Three former members of Van Halen have offered up responses to this week’s news that the group will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March.
First up is this lengthy interview with Sammy. Here’s some of what he had to say:
“I think this is Dave’s night. I think Dave wants it more than anyone, and rightly so. He hasn’t had it that easy since Van Halen. He didn’t get a chance to go out and reinvent himself. So that makes it pretty difficult, and I would imagine he’s gonna try to work this in every direction he can. As long as it doesn’t get ugly, as long as he’s cool about it and respects everyone, and says, ‘Hey, I couldn’t have done it without Eddie, Alex and Michael.’ And I say, ‘I couldn’t have done it without Eddie, Alex and Michael and yourself, Dave, because you were there first. You set us up to be what we were. And they couldn’t have done it without me when Dave left.’ So I think everybody should take that attitude. I think that’s the only hope here, is that everyone wakes up for two seconds and goes, ‘You know what? We did this together, and without one another we probably wouldn’t be in this situation.”
Meanwhile, Mike posted the following message at his blog:
“I was very excited and honored to learn that Van Halen would be inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this March. I want to thank Eddie, Alex, Sammy and Dave. It has been an amazing experience and I am very proud of what we have accomplished. I’m not sure yet how the induction ceremony will work, but I’ll keep everyone posted as I find out the details. A Big MA Toast to all our fans for their tremendous support over the years! Love you all and bottoms up!!” – Michael
And, finally, the typically loquacious Diamond Dave issued this uncharacteristically brief statement:
“It is an honor and a privilege to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.”
Still no word on how the band that puts the “fun” back in “dysfunctional” plans to handle the ceremony. Stay tuned …