Van Halen's Sammy Hagar Humbles Himself
While never particularly beloved by pundits or critics, Van Halen have earned the ultimate people's band induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
"I'm the luckiest man in the world," former frontman Sammy Hagar tells Spinner. "I've been singing for the better part of my life, and I get paid extremely well to do it. I had regular jobs when I was young, but it's been a long, long time since I had to worry about where my next paycheck was coming from, and not many people are lucky enough to have that advantage. I'm just some guy who opens his mouth and gets paid."
Hagar and his Van Halen mates are rather humble about the Rock Hall honor, giving more credit to the band's fellow 2007 inductees. "It's pretty amazing," he says. "The fact that R.E.M. can be as functional as they are after this long is really incredible. And Patti Smith? Anyone who doesn't fall into line, she'll definitely chew 'em out [laughs]. She's one of the great, true rockers. I'm really looking forward to meeting her. Whether she'd like to meet me or not is another matter [laughs]. We're kind of the odd band out -- we're the rock-star band, not that I really think of myself that way. You've got art, and you've got a bunch of nuts!"
Read our exclusive Q&A with Van Halen's Sammy Hagar
Posted by Jessica Robertson on Mar 1st 2007 4:44PM
Filed under: News, Exclusive, Rock Hall
Reader Comments(1 of 2)
Lawrence Helmat 3-02-2007
Sammy Hager = Humble. Who wouldve thunk? - LH
tawnya mcgheeat 3-05-2007
thanks you
Rickyat 3-05-2007
Never seen a performance I didn't enjoy. keep Up the good work!
George Nitroheadat 3-05-2007
I truly think the rock hall has lost it! I don't think pop,hiphop,or RAP belongs in the Rock & roll hall of fame!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Daveat 3-05-2007
R.E.M. Hall of fame? Read Ian Coplands Great book "WILD THING" to find out why not. Bunch of crap that a band like this goes in, and bands that influenced them are nowhere near being inducted. Let it be a rock and roll hall of fame and not a "who can we get in to sell more tickets" museum. Let's see, if you can name just one band who should be in but isn't, then get in line behind them,REM.
This shouldn't be about selling more albums, or being more hip. It should be about longevity, what you contributed that got rock n roll where it is today. For instance, KISS is a rock n roll cliche' because they invented everything that is now cliche'. Your name in lights on stage, KISS was first and biggest. Drum risers that "rise", thank KISS. Fireworks look great at the superbowl. Prince, call Kiss and thank them. How many kids wanted to be Gene Simmons and ended up with their own HUGE bands ( c'mon pick aband and ask). Without KISS there would not have been Marilyn Manson, Metallica, Pearl Jam, Poison (or any other 80's hair bands), Garth Brooks. Van Halen got their first record deal because of GENE SIMMONS, although Edddie won't admit it today. He used to scream it from the roof tops when he was riding his coat tails.
Even if you didn't like KISS every band has a duty to live up to their live shows. Nobody who has ever seen their show, has ever walked away and looked at a live show the same way. They spend the rest of their lives comparing every show they see to KISS'.
Anyway, Gene said it best. It isn't popular to admit that you like KISS. They are the most successful band NEVER to have appeared on ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE. Someday they will get their due but until then they will laugh all the way to the bank. Let's see if Gene gets a THANK YOU from VAN HALEN. I doubt it 'cause it just isn't cool.
DAVE
chris j saariat 3-06-2007
david lee roth has enough ego for all the members of van halen!
it's just too bad that he can't sing anymore!
i loved the early vh until 1984 came out and then they got hagar-- soo sweeet! a singer, song writer and guitar player too much!
sammy should be in the the rock hall for his own stuff! when van halen was starting out hagar had a live album out already!
kiss should have been in the hall awhile ago but with so many members what do you do?
to me it should be ace, peter, gene, paul and eric carr maybe vinnie too but no others!
