Sammy Hagar Slams David Lee Roth’s ‘Bulls—‘ Stage Persona

[danielleesale]

From https://ultimateclassicrock.com/samm...stage-persona/
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SAMMY HAGAR SLAMS DAVID LEE ROTH’S ‘BULLS—‘ STAGE PERSONA
Bryan Rolli
Published: June 29, 2021

Sammy Hagar minced no words while discussing his Van Halen predecessor David Lee Roth in a new interview, saying Roth's voice "hasn't aged well" and accusing the singer of "pretending" with his "totally bullshit" stage persona.

Hagar took his jabs at Roth during an interview with Brazilian internet show Inside With Paulo Baron. Discussing the differences between the two frontmen, Hagar said of Roth, “He’s a real character. He's a showman. He's all show. I enjoy him. But you talk about cringing. I can't imagine how he feels when he looks at some of them old videos, the way he was dancing and moving, and the way he was singing live sometimes. I don't know how he feels about all that, but I don't think he cares.

“The difference between him and I [is] I sincerely care,” Hagar continued. “What is important to me is enlightening and elevating people spiritually and making them happy and making them have big dreams, making them want to be better themselves. And my goal with everything I do is to bring that to people and change their life, if I can. I don't think [Roth] cares about anything like that. And that's the difference between our presence. He's very much into himself, very much into being a showman and doesn't really care. I don't know what he cares about, I really don't. I don't know him. I have no idea who that guy is. I don't think anyone does. But he entertains me. I enjoy watching him do stupid shit."

You can watch the interview below.



Hagar joined Van Halen in 1985, soon after Roth's acrimonious departure. The Hagar-fronted lineup released four albums — 1986’s 5150, 1988’s OU812, 1991’s For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge and 1995’s Balance — all of which topped the Billboard 200 and went multiplatinum.

When asked what he thinks when he sees Roth on TV, Hagar said, "He's not what he's saying he is; he's pretending. He's totally bullshit. Everything he does is thought up and it's an image. It's nothing to do with who he is; he is not exposing who and what he is."

Hagar said he saw Roth's true colors when the two frontmen teamed up for their disastrous 2002 co-headlining tour, Song for Song, the Heavyweight Champs of Rock and Roll. Tensions rose throughout the calamitous trek, with both singers dissing each other in the press and avoiding each other backstage. In his 2011 book Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock, Hagar accused Roth of consistently ducking his requests to join him onstage for a few songs.

"When we did our tour together, I thought it was gonna be so much fun," Hagar told Baron. "I thought, 'If he's anything like he claims to be, we're gonna have a good time.' But he wasn't. He was the worst guy to be around. He wasn't ever around. He hides out. You never see him. He puts on this whole big front and comes out: 'I'm here! David Lee Roth is here!' And then he goes and hides again. Very strange.

"I don't think he's happy," he continued. "He's never been married, never had a relationship, never had children. It's, like, man, how do you live like that? I don't know. I'm a family man. And I love women. I love women and children." When cohost Regis Tadeu said it was "so sad" to see Roth in his current state, Hagar responded, "He hasn't aged well, his voice. I don't know. It's hard."

In the same interview, Hagar also apologized for exposing the depths of Eddie Van Halen’s alcoholism in his book. While Hagar insisted that the account is “all true,” he also said, “If I wrote the book today, I would only put the good of Eddie Van Halen, because he was such a brilliant, genius guitar player and such a great friend and a great partner — until everything went wrong, like everything else.”

Hagar added that he "[wants] Van Halen to go down as one of the greatest rock bands of all time," including both his and Roth's eras. (He did not mention his short-lived successor, Gary Cherone, who sang on 1998's Van Halen III.) "I want Eddie to be the legend and get the respect that he deserves, and the only way to preserve that is by being kind about the past. ... God rest his soul. He brought a lot to this planet, to this business of rock 'n' roll, Eddie Van Halen did. And Dave was a part of it. It's too bad what he's become. But that's different. That's not Van Halen anymore."

[Dave's Dreidel]

So people are still thinking Sam can play nice with DLR for an Ed tribute?

No chance.

[James in New York]

Yikes!

[Dave's Dreidel]

I apologize for talking shit about Ed, so here is a large helping of me talking shit about DLR. Lol.

