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I was talking with my son today and he asked me why I disliked Sammy Hagar being in Van Halen....So after some thought..(I have to watch my language around the kids) I began telling him the story of what happened way back when. I'm going to share my thoughts...some may agree, most will disagree, but I don't care. This is how I see it.
When Dave left Van Halen I was heartbroken. I didn't know why he decided to bolt, and at the time I thought he just figured he was big enough to break off on his own. Anyway my favorite band was gone, and I wondered what would become of the members. I figured Dave would do very well on his own, but I just couldn't imagine what the remaining members would do without him or who could replace "The Greatest Frontman in Rock History." It was a troubling time indeed, especially knowing they almost had an album in the can.
I remember quite vividly hearing tons of rumors about replacements for Dave...all star record, Patty Smythe (sp?), etc. None of those seemed right in my mind. Then I remember catching Eddie on the Farm Aid benefit, and Hagar was playing with him....didn't think much of it really, just figured they were jamming. Anyway, along comes the announcement that Hagar was going to front the band. I certainly didn't blame Hagar for taking the job...you'd be a fool not to take something that big if you were offered it. I was very curious as to how they would sound, especially knowing Hagar played a bit of guitar himself, you know I thought it could be interesting.
Jump forward a bit and the new Van Hagar song Why Can't This Be Love is on the radio. I remember hearing it and thinking "Where's the blistering guitar?" I couldn't believe it to be honest...that's NOT Van Halen. However, I gave them a chance and bought the album. I could hear glimpses of the old VH, but this was different shit. Not totally awful, but not what I was expecting at all. I had not yet gotten to the point of hating Hagar..but it wouldn't take long.
Ok...here is where it gets hairy....At first, and I can't believe I'm saying this, I thought Hagar was o.k., not spectacular, but not terrible. That changed as soon as I heard the opening of Dreams and Love Walks In. I've always hated ballads of that sort, and I took great pride in the fact that Van HALEN didn't do love ballads. Here comes Sambo, and Eddie pulls that shit out. I was hoping it was just Ed releasing some creative tension, knowing Dave wouldn't stand for that type of song. Boy was I wrong!!
Now, on April 1, 1986 I go to see Van Hagar in concert. I was counting on them playing a kick ass show of Van Halen tunes...however, much to my dismay they don't. Opened the show with You Really Got Me I believe...then later I hear Panama, Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love, and finally Jump. I was like...where the fuck is Runnin' With the Devil...Romeo Delight, Unchained, Hot for Teacher, etc. I was fucking PISSED. Van Hagar plays their new shit, then instead of busting out one of the old tunes they go into Wild Thing. I just couldn't believe they weren't playing what they were known for. Plus, I got REALLY pissed at the way Hagar fucked up the Panama rap, and his refusal to actually sing Jump. Big mistake Samuel Roy Hagar! The only thing I loved in the whole show was the solos...even though I had heard it all before on previous tours. :D
Next show I catch that year is none other than David Lee Roth. Now this show is what I remembered a Van Halen show to be. Dave's stage even had that VH wall of white speakers look. He broke out most everything I wanted to hear at the Van Hagar show. His band kicked total ass...although I didn't care for Gregg Bissonette's playing that much. I thought that Dave had taken all of the magic with him when he left, and I really didn't give Van Hagar much of a chance after that.
So...here's the thing....this is where I really thought Sammy should fuck off. Sammy started getting involved in the Ed, Al, Mike, vs. Dave thing. First off, he had no fucking right to say a damn thing about Dave. I know you guys have seen Live Without a Net....there is a part where Sammy picks up some chick's shoes and asks everyone if the shoes are theirs. He says, "Hey Eddie, are they yours? They sure as hell ain't mine....must have been left up here by someone else," and Eddie is giving him the cut sign..as in "Sam, shut the fuck up." An obvious reference to Dave, I do believe. If I remember correctly he also makes a reference that he has a pair of balls and can't do the splits or a jump or some shit. I haven't seen that video in years..so it's a little cloudy. Anyway, he was making another reference to Dave....which shows NO class.
I guess what I'm trying to say with all of this babbling is, I would not have disliked Hagar so much if he had done two things. One was keep his fucking mouth shut and stay out of the feud. The other was acknowledge the old stuff. His refusal to do any of that besides just a handful of tunes really shows you what kind of person he is. One thing I'll say for Cherone is he did appreciate the old stuff...that's about all I'll say for him though.
