“Being Sammy” interview
“Everything I do is . . . kind of like a manual to the way I live,” says the 61-year-old singer, who is a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer thanks to his 13 years fronting Van Halen. “Hey, you want to live like me? You don’t have to be rich and famous. You just need to consolidate your time so that you can spend as much quality time doing the things you want to.
“And when you do that, man, life gets really, really fun.”
Since emerging into the public eye in the early 1970s as the front man for hard rockers Montrose, Hagar has amassed a 26-album discography, with 16 of his own — including Cosmic Universal Fashion (2008) — that have occasionally yielded hits such as I’ll Fall in Love Again (1981), Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy (1982) and the anthem I Can’t Drive 55 (1984).
Besides Montrose and Van Halen, Hagar also has been involved in several supergroup projects, including HSAS with Journey guitarist Neal Schon, Foghat bassist Kenny Aaronson and former Santana drummer Michael Shrieve, and Planet Us with Schon, guitarist Joe Satriani, Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony and Journey drummer Deen Castronovo.
His latest outing, Chickenfoot, teams Hagar with Satriani, Anthony and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, while Hagar and Anthony — who were the only two Van Halen principals to attend the group’s 2007 Hall of Fame induction — have also played live in groups called Los Tres Gusanos (The Three Worms) and The Other Half.
The “Red Rocker” hasn’t limited his fun to music, however. He had built his Cabo Wabo Tequila into the second-best-selling premium brand in the United States by 2007, when he sold an 80 per cent stake to Gruppo Campari for $80 million. He has opened Cabo Wabo nightclubs and restaurants in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, where he holds a weeklong birthday celebration every year, and in Fresno, Calif.
“I’m so driven,” the twice-married father of four and grandfather of two says. “There’s so much I want to do, and there’s nothing I feel holding me back, nothing with my age or my physical health or my strength or my enthusiasm, my talent.”
The key, he says, is that he’s having that fun on his own terms.
“When I left Van Halen (in 1996),” Hagar says, “I had fame and fortune enough for 10 lifetimes. I thought, ‘Why do I need to keep going out and doing this?’ It really came down to my love for what I do: for the music, to entertain. I’m not out there to try to grow and get bigger or have a No. 1 record anymore. I just want to go out there and keep my people happy and have this kind of fun and, as long as people want to see it, I’m happy to do it.
“As a matter of fact, I’d be unhappy if I couldn’t do it.”
Cosmic Universal Fashion is an expression of the independence Hagar has carved for himself.
The 10-track set certainly takes Hagar through a variety of creative twists and turns. Among them: a cover of the 1986 Beastie Boys hit Fight for Your Right (to Party) that was inspired by his own 24365, also on the album, which itself was an attempt “to outdo Fight for Your Right, which I don’t think I did.
“My band’s been doing that song for about four years in concert,” Hagar says. “Any time we’re playing a gig and the show starts to feel like it’s getting stale, I kick into that song, just to try to get everybody off the hook.”
Cosmic Universal Fashion is also filled with guest appearances: ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons sits in for Switch on the Light, tour manager Paul Binder sings lead on Fight for Your Right and Michael Anthony, Billy Duffy of the Cult and Matt Sorum of Guns N’ Roses, the Cult and Velvet Revolver rock out on Loud. Two of the songs, Psycho Vertigo and Peephole, hail from sessions for the aborted Planet Us album.
As for the title track, Cosmic Universal Fashion was a songwriting collaboration between Hagar and Iraqi rocker Steven Lost, who were brought together by Miles Copeland, manager of the Police and Sting.
“Miles has this world-beat label,” Hagar says, “and he called me and said, ‘I have this fellow who’s written these songs and he wants you to collaborate on one of them or all of them.’ I don’t normally do that, but he said, ‘It’s awesome.’ He sent it to me, and I was instantly inspired and I instantly finished the song.
Not to him, at least. Nonetheless Right Now (1991), Hagar’s buoyantly optimistic Van Halen hit, was used by the campaigns of both major candidates during the recent U.S. presidential election. Eddie and Alex Van Halen issued a statement criticizing the McCain campaign’s use of the song, but Hagar — who says that he was a financial supporter of president George W. Bush’s 2004 campaign but was disappointed by the president’s second term — says that he was flattered.
“When you write a song like that, that says ‘Right now we need a change’ or ‘Take control of your life right now, don’t wait,’ it’s for the public and for the people and for the world. It works for anybody, including the president of the United States.”
Hagar’s future plans are more musical than political, however: He and his band, the Wabos, plan to tour to support Cosmic Universal Fashion. Prospects for further Van Halen reunions remain “unlikely,” he says, after a tenuous 2004 tour, but Hagar continues to play occasional shows with Montrose.
Chickenfoot, meanwhile, is in the process of finishing an album and will probably do some live shows as well.
Even more projects are possible in both the near and long term, Hagar adds.
“I think, when you put everything together, you feel like, ‘Wow, Sammy’s free. He can do anything he wants,”‘ Hagar says. “It really feels like that more than at any time of my life, really.