gary steinhagenat 3-06-2007
rap and hip hop do not belong in the rock n roll hall of fame. what about real rock classics such as Cheap Trick, REO Speedwagon and Styx. These guys have been performing for 30 yrs and still have a fantastic following. Lets see the rap and hip hop people be around for 25-30 yrs and still draw big crowds
Leslieat 3-06-2007
What the HELL!! All music is an art, expression, talent. That is my opinion, and I am opinionated lol I just heard a month or so ago that -V-H- will be doing 70 shows in 40 cities with DLR well This shit better happen I saw 1984, and I grad. HSchool in 86 I have been to tons of rock concerts then and now. My first and I'm a proud Catholic girl, who was also in a Catholic School(We are better at hiding and sneaking--lol) Was OZZY Diary of a Madman 8th grade Stone sober I was for that one didn't score that day. But the last 14 yrs no drugs or booze unless by doc. Thanks God. And I have seen Ozz fot the past 4 yrs Awesome nostalgia and fun. Boy things are not like they used to be. I told this one "little girl" before you were born I was seeing these guys and If you would of told me to stay in my seat yadayadayada I would just giggle and say ok and wave to ya later from the front floor Anyway IWANT TO SEE THE ORIGINAL VH W/THE ROTH MAN COMETH, OR DIAMOND DAVE DECSENDS I Love ya all, but get over that shit hopefully the ones that love ya are not dead just kiddin i'm 38 going on 17 sometimes when I am able. Sam You are great I saw you at monsters of rock woooo crazy beer and ya know what days but awesome It was to damn HOT that day to catch any buzz, but get hosed down and Rock, Bte the way my cig pack got wet and I had some stuff in it I really wanted for later, But the kicker was this girl asking if we saw her shoe, I had to laugh body to body people and I just was like yea sure what do you drink, no think hehehe to the other vocalist SUCKCKCKEDDD!!!! But I want to see you guys originally again with the Diamond Dave and You had great harmony to get her too! GROW THE F--- UP GIVE US OUR LAST WISHES, US OLD VH FANS GOT MORE MONEY, I HOPE. IF YOU COME WE WILL PAY DUH LOVE TO SEE EDDIES SON, WHAT ABOUT MIKE? CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG AS RODNEY KING SAID--WOW-- THAT IS VERY PROLIFIC WOULDN'T YA SAY. THATS FOR OUR WORLD BY-THE-WAY ONE ACT OF KINDNESS FOLLOWS ANOTHER:)))) WELL IT DOES I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU GUYS AND IF IT FALLS THROUGH LIKE IT DID WHEN I WANTED TO SEE DAVE AND SAMMY AT NYS FAIR, AND I LIVE IN FALLS--CANCELLED THE NIGHT BEFORE THE BUFF. SHOW FAIR WAS THE NEXT ONE. MUST BE THE CHEMICALS OR THE MIGHTY NIAGARA HUH!! GET IT TOGETHER YOU ARE SUPPOSEDLY PROS!!!!!! SRY I RAMBLE BUT, I MIGHT HAVE TO CALL TONY ON YER ASSH!
russ nat 3-06-2007
Am I the only one who thinks its a shame that there is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
ron kat 3-06-2007
VH rocks
Markat 3-07-2007
I was a fan of VH with Dave, but they got class and style when they went with Sammy. Eddie's always been an amazing player, but Dave was always a one trick pony. Sammy could sing raunch too, but he also sang about spirituality, love, politics, longing and loss. I'm glad I got to see them back together one more time a couple years ago. When VH tours with Dave, I'll be in Cabo. Sorry Ed.
Patat 3-10-2007
Wow VH in the hall huh?? HEEEEEEEEELLLLLLL yesssss, Sammy and Anthony deserves it way more than the other 2 ego maniacs of the band. I love VH there my faviorite band of all time but to think they all just could'nt get along breaks my heart. Sammy and Anthony will always rock on so good for them.
JBat 3-10-2007
Weak, weak, weak...
jenfer5264at 3-10-2007
This is to "Dave"...You said it all! KISS should have been inducted YEARS ago, and it's a damn shame that Grandmaster Flash is inducted before them! Are these people on crack? The only song I remember from them was "Flashlight"..was there more? C'mon, "Fame" people! Get your priorities straight! KISS RULES!
ROGERat 3-10-2007
VH BAND YES IN THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL-LOVE THE BAND,I HOPE EDDIE GETS IHIS HEAD OUT OF HIS BUTT-AND THINGS ABOUT SAMMY AND MIKE(THE OTHER HALF). THOSE GUYS ARE A EQUAL PART OF VH-INCLUDING DLR.THE PART WILL START MONDAY NIGHT YES VH IN THE R AND R HALL OF FAME
Erikaat 3-11-2007
If Van Halen can be the Rock In Roll Hall of Fame then I feel that Yngwie J. Malmsteen should be too.
clemat 3-11-2007
its a ROCK N ROLL hall of fame not a RAP hall of fame. rap is NOT rock. thats like saying dolly parton should be in the rock hall. what are you people thinking
Scott Evansat 3-13-2007
Sammy Hagar was good for his time in Van Halen, but that tired sappy stuff he writes, went the way of N'Sync. I can't stand listening to the Van Hagar crap anymore. It makes me ill to hear Dreams, and all those other mushy love songs that Hagar wrote. I turn off the radio when I hear any of his 'masterpieces' like Amsterdam and Cabo Wabo. It's like all POP music, it gets overplayed and fades sway. Sammy's time has come and gone. Now he just plays to the overwight, over 40 crowd of stoners and Raider fans. People who have to drink tequilla and smoke pot every day to escape their shitty lives. Sammy should be ashamed to get on stage to take what Classic Van Halen created and call it his own.
David Parksat 3-13-2007
It's a damn shame that the greatest rock band ever didn't show up...I've been looking forward to Sammy, Dave, Mike, Ed and Al doing once huge jam session onstage and it turning into a full blown all out VH tour...and it so could have. Like Mike and Sam said, "maybe if he comes out of this on the good side, "we'll get our friend back"...I would love to see it! Van Halen is the greatest rock band ever, with Dave and with Sammy...there should not be, "better or worse"...that was the two greatest rock bands, THE BEST...God Bless Sammy and Mike for showing up and pouring out more class than the remaining memebers of VH...or more class than anyone ever...someone call me when it's 5150 time again...dp
jon tat 3-13-2007
dear sammy hagar and to van helen
iv ben a long time fan of yours for minny years now i drive long hall. iv got a xm raido and at nigth it help's me out and i rely enjoy everything
your doing,so please don't stop
{p.s i cant drive 55}