Chickenfoot interview from Classic Rock magazine
Exclusive Chickenfoot interview from Classic Rock magazine:
Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani, Michael Anthony and Chad Smith team up for supergroup and give Classic Rock the exclusive lowdown.
The name Chickenfoot doesn’t exactly conjure up visions of a union between some of rocks mightiest musical behemoths; in fact it sounds more like a nasty side effect of bird flu.
“It was just supposed to be a bullshit name that we’d used for a while,” former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony told Classic Rock. “And then the rumours spread about the band, everybody used that name so we thought, ‘fuck it, let’s call it Chickenfoot - it all comes down to the music anyway.”
Featuring Sammy Hagar (vocals), Joe Satriani (guitar), Chad Smith (drums) and Anthony; this million-dollar quartet are reluctant to call themselves a supergroup as a modest Smith explained: “We’re not a supergroup, we like hanging out together and the music is a bonus. We just happen to be in other groups.”
Classic Rock caught up with the band at Hagar’s recording studio in San Francisco where the ever ebullient Red Rocker explained the origins of the band.
“It started off with me, Michael and Chad jamming at my club-Cabo Wabo-in Mexico. Then people started asking us when we were going to tour, make a record etc. So I said if we’re going to do this properly then we’re going have to get a guitarist, let’s talk to Joe Satriani. As far as I’m concerned he’s the best guitarist in the world.”
The band made their official debut a year ago in Las Vegas at a Hagar concert where they played a three song covers set (including Zep’s Rock’n’Roll and Traffic’s Dear Mr Fantasy). Since then they have managed to record an album’s worth of material with Andy Johns and Mike Fraser at the helm. They are currently putting together a tour of Europe’s festivals this summer, which will include some shows in the UK.
“Europe is where I want this band to start, I feel so guilty that I haven’t played Europe in years,” Hagar revealed.
Classic Rock was given an exclusive preview of three tracks from the band’s eponymously titled debut. “Soap On A Rope” and “Sexy Little Thing” have the humour and loose feel of prime Halen, with the unbridled energy of Montrose. “Avenida Revolution” is an epic political anthem about the troubles on the Mexican/American border and has all the making of a classic.
“I’m not looking for fortune and fame out of this. I’ve had enough of that to last five times,” explained Hagar, maybe referring to selling an 80 percent interest in his Cabo Wabo tequila company for $80 million. “So pull that out of the equation, what am I doing it for? The music and enjoyment.”
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March 5th, 2009 at 3:27 am
Go Sammy go
March 5th, 2009 at 4:15 am
I remember when Sammy used to hail Eddie as the best guitarist in the world…
March 5th, 2009 at 5:02 am
“So I said if we’re going to do this properly then we’re going have to get a guitarist, let’s talk to Joe Satriani. As far as I’m concerned he’s the best guitarist in the world.”
Sammy…you suck. You had the distinct pleasure to play with the world’s greatest…”The king of ten fingers and six strings, Mr. Edward Van Halen!” Ever notice how celebrities always seem to trash what they once had? They will say about an upcoming album…”this is the definitive sound or the best record we ever made”…until the next album comes out. Then it’s, well that album was ok, but this one is much better. Always promoting themselves. And we the fans continue to buy (literally) their bulls^^t. Eddie and Alex aren’t absolved from this type of behavior either. They loved and made millions with Dave, then trashed Dave. They fell in love with Sammy…then trashed him. Now Dave is good again. The one person who has never trashed the Van Halen name or image is Dave. He always talked about Eddie as the greatest guitarist, and the music made with Van Halen as the greatest. Love him or hate him, at least Dave is faithful to Van Halen (the original and only 6 albums Van Halen produced)!!!! Now gives us some music….
March 5th, 2009 at 6:06 am
I think he just fucked up by telling VH fans that Joe Satriani is the world’s greatest guitarist. If he gets bashed by VH fans for that comment - he fuckin deserves it.
March 5th, 2009 at 6:52 am
wow, he thinks satriani is the best guitarist in the world! bull$h*t. He worked with the greatest guitarist ever, eddie! and now hes just saying that cause he doesnt have access to him anymore.
i say to VH keep wolfgang and leave MA so it keeps hagar away, i saw VH live with roth (VH’s only real singer)and theyre great, better than chickencrap will ever be.
March 5th, 2009 at 7:14 am
Amen!!!!!
March 5th, 2009 at 7:25 am
I hope you people that continue to bash either singer, or bandmember, realize that this is a band of musicians. The fate of the world does not rest on their shoulders. Economies will not climb or fall based on “Daves a better singer than Sammy.” It doesn’t matter. You people get so worked up over this band it’s a bit frightening. Do you go to bed at night with your little blanky hoping that Dave’s still in the band tomorrow. Do you have nightmares that Sammys gonna come and steal your first born? Try looking at what’s going on in the world and take all of this for what it is - entertainment.