“You know, if I never get a new fan as long as I live, I’m OK,” Hagar says. “I just don’t want to lose the ones I’ve got. I want to keep them there, keep them happy, and I’ll be happy and it’s all good.”
Filed under: Cabo Wabo, Chickenfoot, Sammy Hagar
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March 5th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Let the bashing begin……
March 5th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Bravo Sam.
It’s bittersweet to hear. I loved you with Halen and I like you with these other projects.
I look back at some of the older stuff with Halen and see how happy everyone was…people change, you included, not just Ed- and the wheels fall off. Life is a journey. So if this is the present, and you are happy..more power to you.
Always respected Mikey..so it’s nice to see the friendship you formed with him over the years..
Now my selfish plug..go to Ed’s wedding..which he wouldn’t invite you to unfortunately, because he’s a stubborn goat..and maybe rekindle the fire..because as good as all this other side stuff is..you know when it’s 3:16 in the morning and you decide to throw in some of the past on the cd…it really does sound good…but you are right…you need to be happy. It began with a friendship…maybe it will happen again.
But you are good Sam…so thank you for all the music through the years. Maybe Ed has truely cleaned up and feels the same way.
You never know with you guys.
Peace.
March 5th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
I guess I’d be happy too if I sold a stake in my tequila company for $80 million.
March 5th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
Sammy is such a great sprit and we are all very lucky to have this man around! I have never missed a concert in Kansas City since his Van Halen days, and he never has let a crowd down. I just wish him and Ed could get along and make the music we all miss!!!
March 5th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
cant wait to hear chickenfoot its gonna be big
March 5th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
I think Sam is on the right path. It’s about family and friends and making music you dig and the fans dig too. If you can keep a roof over your head and few bucks in your pocket you must be doing it right. Send Ed a toaster or a blender for his wedding…just to let him know there is no hard feelings…LOL!
March 5th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Who read the article?
I didn’t.
March 5th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
ERICK HEY DUDE DONT BE DOWN ON YOURSELF LOTS OF PEOPLE CAN NOT READ!
March 5th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
Rock On Red!!!!, I don’t care what you’re haters have said.!!
March 5th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
While Ed plays the part of the depressed artist (or at least has in the past), Sammy seems more interested in just enjoying life and getting all he can out of it. Listen to the man’s lyrics.
March 5th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Can’t drive 55 is a decent song. He should have stopped back then at his peak and retire from the music industry and move to cabowabo. Too bad that didn’t happen.
March 6th, 2009 at 6:27 am
If I had a couple hundred million in the bank,I’d be happy & care-free too! He has so much in common with his “FANS”….Not!
March 6th, 2009 at 8:09 am
how can you retire from something you love to do airwick
March 6th, 2009 at 11:13 am
It’s so great to see a positive force in music, and someone who is telling you “go be happy”. He’s right that you don’t need the money to do it. Most people who got 80 million dollars wouldn’t be any happier than they are today. Yes, there’d be more freedom, but not necessarily more happiness. Whether you believe it or not, it’s 100% true.
And to all the bashers… I feel sorry for you folks. Sammy is making his fans happy - if you don’t like his music or attitude, totally cool. You prefer DLR? Great! If you were happy and satisfied in your own lives, you wouldn’t care enough to bash. Let people live their lives and go find something that makes you happy. We all deserve it.
Go Sammy!! Keep doing your thing. And while I think CUF was sub-par, your overall catalog is unmatched (IMO).
Can’t wait for Chickenfoot!
March 6th, 2009 at 11:40 am
LordFL?
Very well put! Cheers Bro!
March 6th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
i think we’d all love a shot a ‘being Sam’…
March 6th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
The tequila made me do it!
March 6th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
I *knew* there was something about Sammy that I didn’t like and it finally hit me. He actually gave money to G-Dub’s campaign.
March 6th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
This is still the man writing lyrics for Chickenfoot. Any good melody they come up with will be destroyed by his bullshit lame-ass lyrics.
March 6th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
I don’t know, something just isn’t right with this guy. Maybe his act would be cute if he was sixteen or maybe eighteen, but come on. Sammy, grow up already!
March 7th, 2009 at 8:54 am
Although I prefer the Roth era to the Van Hagar era, I think Sammy has some really great material. 5150 is an excellent album. The Live without a Net DVD is still fun to watch. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Sammy because of his reliability and positive attitude. He will never dissapoint his fans, because he realizes that none of this would have been possible without them. Unfortunately, the fans tolerate too much bad treatment from Eddie and Roth. It is sad that we still went out and paid ridiculous prices to see the “reunion” after all the heartbreak they have put us through. Thank you Sammy for appreciating your fans.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
All Sammy cares about is making & keeping his money thats why he voted 4 GDub ! Hes A right wing asshole thats not Rock n roll baby!! Rock n roll is is about doing what u want and nobody telling u what to do ! Sammys so rich now hes above the law he just dosn’t want to pay taxes !!!!!
