Sammy Hagar on The Big Interview
Premieres Tues. Feb. 23 at 8/7c | AXS TV

The Red Rocker has a life of fame and fortune outside of music. He sits down with Dan Rather to discuss his life and times with Van Halen.

“At the time, as a solo artist, I was really as big as Van Halen”

That must be some good tequila….

Sammy had three platinum albums before 5150: Montrose, Standing Hampton, and VOA. (1x platinum)

1984 alone outsold his entire catalog to that point, so there’s no way that this fiction can stand up to scrutiny. I will say this though… his belief in himself is impressive and was directly responsible for him having the balls to “succeed” DLR.

wjamflan: That must be some good tequila….

Sammy had three platinum albums before 5150: Montrose, Standing Hampton, and VOA. (1x platinum)

1984 alone outsold his entire catalog to that point, so there’s no way that this fiction can stand up to scrutiny. I will say this though… his belief in himself is impressive and was directly responsible for him having the balls to “succeed” DLR.

The key is that he’s remembering this as if it’s 1983 or 1984. Back then, Sammy was playing many of the same venues, and even playing multiple nights in some cities.

If you really looked into it, I think you’d see that VH was playing more multiple nights, but at the time, both bands were doing very well. Ultimately, “1984″ went on to smoke the SH tour though.

ron: The key is that he’s remembering this as if it’s 1983 or 1984.Back then, Sammy was playing many of the same venues, and even playing multiple nights in some cities.

If you really looked into it, I think you’d see that VH was playing more multiple nights, but at the time, both bands were doing very well.Ultimately, “1984″ went on to smoke the SH tour though.

I remember 1983-84 just fine. SH wasn’t even in the same universe of popularity as Van Halen. Eddie Money and Loverboy were more popular and had more hits than Sammy at that time. Where are they now? I don’t need to look into it, I lived it. This is revisionist rock and roll history, plain and simple. The only reason Sammy is still known today is because he slid into Patty Smythe’s spot in VH when she turned them down. Clearly, they did not have their wits about them and were desperate. It worked out fine for those who love that era, but who is he kidding? This shit needs to stop…..

wjamflan: I remember 1983-84 just fine. SH wasn’t even in the same universe of popularity as Van Halen. Eddie Money and Loverboy were more popular and had more hits than Sammy at that time. Where are they now? I don’t need to look into it, I lived it. This is revisionist rock and roll history, plain and simple. The only reason Sammyis still known today is because he slid into Patty Smythe’s spot in VH when she turned them down. Clearly, they did not have their wits about them and were desperate. It worked out fine for those who love that era, but who is he kidding? This shit needs to stop…..

VH with Sammy, whether you liked them or not, were very, very successful. It worked out fine for Eddie and Alex. They did have their wits about them.

I agree. They saw commercial success with Sammy. But that’s not what I was talking about. I was referencing Sammy saying he was “as big as Van Halen” BEFORE joining the band. That’s a complete load of shite….

VH with Roth were bigger than Sam solo.

VH with Sam were bigger than Sam solo.

Sam solo in the early 80′s was bigger than current Sam solo / Chickenfoot / Circle.

Did anyone watch it all?

Did Sammy talk more about VH and was the interview before he wished Ed happy birthday or after?

PT5150: was the interview before he wished Ed happy birthday or after?

The interview took place on Feb 10th according to Mr. Hagar.

I remember 83/84 well, and while they may have played the same venue’s, and Sam playing multiple nights here or VH playing multiple nights there, it was a bitch trying to get VH tickets and you could just walk up for Sam tix. Plus who did Sam have opening? That was a big deal in those days, and Autograph wasn’t selling any tickets if you know what I mean.

If nothing else, and I like Sammy, he keeps the VH conversation alive and well.

mcs5150: VH with Sammy, whether you liked them or not, were very, very successful. It worked out fine for Eddie and Alex. They did have their wits about them.

I believe this would have happened no matter who was up front. Imagine if they had went the other way and went down the hard rock path with ‘new singer’ – IMO, they’d have a lot more respect over going the pop-rock path. No one I’ve ever met yearns to crank up ‘when it’s love’ and let the good times roll.

wjamflan: I remember 1983-84 just fine. SH wasn’t even in the same universe of popularity as Van Halen. Eddie Money and Loverboy were more popular and had more hits than Sammy at that time. Where are they now? I don’t need to look into it, I lived it. This is revisionist rock and roll history, plain and simple. The only reason Sammyis still known today is because he slid into Patty Smythe’s spot in VH when she turned them down. Clearly, they did not have their wits about them and were desperate. It worked out fine for those who love that era, but who is he kidding? This shit needs to stop…..

This is how I feel as well… There’s so much van hagar available at the retail level and pro-shot footage online that it makes it extremely difficult for a VH newbie to really get to know what Classic VH was all about. They totally miss the spirit of the band and, overall, get stuck with really poor lyrics, forgettable soft-rock riffs and sappy love songs.

I think Sam’s ego always conflicts with the facts. He certainly has a distorted memory… always leaning his way.

VAiN: I believe this would have happened no matter who was up front. Imagine if they had went the other way and went down the hard rock path with ‘new singer’ – IMO, they’d have a lot more respect over going the pop-rock path.

---

---

Classic hard rock was a thing of the past by the late ’80s.