Enough from me...my Jack Daniel's is wearing off.
When Dave left Van Halen I was heartbroken. I didn't know why he decided to bolt, and at the time I thought he just figured he was big enough to break off on his own. Anyway my favorite band was gone, and I wondered what would become of the members. I figured Dave would do very well on his own, but I just couldn't imagine what the remaining members would do without him or who could replace "The Greatest Frontman in Rock History." It was a troubling time indeed, especially knowing they almost had an album in the can.
I remember quite vividly hearing tons of rumors about replacements for Dave...all star record, Patty Smythe (sp?), etc. None of those seemed right in my mind. Then I remember catching Eddie on the Farm Aid benefit, and Hagar was playing with him....didn't think much of it really, just figured they were jamming. Anyway, along comes the announcement that Hagar was going to front the band. I certainly didn't blame Hagar for taking the job...you'd be a fool not to take something that big if you were offered it. I was very curious as to how they would sound, especially knowing Hagar played a bit of guitar himself, you know I thought it could be interesting.
Jump forward a bit and the new Van Hagar song Why Can't This Be Love is on the radio. I remember hearing it and thinking "Where's the blistering guitar?" I couldn't believe it to be honest...that's NOT Van Halen. However, I gave them a chance and bought the album. I could hear glimpses of the old VH, but this was different shit. Not totally awful, but not what I was expecting at all. I had not yet gotten to the point of hating Hagar..but it wouldn't take long.
Ok...here is where it gets hairy....At first, and I can't believe I'm saying this, I thought Hagar was o.k., not spectacular, but not terrible. That changed as soon as I heard the opening of Dreams and Love Walks In. I've always hated ballads of that sort, and I took great pride in the fact that Van HALEN didn't do love ballads. Here comes Sambo, and Eddie pulls that shit out. I was hoping it was just Ed releasing some creative tension, knowing Dave wouldn't stand for that type of song. Boy was I wrong!!
Now, on April 1, 1986 I go to see Van Hagar in concert. I was counting on them playing a kick ass show of Van Halen tunes...however, much to my dismay they don't. Opened the show with You Really Got Me I believe...then later I hear Panama, Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love, and finally Jump. I was like...where the fuck is Runnin' With the Devil...Romeo Delight, Unchained, Hot for Teacher, etc. I was fucking PISSED. Van Hagar plays their new shit, then instead of busting out one of the old tunes they go into Wild Thing. I just couldn't believe they weren't playing what they were known for. Plus, I got REALLY pissed at the way Hagar fucked up the Panama rap, and his refusal to actually sing Jump. Big mistake Samuel Roy Hagar! The only thing I loved in the whole show was the solos...even though I had heard it all before on previous tours. :D
Next show I catch that year is none other than David Lee Roth. Now this show is what I remembered a Van Halen show to be. Dave's stage even had that VH wall of white speakers look. He broke out most everything I wanted to hear at the Van Hagar show. His band kicked total ass...although I didn't care for Gregg Bissonette's playing that much. I thought that Dave had taken all of the magic with him when he left, and I really didn't give Van Hagar much of a chance after that.
So...here's the thing....this is where I really thought Sammy should fuck off. Sammy started getting involved in the Ed, Al, Mike, vs. Dave thing. First off, he had no fucking right to say a damn thing about Dave. I know you guys have seen Live Without a Net....there is a part where Sammy picks up some chick's shoes and asks everyone if the shoes are theirs. He says, "Hey Eddie, are they yours? They sure as hell ain't mine....must have been left up here by someone else," and Eddie is giving him the cut sign..as in "Sam, shut the fuck up." An obvious reference to Dave, I do believe. If I remember correctly he also makes a reference that he has a pair of balls and can't do the splits or a jump or some shit. I haven't seen that video in years..so it's a little cloudy. Anyway, he was making another reference to Dave....which shows NO class.
I guess what I'm trying to say with all of this babbling is, I would not have disliked Hagar so much if he had done two things. One was keep his fucking mouth shut and stay out of the feud. The other was acknowledge the old stuff. His refusal to do any of that besides just a handful of tunes really shows you what kind of person he is. One thing I'll say for Cherone is he did appreciate the old stuff...that's about all I'll say for him though.
Enough from me...my Jack Daniel's is wearing off.
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