March 5th, 2009 at 7:41 am
While I for the most part have taken Sammy’s side in the Van Halen squabbles and am looking very much forward to Chicenfoot and think it will be better than anything Van Halen will do with the karaoke singer and the chunky kid, I sure wish Sammy would let it go and stop taking the subtle yet obvious digs at Eddie every time he does an interview.
March 5th, 2009 at 7:56 am
RIGHT ON ,ATOMIC PUNK!!ALSO TO SCAR, IM GLAD WE AGREE AS TO WHO THE REAL FANS ARE.ALTHOUGH IM SURE EDDIE DOESNT CARE WHAT SAM IS DOING,THAT LITTLE JAB ABOUT WHO THE BEST GUITARIST IS MIGHT HELP SPEED EDDIE UP SOME.TO ALL THE NAY-SAYERS OUT THERE, THERE IS NO WAY ED WILL RETIRE WITHOUT PUTTING OUT SOME MUSIC WITH HIS SON.SCAR AND I WILL BE AT A VAN HALEN CONCERT NEXT FALL,WHILE YOUR HITCHHIKING YOUR WAY TO A CHICKEN FEST.SAM IS ALREADY SLINGING MUD AT ED BECAUSE HE KNOWS THE MIGHTY VAN HALEN IS ABOUT TO KICK SOME MORE ASS!!
March 5th, 2009 at 7:57 am
Isn’t Sammy entitled to his opinion? Ed don’t want to work with Sam in the first place. If Sammy says that Joe S. is the best guitarist, he is entitled to that. Evidently, Eddie does not think Sammy is worth a shit as a vocalist. Why should Sammy return the favor? Don’t slam him because he feels that way. If the greatest guitarist (EVH) in the world didn’t want you back in the fold, you wouldn’t be buying him roses or paying him compliments would you? LOL. I think Sam has a right to his opinion. We don’t have to share it. Looking forward to new Van Halen and Chickenfoot music. BTW They could have picked a better name.LOL!
March 5th, 2009 at 7:59 am
LOL! You go John!
March 5th, 2009 at 8:04 am
JOHN
LMAO
The karaoke singer and chunky kid LOL
I tend to agree with you that Roth sounded like a lounge singer on the tour. Too many people know it but won’t admit it. He sang every song in one tone LOL
As for Wolfgang….I have to give him props ….he did awesome stepping into MA’s shoes.
March 5th, 2009 at 8:10 am
No doubt about it I’m an EVH fan, but Joe is also impressive. You can’t take anything away from either.
March 5th, 2009 at 8:26 am
I just look forward to the music that the four will generate. I have been a fan of each in their own right and own bands. To have a mixture of them come together will be impressive. AND NO, it will not be a copy of Van Halen/Hagar whatever. People need to get over themselves and who was the best singer for VH. Each singer for VH was great in their own right (and yes I am including Gary Cherone!). EVH has had the best singers to work with and should consider himself lucky because he would not be anything on his own.
That’s all I got to say about that.
March 5th, 2009 at 9:13 am
I can’t wait to listen to chickenfoot’s record !!! I think Joe Satriani (i’m a big fan) is a descendant of EVH, he said it a couple of times.
Joe perfected the techniques, so i think actually he is the best guitar player in the world. I love Eddie, i just want to play like him, but Joe is the best now.
Lest’s see how he works in a band!
And i can’t wait also for a new Van Halen record!!
Now we will have 2 amazing bands guys! Let’s be happy!
March 5th, 2009 at 9:57 am
I AGREE WITH GONZALO WE WILL HAVE TWO GREAT BANDS. JUST THINK EDDIE IS THE BEST. IT’S ONLY WAIT FOR A NEW VAN HALEN CD.
March 5th, 2009 at 10:07 am
DANOOOSH - and the first round of beer’s is on me!!!!!
March 5th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Jesus, why all this team game bullshit? I thought the point of being into music was a way of getting away from all that sad fuck jock crap, which amounts to little more than “My dad’s bigger than your dad!” Who cares who’s better, Dave or Sam! As long as Ed’s on the guitar my mother could do the singing as far as I’m concerned. The only thing we know for certain is that Chickenfoot are out there doing the business and all Eddie’s doing is talking about all that music he’s got stored up. And he’s been saying that now for 10 years…
March 5th, 2009 at 10:35 am
Relax Eddie fans, relax
Sammy should’ve been a little more clear about the “best in the world” statement. What he was referring to was work-ethic and the ability to record a song in only a couple of days OR hours. HIs talent level is obvious: He is great, but better then EVH, even as a huge Sammy fan, I beg to differ.
In a recent interview, Sammy went into detail(grudgingly) about the recording process on the BoBB tunes. Eddie would literally take WEEKS to finish one guitar part. Eddie is awesome, but back then, when he wasn’t sober, ho took fucking forever in the studio. That’s why they didn’t do an entire album, it would’ve taken 18 months and Sammy didn’t want to wait that long, while relations were still good in the band, he thought, let’s do 3 they get out on the road.