March 8th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
`HEY STEW ,ERIK AND SCAR YOU ALL ARE NOTHING BUT A GROUP OF NUTT SACK NIBBLIN,DAVE KNOB SHINNING HATERS PROBALLY ALL DIVORCED AND AT YOUR HE MAN WOMAN HATERS CLUB DO NOTHIN AT YOUR WEEKLY MEETINGS BUT BASH ON SAMMY, CAUSE ALL YOUR WOMEN KEPT CALLIN OUT SAMMY WHEN THEIR FAKING AN ORGASIM IN THE SACK WITH YOU THREE AMIGOS!
March 8th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Hey Roger, nope I’m married for a long time and you should see my wife. You’d be very jealous. No problems there my friend.
I guess you’re all upset because in your heart you know that Sammy can in no way be compared to Dave.
VAN HALEN = EVH, AVH, DLR, MA (or WVH)
That’s the bottom line.
Sammy and his chickenfries should in my opinion not be on this website.
March 8th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
First off I love Dave Era Van Halen And Sammy Era too! This was Two different Bands totally.I have all Dave’s solo stuff and have all Sammy’s stuff Pre VH and Past! That said anyone that has been to Cabo and experienced a birthday bash will tell you what I will. Yearly he does 6 to 9 shows for FREE That Rock The House! When was the last time The Brother’s have done anything for free or for the Fans !! The last Van Halen tour was rediculess $$$$ I guess they had to make up for the time off!!! and the way they F@%ked mike is bull they had the chance to make the tour great for the fans and they messed that up too. I have nothing bad to say about Wolfgang it was not his fault he could have been there with Mike if it was that important for Ed to play with his kid. (Sam don’t kick Mona out when Mike Comes out to play)!!
Enough said More Music Please !!
March 9th, 2009 at 3:24 am
Some folks just have nothing better to do than to bash him. But, I’m sure he’s not losing any sleep because a few people are not his fans. He’s got plenty of fans including myself who will always be. Why some people are so bitter about Sam we will never know. Live and let live that’s a great motto to live by. Can I get an Amen?
March 9th, 2009 at 9:42 am
Amen
But I don’t want to read anything on Nickelback here too. They are also a bunch of winers.
I’d like to read and see stuff on VH 1976-1984 and 2007-present. And I don’t think that I’m the only real VH fan here.
March 9th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Loud (from CUF) is one of the best songs Sammy has ever done. I kind of wish that band, with Sorum and Duffy was doing an album, but you can’t deny Satch and Smith are great too.
As for the rest of you freakin idiots, shut the F up. Who cares. Sam rules. Dave rules. Gary F’N Rules. I NEVER see people who only like Sammy going into posts and bitching that they only like Dave. I wonder why that is?
The only real VH fans like all three versions. The rest of you should go to DLR or redrocker.com and suck it.
March 9th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Well put Adam!
March 10th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Love both Dave and Sam’s stuff but have a question for the Sam-haters … Since Dave essentially quit in ‘85, who would have been a better replacement than Sam, or did you really just them to sit on the bench until 2007?
March 10th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
I think Erick is the biggest winer on the VHND. Sammy made Van Halen a great band, and besides Dave walked away from the band in 1984. Samm continues to keep busy with all of his side stuff, and is having fun doing so. Stew, who does not want to be rich in America, how dumb can you be.After all Van Halen has not made anything with Roth since 1984, unless you count the two songs on the hits CD
March 10th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Yep, I’m a winer. Fine with me.
I still don’t like Van Hagar and think this website should be all about VH + DLR
March 11th, 2009 at 10:33 am
LOVE Sammy’s attitude. This new CD sounds like he’s gearing up for CHICKENFOOT, which I think is gonna be big (like REALLY big and will surprise the people who think he is past his prime)
I have only seen him with VH, but I have a soundboard boot of a show from 2007 and the band sounds great and they are having a BLAST (you can tell on the audio)
I hope that CHICKENFOOT does some touring. I think this band could kick rock music in the ass
March 14th, 2009 at 10:22 am
First, Andy you are Right on pal. Secondly, Stew you are a moron.
“All Sammy cares about is making & keeping his money thats why he voted 4 GDub !”
THIS IS WHAT CAPITALISM IS ALL ABOUT!
Hes A right wing asshole thats not Rock n roll baby!! Rock n roll is is about doing what u want and nobody telling u what to do !
WOW! YOU MUST HAVE FORGOT ABOUT THE GORE FROM THE 1980′S TRYING TO GET RID OF CERTAIN MUSIC! CONSERVATIVES WANT LESS GOVERNMENT AND MORE FREEDOM!
Sammys so rich now hes above the law he just dosn’t want to pay taxes !!!!!
SOUNDS LIKE A SOCIALIST IDIOT COMMENT TO ME. I THOUGHT DEMOCRATS ARE THE ONE WHO DONT PAY TAXES.
Have a nice day:)
March 17th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
I love the man’s music, but especially…his attitude…and that’s why he’s still rockin’…
Ed is always hyping this and that…products and new band members…it doesn’t really matter. All Sam does is move forward and make great music and have fun doing it.
’nuff said…