I am sure DLR will come up with some comment in his next comic strip. Yee haw.

As for single with no children, I now a couple guys in their 50's with no kids, and they are damn happy, there's more than one way to be happy.

[Edword]

Gotta say that I caught the bug bad during the Van Hagar years because it was all I had access to. And, I loved it. But, after Dave's return, I rarely even re-visit the Hagar era albums. Sammy is simply enternally insecure and frankly, I think jealous that Dave made 3 tours and an album work with Van Halen after his departure in 2004. Dave has always had swagger and panache. Sam is and always has been...corny, mediocre as a personality. Just listen to them talk. Dave is thinking and speaking in 4 dimensions. And, the man is DEEP when you listen. Sam....has never said anything interesting or memorable into a microphone or in an interview. He comes off as a guy TRYING to be cool. Dave just IS cool. He wreaks of insecurity. Daves oozes confidence.

Sam is a better singer. Yes. But, as a lyricist, and as a front man there is NO contest. Dave across the board. Both younger Dave and Older Dave. The fact that Sam STILL talks about this simply confirms how much it drives him nuts that Dave is THE man. Vegas schtick and all. Diamond Dave versus a beach bumb...tough choice. And, has Sam listened to himself sing recently? That Catalina concert was embarrassing. Vocally and physically. People who live in glass houses, Sam....

[Number 47]

Blabbermouth is loving your attention, fools. There is another thread with all this that James started... and it was actually very civil this morning.

Fuck that shit rag write up and watch the video. At least be mad at Sam himself and not words. It's a great interview and Sam went off the rails. So what!

Even I was taken aback... he's was being a dick.

Blabbermouth licks Rolling Stones ass ring.

[Number 47]

I apologize for talking shit about Ed, so here is a large helping of me talking shit about DLR. Lol.

I am sure DLR will come up with some comment in his next comic strip. Yee haw.

As for single with no children, I now a couple guys in their 50's with no kids, and they are damn happy, there's more than one way to be happy.

Sam lost it. He's can't be like that. Those comments were uncalled for regardless of what ever his point was. Ego and Spanish radio?

[JUNGLE DRUMMER]

So people are still thinking Sam can play nice with DLR for an Ed tribute?

No chance.

I dont know why anyone should be surprised. Sam has proven in countless interviews since 2007 that he is the one full of bullshit. I ALMOST was ready to give him the benefit of the doubt after his latest comments about his book and Ed. Nope, fuck him and I really don't give a fuck what kind of spin the Sam guys on here will give it. Fuck Sam and I'm glad he never shared a stage with Ed and Al after 2004.

[Rokgtar]

Sam still can’t believe that he’s second banana to Roth... it eats his ass up 24x7

[Number 47]

Sam still can’t believe that he’s second banana to Roth... it eats his ass up 24x7

I felt that this time. He seemed to be blowing off the history of the band as second fiddle... no decorum.

[Edword]

I dont know why anyone should be surprised. Sam has proven in countless interviews since 2007 that he is the one full of bullshit. I ALMOST was ready to give him the benefit of the doubt after his latest comments about his book and Ed. Nope, fuck him and I really don't give a fuck what kind of spin the Sam guys on here will give it. Fuck Sam and I'm glad he never shared a stage with Ed and Al after 2004.

And, isn't it interesting that Dave is the one Al communicates with since Ed's passing? Not Sam or Mike. It's Dave. That really says a lot more about the dynamic and the personalities at play here than all the Sam vs Dave arguments.

[Number 47]

hearsay

[Edword]

hearsay

Right from Dave, himself.

[JUNGLE DRUMMER]

And, isn't it interesting that Dave is the one Al communicates with since Ed's passing? Not Sam or Mike. It's Dave. That really says a lot more about the dynamic and the personalities at play here than all the Sam vs Dave arguments.

Yep. He and Al have known each other almost 50 years and they paid their dues together..

And I might be wrong, but since 2007 i only remember Dave even talking about Sam twice. Once on the red carpet at the VMAs with his Hamburger Helper comment which to be fair was in response to a "gotcha" question by the chucklehead interviewing him. The other pretty sure was on a Rogan podcast where he compared he and Sam's songwriting styles to Lennon and McCartney. He meant it as a compliment.

[Brett]

I’m cringing at where this thread is going to go.