So, Sammy was talking about reaction time from when an idea is born to when it is recorded; For this, I’d have to choose Satrioni as better than EVH
The whole truth and nothing but the truth
PS European Tour with Chickenfoot?? WTF?? What about me?
Rock on!
~JJ
March 5th, 2009 at 10:55 am
I can’t wait to hear this album. As far as Joe being the best guitarist. . . What should sammy say? My guitar player in this band isn’t any good.
Let’s just say that an album can be written and recorded in a year. What’s Ed and Al been up to?
March 5th, 2009 at 11:20 am
Samm is a class act! as always!
March 5th, 2009 at 11:20 am
OMG, Satriani the best guitarist in the world?? Ok, he’s good, but most of his stuff sounds like a dude who is able pull off licks against a backing drum track. Kinda dull stuff. Edward is the King, but I can see how Sammy wants to praise who he is working with at the time.
March 5th, 2009 at 11:29 am
Put a microphone in front of Sammy and let the hyperbole fly.
Joe Satriani is undoubtedly a great guitarist and I am truly looking forward to what this collaboration produces.
Still, Sammy tends to err on the side of exaggeration whenever his lips move.
To wit:
Chickenfoot will rival Led Zeppelin. (Anyone standing behind Sammy in the weeks following this statement undoubtedly got trampled by his backpedaling on this one.)
Van Halen sold more records when I was in the band than when Dave was in it. (Reality: Sammy counted the sales of Dave-era albums during the Sammy era as his sales — including all the remasters of the Roth-era recordings.)
Michael Anthony is so steady, I haven’t heard him play a bum note in 10 years. (Surely not true — though he is a great player.)
Eddie’s a great guitarist, but he can be cloned. (This was said during the Hagar-Roth tour as a way to say that the guitar sound can be cloned, but the singer can’t be copied. Hence, Vic Johnson is just as good as Eddie soundwise.)
The whole catalog is open, there’s not any old VH song that I won’t consider playing. (Said in interviews before the 2004 reunion tour. Then he only sang the same several Dave-era songs that he had sung before. The only change being Somebody Get Me a Doctor — which Mike sang.)
Sammy always said that the musicianship in Van Halen as a whole was far and away better than anything he could imagine. But by the end of this tour, mark my words, he will refer to everyone in Chickenfoot as being the best in the world on their instrument.
Joe better than Eddie? Hardly.
But am I surprised Sammy is saying that now? Nah.
It’s just Sammy being Sammy.
March 5th, 2009 at 11:39 am
Sammy is pushing his “NEW” product like he has alway’s done. If he were playing with Ed again. Then Sammy would say that Ed is the Best. They all take jabs and play games. I just see Chickenfoot as a heavier maybe version than the Wabo’s. Its just two different people? Mike is always in there some way. Like the song “LOUD” is that song to far off? We will see?
March 5th, 2009 at 11:40 am
YES, SAM HAS THE RIGHT TO GIVE HIS OPINION,BUT IT ONLY HELPS US VAN HALEN FANS.NUMBER 1,ED NOW HAS HIS SON IN THE BAND,NUMBER 2,HE NOW HAS DLR BACK,NUMBER 3, HE IS RELATIVELY SOBER,NUMBER 4, AFTER WHAT HAPPENED WITH VAN HALEN 3, I GAURANTEE THAT ED IS READY TO BRING THE THUNDER!!!IF HE HAS TONS OF MUSIC LIKE HE SAYS, I HOPE HE TAKES ALL THE ROCKINGEST SHIT HE HAS AND PUTS IT ON ONE CD!
March 5th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Who cares!?!?! I love Joe and Ed, I just wanna hear some new tunes. At least The Foot is recording.
March 5th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Everybody get a life! without VH there wouldn’t be any of this. As far as best guitarist Paul Gilbert, Ed’s buddy.
March 5th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Hey DANOOOSH, the poser’s can’t hear you bro or any other true fan. All they do is bash us true fans with their fun facts and boring statistics. It’s not a complete waste a time though, because it is really fun and entertaining to piss them off!!!! When VH releases the new music, the poser’s will bash it before they really take a good listen to it. What a pisser eh?
March 5th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Hey Sam, please stop talking about the millions you made by selling your tequila brand, you would be nothing if not for Eddie.
Joe is good but Eddie is God!
March 5th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
First off with out Ed there would be NO Satriani! Ed popularized/Invented the style of guitar and music that makes Joe even slightly relevant today.
Second comparing your self to LED ZEPPELIN doesn’t make it so.
SAMMY you are NO Robert Plant and CERTAINLY failed at Filling the Mighty DAVID LEE ROTH’S Shoes. So get back to driving 55 in banana jumpsuits and leave the real music to Van Halen.
March 5th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
what cabo joe said.
