Originally Posted by
Terry
Like, Roth and the boys slam out several CVH tunes, then Sammy comes out and gives a monologue about how HIS version of Van Halen was so much better than what the audience just heard. Then Roth and Co. come out and bang out a few more tunes, then Sammy comes back out and yells, "Hey, man! Don't believe that jive you just heard: I was filling stadiums as a solo artist - I headlined the US Festival in 1983, remember?! - and Van Halen were only kinda successful before I hooked up with them!" Then Dave and the Van Halens come out for a few more tunes, then Sammy walks out and says, "Hey, now it's 5150 time!! Remember how Van Halen sold 100 million records when I was in the band?"
It's a good strategy, actually: gives Roth and the band time to rest up, and gives Sammy a chance to come out and do what he really wants to do anyway, while sparing the audience from having to hear Sam Halen's keyboard pop-rock schmaltz.
During intermission, Sammy can entertain the audience by providing a cappella versions of his best-known Van Hagar tunes...or perhaps just a dramatic spoken word presentation of his timeless, thoughtful rock lyrics. Just the thought of Hagar up there onstage, alone, warbling out "When It's Love" gives me goose bumps...or more like a mild case of nauseous diarrhea.