March 5th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
SCAR,BEN,PEEDAH,AMEN BROTHERS!!!WHAT WAS SAMMYS FAN BASE BEFORE HE JOINED VH??ROTH STARTED THIS BAND, AND HE WILL FINISH IT IN STYLE!!ALL YOU SAM FANS CANT SEEM TO ACCEPT THE FACT THAT HE IS GONE FROM VH AND NOT COMING BACK.ALSO, SOME OF YOU GUYS HAD CONCERNS ABOUT DAVES VOCALS, AS FAR AS ON THE TOUR , ITS HARD TO TELL BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS SO LOUD,BUT I THOUGHT ON ME WISE MAGIC HIS VOCALS WERE KICK BUTT!!DO YOU GUYS AGREE OR DISAGREE??
March 5th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
DANOOOSH
I saw the Tour 5 times all over the country and DLR KICKED ASS! He sounded great.
A buddy of mine that saw him on WACF AND FAIR WARNING said he actually sounded BETTER (on this last tour)!
The Sammy “Fans” need to go to the ChickenFoot site and leave this to VAN HALEN FANS.
DANOOOSH SCAR BEN ROCK ON!!!
March 5th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
ALSO , WHAT JUNGLE LAND SAID AT THE END OF THE PREVIOS POSTING MAKES A LOT OF SENSE.I HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT I WORK WITH AND GET ALONG WITH JUST FINE, BUT I WOULD NEVER INVITE THEM OVER OR CALL THEM TO DO SOMETHING.,AS I TOO AM SOMEWHAT OF A LONER. IT SOUNDS LIKE DAVE AND ED HAVE A SIMILAR RELATIONSHIP.STILL WAITING ON COMMENTS ON DAVES VOICE AKA THE TOUR, AND ME WISE MAGIC..
March 5th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Me Wise Magic an Can’t Get This Stuff ROCKS I love both of those tunes! They are very underrated songs!
March 5th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
I GOT TO SEE DAVE ON ONE OF HIS LAST SHOWS WITH THE DLR BAND BEFORE HE REJOINED VH.IT WAS AT A CASINO WITH ONLY ABOUT 200 PEOPLE THERE SO I WAS ABLE TO GET RIGHT UP FRONT.I THOUGHT TO MYSELF,MAN AFTER ALL THESE YEARS , THIS GUY IS STILL UNBELEIVABLE!!
March 5th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
I have one thing to say “can’t we all just get along!” I am one of the biggest Sammy fans you would ever meet, but, I love both versions of VH! Sorry Gary! If Sammy was so “bad” why did we the fans make all the studio albums #1? Why did almost all the concerts with Sammy sell out? That is because of the fans! And that is what we should be fans! Not haters! There is too much of that in the world!
As far as who the best guitarist is? There are so many, Clapton, Iommi, Hendrix, Page, VanHalen, Rhodes, Lynch, Gibbons, Wylde, Gilbert, Vai, Satriani, do you see where is is leading, they all have evolved from each other and they all are GREAT! And I am sorry if I missed some, so don’t kill me over that!!!
As we all know Sammy likes to talk and is a promoter! So yes he wants to promote this, as would anyone putting out music! Will this album sell, no, and it is not because of Sammy, it is because of todays music industry! If you are not on American Idol and have a “pretty face” you are nothing!
NEW OLD SCHOOL kick you in the balls and face rock does not get much air time! AC/DC did great at first but now no new songs on the radio. At least not in my area! So lets all just enjoy the music from Sammy and company and lets hope in the near future a new album from Van Halen!
March 5th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Yeah I saw him right before the VH Tour and he Was DA MAN!
March 5th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
10 YEARS from now, no one will know who Joe Satriani even is.
(Hell not that many people know who he is now!)
2 years from now, no one will remember Chicknfoot!
EDWARD VAN HALEN and VAN HALEN will be LEGENDS TILL THE END OF TIME!!!!!!
Sammy will be remembered as a Tequila maker/businessman and a LEGENDS REPLACEMENT!!!!!
Sorry Red Heads, The TRUTH is the TRUTH!!!!!!
ClubfootKolby, I hope your alright buddy, I haven’t heard from ya in a while and I’m getting THIRSTY. I had to buy another bottle of Cabo! Your 5 shots behind!
March 5th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Peedah and DANOOOSH - I totally agree about Me Wise Magic and Can’t Get This Stuff being very underated. Damn Good songs!!!!!! Those songs just prove that the chemistry between them worked then and it will work for them again & again & again. Maybe the poser’s should go way back and listen to some of the demo songs like Put out the lights or Big Trouble. That should help them jog their memories. They’ll remember saying, shit this stuff rocks - who are these guys? I want more!!!
March 5th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
You guys…scar peedah and danoosh are all RIGHT ON THE MONEY….Amen Brothers!!!!!!! ( The sound of a beer opening )
March 5th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
I did not even bother reading this article on chickensoup. I don’t care.
I directly go to the comments. Great fun! Keep on going guys!!
btw: CLASSIC VAN HALEN ROCKS !!!!!!!!!
March 5th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Alright, everyone just shut up about what Sammy said about Joe. Joe is great. Yes, IMO Eddie is waaaaayyyyy better, and there’s a good chance he was slamming Eddie with that, but seriously, CALM THE F*** DOWN. That’s just the way life works! Believe me if i was the singer of Van Halen and the guitarist was a legend and wanted me out i would be pissed too! Besides, no one ever goes “oh yeah the dude in my band is alright, but have you heard HIM? He’s the best out there!”
Of course Sammy is gonna say that about Joe that would just be ffd up if he didnt.
Give it a rest guys
March 5th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Pushtoshove put that beer on my tab bro.
March 5th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Joe Satriani the best guitarist in the world? I dont think so, everybody knows the best guitarist in the world is Jimmy Page. Sorry Ed you actually have to play to be the best guitarist in the world.
March 5th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
This thread is making me embarrassed to be a VH fan…
March 5th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
I’m not gonna reply to tim stoned because he thought(that’s his problem) he was on American Idol’s site. To those who like to bash VH (DLR Era) for doing cover songs, I would like to see them cover some UFO tunes like Lights Out or Too Hot to Handle - that would be cool!! wa wa Zat?
March 5th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
go chickenfoot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 5th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Tim i’d agree with you only if Jimmy didn’t steal half of his licks from classic blues players. Jimmy Hendrix was much better.
I do agree, that to be the best you actually have to play. When was the last VH material recorded (1994ish)? Joe’s actually put out Solo stuff since then and continued to grow. Joe’s a much more technically gifted guitarist then Eddie is. No doubt about it. WHO HAS EDDIE TRAINED? Joe’s list is long (Kirk ring a bell?). I love Ed, but his ego is over the top and that’s why VH isn’t functional as a band anymore. It’s a meer shadow of it’s former self.
March 5th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Some people that comment here are really mindless. What kind of idiot comes to a Van Halen site to say that Joe Satriani is better than Eddie and that Vic Johson sounds like The King
??? If anyone agrees with this guy I am sorry… you can’t differ Vic Johnson from Eddie Van Halen… you must be deaf my GOD.
March 5th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
To Gol,
Your comment in which you were referring to the comment made by “Aftershock” is unintentionally hilarious. I agree with you in that only an “idiot” would imply that “Vic Johnson is as good as Eddie”. But if you read his comment carefully, Aftershock wasn’t saying these things himself. Rather, he was complaining that SAMMY is saying these things.
So I think all of us here agree that Sammy Hagar is being ridiculous again. But don’t get me wrong, I like Sammy & I very interested to hear the Chickenfoot CD. But Sammy just can’t help but say rediculous things. Sometimes I cringe when i read his interviews.
To Aftershock - excellent post! Best one so far.
March 5th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
vhrocks,
How many albums has Satriani sold? How many guitarist has he influenced?
Gimme a BREAK! Once Satriani learned how to play like KING ED, he had to STICK to TEACHING others how to play like KING ED!!!!!
IMMITATION IS THE HIGHEST FORM OF FLATTERY!!!
Keep up the good work Joe, you’re a GOOD TEACHER!!
To BAD you had to COPY someone else’s STYLE!!!!!!
Then again he is in a band with Sam and we all know Sam copies EVERYONE!!!!!!
March 5th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Anyone who saw the last VH tour can not honestly say Eddie is the greatest guitarist right now. I can think of several ahead of him. He has lost a step. I saw him in 1998 at his peak and he was nowhere near that this past time around. I would put satriani, vai, buckethead, and even bumblefoot ahead of eddie. And probably Tommy emmanual above them all. So don’t rag on Sammy for stating that Satriani is the best. I’m sure you can find hundreds of thousands who would agree. And all those guitarist I placed above Eddie have released new music. Eddie has not. This is a Van Halen site but come on people! Figure out the year of your favorite VH guitar song. . . Was it made after 1995? I love VH but why people blindly just give Eddie props when he hasn’t done anything since 1995, I don’t know. . .
March 5th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
I’m old enough to be your daddy, every one of you!!! So listen up!!!
I saw Van Halen 5 times before they made it to the clubs in L.A. That means BACKYARD PARTIES!! Yes, you heard correctly. Backyard parties in Pasadena, Rosemead, Altadena and Burbank.
Back in the day, Hendrix was the greatest, untill somebody sent a young, tone in your face, screaming guitar in your ears alien, known as Edward. When he stepped off of his spaceship, I kidd you not, he was wearing 2 things that just glarred in your eyes (besides his martian suit of course). A bad ass striped space gun and a crown on his head. He gave us something that would forever change what a guitar is and how it’s played. And all of sudden we literally forgot who the hell Hendrix was.
I believe no other guitarist has had such a monsterous impact on guitar playing/building than EVH. The Satch man is a great guitarist, but the king is still alive and kicking, even if he hasn’t come up with anything new.
Oh, and the chemistry between Dave and Ed has always been one of the most evident highlights of Van Haalen. Since those backyard parties, I’ve seen VH 12 times. 9 with Roth and 3 with Hagar. Nothing can match the chemistry between EVH and Roth… nothing!
I think Hagar is pissed that the last VH tour was just shy of $100 million. Let’s see him pull that off with Joe. And boys, VH has always been about the roots… those 70’s backyard parties: EVH & DLR! And if you’re as old as I am and had the chance to be at one of those magical moments, you’ll know what I’m getting at.
Peace to all, and try to remember that insane magical moment when a new VH album was about to be released… better than christmas eve!
March 5th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Look, I love King Edward, but the guy has wasted years sitting around 5150 waiting for something to happen; Sammy barely sits long enough to take a dump.
March 5th, 2009 at 11:20 pm
For the record LED ZEP has covered FAR more songs than VH and stolen that’s right STOLEN more blues riffs than any band out there. I love ZEP, but TIM get your facts straight. Don’t come to this site and try and talk about music obviously you don’t know shit.
Who Let Tim in here? The Hannah Montana site is else where. WTF is he on? “You have to actually play” WTF is that? Please save yourself any further embarrassment and go play with your dolls.
March 6th, 2009 at 1:16 am
VH_fan_since_1976: finally, someone who actually knows why Ed is better than Joe! Just about everyone else who has commented here about the relative merits of the two guitarists seem to know next to nothing about guitar playing. They’re just doing that pathetic ‘My favoutite’s better than yours..” bullshit. That surprises me on a VH site. Having said that, although Eddie’s the one who will go down in history, anyone who dismisses the stellar talents of Satriani really shouldn’t be commenting on anything to do with guitar playing. And, of course, Joe doesn’t look like he’s had a day off since he first picked up a guitar. Ed, on the other hand… 10 years Ed, really, come on, you’re taking the piss now…
March 6th, 2009 at 3:37 am
Hey Peedah, ” “You have to actually play” WTF is that?”
Well, I happen to think that Eddie’s achievements actually surpass even those of Hendrix. But here’s the simple fact: Until he puts out some new music he’s yesterday’s hero…
March 6th, 2009 at 7:38 am
I guess VH_fan_since_1976 is really Karl’s daddy. Pity.
March 6th, 2009 at 9:38 am
SCAR: Get a life, loser.
March 6th, 2009 at 10:40 am
bunch of winey babies!
HERE’S TO NEW MUSIC FROM BOTH CAMPS!!
March 6th, 2009 at 11:20 am
^ +1
March 6th, 2009 at 11:36 am
ESTEBAN! Best F’in Geetar playa in da world. Ha Ha Ha !
I need a BEER!
March 6th, 2009 at 11:43 am
to Big Al
If you think Eddie can pull off Surfing with the Alien then you’re seriously deluded.
I’m not stating Ed hasn’t influenced a lot of new bands and Joe has too, but as far as techincally gifted playing ability, Joe is more technically sound. Come on, the guy taught Steve Vai a thing or two before he joined up with DLR. The question is What has Ed done lately other than relive his youth and try the nestalgia thing. Ed says he has all this music written. Where is it? What are you waiting for. You just wanted to sack Mike. The guy stuck with you for over 20 years and you treated him like crap and insulted his playing ability by stating he wasn’t a shreading base player. Ed’s ego run amok. I’d rather have Sam’s bloviating than Ed’s ego trip and drug and alcolol induced implosion. Ed forgot that the whole thing was about making music, having fun and the fans. He’s too busy trying to line his pockets and screw over the fans with over priced tickets. You’ll never convince me that Ed is more techinially gifted than Joe Satriani. It’s just not true. Now I’m not saying Ed isn’t an influential guitarist, becuase clearly he is. Joe just hasn’t had the exposure because he’s kept a low key lifestyle. There’s no way in hell that Ed can pull off Surfing with the Alien PERIOD.
March 6th, 2009 at 11:49 am
Karl,
In reference to Tim’s saying “You have to actually play?” AND THEN using Jimmy PAGE as an example WHAT NEW STUFF HAS HE PUT OUT? Walking into Clarksdale came out the same time as VH3. It’s not like he Mr. Prolific.
Point being AT least Ed has put out new stuff at the same time and then has toured several times. Mr. Page has not.
You can say he’s “yesterdays hero” cause that’s not the point the point is he played/toured more than the great Mr. Page and released the same amount of music in 10 years less time.
So Tim’s comment about He actually has to play makes no sense.
Hey I think Joe S. Is excellent I’ve seen him live he is a master. But this is a VH site and you have to expect that we are going to stand behind Ed.
I actually think that this “Chickenshit” Thing is going to be good for VH because I think Eddie is very competitive he will want to smoke the “Other Half” so this could be a blessing in disguise. I just don’t want to hear Sammy running his mouth about Joe being the best blah blah blah on VHND.
March 6th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Peedah, if you remember your rock history, most of LZ’s songs were versions of old blues songs by classic blues artists. Jimmy Page ripped off a lot of older classic players styles and many consider him the ‘connsumate’ player. I think he’s great, but not the ‘connsumate’ player. I’m not insulting anything they did, I’m stating fact. It’s actually been stated in many articles by Jimmy Page and other LZ members on who their influencers were and how they created their sound.
I’m also not insulting Ed’s ability and style. Anyone who thinks Ed’s more techincally gifted than guitarists like Joe, Steve Vai, John Petrucci, etc. are delusional. Ed has influenced a lot of players (including the ones I mentioned), and he is techically gifted, but just not on those levels. Ed’s strength is his ability to manipulate his signature sound and not necesarily his techincal playing ability. Ed’s sound is unique, the others don’t really have a unique sound. Ed’s style has been to craft his tone.
March 6th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
To Adam: Thanks for setting the record straight. I was sitting here shaking my head in amazement that Gol actually thought I said that I can’t differentiate Ed from Vic.
To Gol: You asked the question: What kind of an idiot would come to the Van Halen site to say Joe Satriani is better than Eddie? Answer: Uh, Sammy Hagar.
To Vhrocks: You asked, “WHO HAS EDDIE TRAINED?” Are you freaking kidding me? Eddie Van Halen not only influenced a generation of professional guitar players, but he also inspired thousands to millions of kids — probably including many who post on here — to pick up a guitar and give it a try in the first place. Just because he didn’t sit in a room with me and teach me pentatonic scales for an hour a week doesn’t mean he didn’t inspire me in ways that can never be adequately expressed. Besides, I’m pretty sure Eddie trained Wolfgang. Just wondering if Joe has ever placed one of his 17-year-old students on a national tour with the most badass band on the planet? (It’s a meaningless point I know, but so is determining who is the better player based on who they’ve trained. I’m not bashing Joe here — he’s a great player. I’m just answering your question.)
To Vh Fan Since 1976: Thanks for your post. I would give anything to have seen Van Halen in those days.
To VHND: Thanks! This site is kicking butt with great new stories every day. It’s starting to be fun to be a VH fan again.
March 6th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Yo, Vhrocks, I get what you’re trying to say, but you are talking in circles.
On the one hand you denigrate Ed because he hasn’t released anything lately and on the other hand you’re ripping him because he’s forgotten music is about fun and he’s ripping off the fans, yada, yada, yada.
I would counter that he has turned his back on a lot of the business machine of music and gotten back to the fun part of it. He is jamming any time he wants not only with his brother, but his son. I have no doubt that Ed has miles of tape of new music. If he wanted to just rip off the fans, why not just release it as is? Geez, people can debate all they want on the merits of the “albums of new material” he has written. It doesn’t matter. He can have it or not — none of us know — and it doesn’t matter. You can’t rip him for NOT releasing anything in one breath, and in the next say his only interest is in ripping money off the fans.
High concert ticket prices? Look around — that’s the going rate for tickets. You had Roth back in the band. I guarantee most people who actually saw the show did not feel ripped off. Hey, if you don’t want to go because Mike’s not in the band, great. That’s your call. But don’t define the experience for everyone that did go and had a fantastic time.
I’ll never convince you that Ed is more technically proficient than Joe? Why would I even try? It’s a moot point. If it sounds good it is good. All I know is that when people point to a guitar solo that changed the landscape of music, they point to “Eruption” not “Surfing With the Alien.” Who cares what is more technical? I suppose next you’ll tell me that Joe Dumars was a better basketball player than Michael Jordan because he had better fundamentals?
March 6th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Peedah: Props to you for coming back with a decent point. I don’t think SCAR is capable of such rational discussion.
You’re right about Page (although I do think the guy was a genius on the riffs and songs front). There’s quite a contrast between his post Zep life and Plant’s. While Plant might not be moving mountains the way Zep did his output since their demise has been constantly creative and makes Page look spent. But I wasn’t really picking up on the Page element of the post just the point about Ed’s the lack of output.
I’m as much of a fan of Ed’s as anyone (travelled from London to New York to see VH on the last tour - how many of those shooting their mouths off here went that far?) but I’m getting tired of the “I’ve got a ton of music waiting to go…” line. I’m thinking if he really did have a ton of music, we’d have heard it long before now. I’m actually starting to think he doesn’t have ‘it’ anymore. I seriously hope I’m wrong.
Chickenfoot? Can’t wait. And if you’re right and it does act as kick in the ass for Eddie, all the better.
And as for what Sam said… hey, he’s a rock star. The all talk shit all the time. Does anyone really put any store by what a rock start says?
March 6th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
AMEN Aftershock!
March 6th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
ALL of the VH alumni suffer from foot-in-mouth syndrome.
March 6th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
People this will suck because…wait for it….
Sammy’s writing the gawdamn vocals!
If Up for Breakfast is the best he can do with Van Halen, I shuddder to hear what else he has come up with
March 6th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
vhrocks,
Can you come up with a better excuse for Joe besides a “LOW KEY LIFESTYLE?”
Do me a favor, ask some of your lady friends if they perfer:
Fast and Technical or A LEGEND!!!!!!!!
Maybe then, you’ll UNDERSTAND!!!
March 6th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
VH_fan_since_1976,
couldnt have said it better meself
March 6th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
P.S. I completely envy you that you got to see them back then
March 6th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Huge fan of Ed, Al, DLR, Mike, Sammy, Joe. Who cares who’s best? I intend to enjoy what I can from them all. CF in ‘09 and VH in ‘10 (hopefully) Bring on the new music, and I hope that one day you can all be friends again despite being in different bands now.
March 6th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
for $80 million i wouldn’t mind being remembered as a tequila salesman!!!!!
March 6th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
I was just stirring the pot before with the Jimmy Page comment. Everybody on this website knows that EVH is the best guitarist of this and many generations.We all know that when a VH tune comes on the radio it just jumps out of the speakers.My beef is with the way the brothers have treated thier fans for the last decade.No new music, loads of soap oprea drama and just a total disrespect for all of us.We all want the concert DVD’s,(with any singer).How about being able to buy the tunes from the 1981 Oakland concert that have seen on TV.The only time we hear from EVH is when he is selling guitars,picks,amps etc.We hear about “enough music for 5 albums” for at least 10 years.Years ago when Dave was out of the band and there was no singer, Dave said that what bothered him the most was all the empty years that they could have been making and playing music. Eleven wasted years………….
March 7th, 2009 at 12:06 am
i think ‘Tinted Windows’ is a much more exciting supergroup. i mean can you really go wrong with James Iha on guitar and Taylor Hanson on vocals? i think not!
March 7th, 2009 at 3:16 am
Honestly, who gives a f#ck who is better? This column reads like a womans weekly!!!!! I love all the Halen albums, and Im also glad Hagar kept the ball rolling when Roth departed in 85. These guys have made alot of music together and without each other. We should be happy they are all still upright and breathing……
March 7th, 2009 at 5:52 am
SCAR, your mum should take that computer out of your bedroom -it’s making you look silly.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:17 am
Karl, dude, I don’t know what makes you so dumb, but it really works.
March 7th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Hey Sammy………If Eddie never existed then neither would Joe! Satriani is a great guitar player but as far as muscial imagination, he is just taking the licks that Eddie invented and making them more technical.
March 9th, 2009 at 8:57 am
my dad can beat up your dad!
March 9th, 2009 at 10:35 am
To Fan of GREAT Music:
Tell your dad he’s going to have to beat up my granpa´ because I’m the dad of the guy whose dad your dad is going to beat up.
In the end… who cares who’s better, all I know is that I can play Eruption, Crystal Planet, Balck Dog and Mary Had A Little Lamb…. on a fucking kazooo! HA!!!
March 10th, 2009 at 6:45 am
To VH_fan_since_1976:
we could start a band and you would be the greatest kazoo player in the world!!
March 10th, 2009 at 8:19 am
To Fan of GREAT Music
Ah shucks, dude. You know, I’m just a kazoo chaser. Besides, I’ve chased kazoos all my life and I DON’T even own one. But I’m gonna’ have 300 of them custom made for the low price of $2,500.
And the band thing is a great idea, my oldest son, nonetheless, is only five, but he’s got the chops. So are you singing? And for some funny reason, I feel as if I last spoke to you about 22 years ago.
Hey I’m not high, just having fun here.
March 14th, 2009 at 10:03 am
Easy statement- Tell your present girlfriend/boyfriend that your ex is better than they are. See what happens. People this is life. I’m starting to believe that some of you are morons of music. Just be happy you have some. Before long you won’t have any except that BS crap on MTV and pop radio that has no power or substance. Fight to bring Rock back from the DEAD.
March 28th, 2009 at 12:29 am
FIRST OFF TO THE “FANS” HERE ON THIS SITE, WHAT MAKES YOU A FAN?
IS IT THE FANCY CLOTHES, OR THE FANCY HAIR?
IS IT THE NAME OR THE LOOK OF THE BAND?
IS IT THE MUSIC OR WHAT INSTRUMENT THEY PLAY?
IT’S ALL THE ABOVE PEOPLE!
SAMMY HAGAR WAS AROUND BEFORE VAN HALEN FOLKS!
HE’S PLAYED WITH A LOT OF GOOD GUITAR PLAYERS AND THEY ARE ALL GOOD IN THEIR OWN WAY.
ALL SAMMY DID HERE WAS JAB AT EDDIE THE WAY EDDIE JABS ABOUT SAMMY’S LYRICS OR WORK ETHIC.
REMEMBER, EDDIE FIRED SAMMY ON THE PHONE OVER SAMMY HAVING A BABY.
EDDIE WAS AND I MEAN WAS A GREAT GUITAR PLAYER. HE RUINED HIS STATURE WITH HIS ANTICS OF BEING A DRUNK.
HE IS SLOPPY AND HAS NO JOY PLAYING THE GUITAR ANYMORE.
SAMMY SHOULD JUST TELL THE REAL STORY AS WELL AS MIKE AS TO WHY EDDIE AND ALEX ARE NOTHING BUT TOOLS THAT ARE ALL RUSTY IN THE TOOL SHED.
THIS BAND IS DONE PEOPLE. PULL THE DAMN PLUG ALREADY!