David Lee Roth, Sammy Hagar, and Michael Anthony ink deals with Warner/Chappell

November 22, 2010 86 Comments

Some interesting behind the scenes business going on…

Warner/Chappell recently inked deals with legendary rockers David Lee Roth, Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony, all of Van Halen fame.

As part of the new agreement, Warner/Chappell acquired the entire catalog of songs written by Sammy Hagar — songwriter guitarist, and former lead singer of Van Halen (1986 through 1996) — including his work with the bands Van Halen, Montrose and Chickenfoot, as well as his music as a solo artist.

Additionally, Warner/Chappell extended and expanded its worldwide administration agreements with songwriters David Lee Roth, original lead singer for Van Halen (1978 through 1984), and Michael Anthony, bassist for Van Halen and Chickenfoot. Roth’s existing catalog, including his Van Halen and solo work, as well as Anthony’s work with Van Halen and Chickenfoot’s debut self-titled album, are part of the agreements.

“Sammy Hagar, David Lee Roth and Michael Anthony have not only each co-written hit songs recorded by Van Halen on some of the highest-selling albums of all time, but each had success on other solo or band recording projects as well,” said Scott Francis, President, Warner/Chappell Music, and Chairman and CEO, Warner/Chappell Music U.S.

“Their work is classic, timeless and adored around the world. The entire Warner/Chappell staff is excited to be working with such revered musicians who we know will continue to thrill fans for years to come.”

Warner/Chappell made a similar announcement in August regarding the administration of publishing by Eddie and Alex Van Halen.

Filed Under: Alex Van Halen, Chickenfoot, David Lee Roth, Eddie Van Halen, Michael Anthony, Sammy Hagar, Van Halen

Old School Halen

This is GREAT NEWS for three simple reasons:

1) Big deals like this arent made anymore unless something HUGE is on the horizon — namely, a monster new album from Roth-VH followed by a HUGE world tour. There’s a lot of money to be made from VH in 2011/2012 — and Warner wants their slice of the pie.

2) Dave FINALLY gets his share of the pie. Everyone knows Dave was screwed out of his due from 1978-1984 and he was just as responsible for creating the mighty VH as Eddie was. Nice to see Warner ponying up the cash for the man responsible for helping Edward write so many legendary hits — Diamond Dave.

3) This could open the floodgates for some awesome shit — like boxed sets of older bootlegged material and even a video masterpiece of the entire 1981 Oakland show which every VH fan is absolutely dying to see. Personally, I would jizz in my undies if I was able to see a Blu-ray taken straight from the master film reels of ’81 Oakland and mized in 7.1 surround — TURN IT THE FUCK UP, PEOPLE !!!
JACK N SAM

Categorization on a chart does not define whether a band is pop or rock. Everyone knows Van Hagar was a pop band because that’s what dreams are made of…
Cam Winston

Time to dance…..dance…..dance the night away, Jack.

Or, maybe cover a girl band & Dance in the streets.

You Dave a## kissers are hilarious…..
Mark

Many are asking for a re-mastering of the Hagar era.

OU812 however doesn’t need a re-mastering, it needs a full re-mixing. A re-mastering would help on it, but damn is that a sonic turd.

Such a product of the time, like Presto by Rush and others in the late 80′s, there is absolutely no balls/bottom end in the mixing.

I would have fired Landee too after OU812.
Dan the Man

Its Time!!
http://VHND HIKER MAN

It would be very cool to see them do a big reunion tour with both band’s, It would be some cool music and some great shows. BRING THEM ALL BACK EDDIE
bsc

I love the Dave era VH, and 9 times outta 10 when I pop in a VH CD that’s what it is.. But seriously “Jack N Sam”.. “that’s what dreams are made of”? Have you ever listened to that song? I mean song’s like that and Right Now, Mine all mine, Feelin’.. great tunes and if you try to play them, it’s just as daunting a task as say playing I’m the one. I love all the VH records, as long as Eddie Van Halen’s the one playing guitar what is there to complain about or knock?..Just my 2cents
Dooley

Cam:

Great comeback. You rock!!
http://youtube.com/joshkosh95 Joshua Gallagher

All these comments about which singers better and no michael anthony…All I want is some new music from Eddie and Alex!
JACK N SAM

I only commented on Van Hagar because some people interpreted this news as a hope to bring both singers together on a tour, and I’m saying Van Hagar is over. I have listened to those tunes plenty – Van Halen lite was better than no Van Halen at all. But those tunes don’t hold up over time – classic Van Halen does. Even when the music was good, Sam dragged it down to the level of a 6th grader.

For me it shows that no matter how good the music is or the guitar player is, the singer can still drag it down. Dave never did that – that is partly why the classic VH catalogue has far outsold the Van Hagar catalogue and why the recent tour with Dave was the biggest in the band’s history.

I’m not trying to convince anyone to agree with me. Everyone should listen to what they like and if it’s good for you that’s all that matters.
Jones

Jack N Sam: You should preface that whole stupid rant by saying “It’s MY OPINION…”

Hagar tunes with Halen have stood the test of time. Just not for you.

So, you’re comparing Van Hagar to Justin Bieber with that ’6th grader’ comment? Real informative…..thanks for the input.

And, using the recent (2006-7) as evidence of anything at all is ludicrous. It was the first time they’ve been on stage rocking in 22 years. It was NOSTALGIA, and if they try to do it again, they’ll kill the band completely.

It’s this simple: For some people, the band died when Roth left, 22 years ago. For others, the band died after F.U.C.K., and for others it’s not yet dead.

For me, the band died after Carnal Knowledge…..which camp are you guys in?
phillster

I see the same old faces and hear that same old talk.
andym

Jones: excellent points. I agree that VH died after F.U.C.K. It hasn’t been the same since. They rushed to finish Balance and that album could have been much better. VH3 with Gary doesn’t even count as VH to me.

Jack N Sam: I basically agree with Jones, you’re an idiot. “Van Hagar” tunes are just as solid as Roth tunes. You can’t sit there and tell us that “Dancing in the Streets”, “Dance the Night Away”, “Jump”, “Little Guitars”, “Feel Your Love Tonight” among others weren’t written to be or sound like pop songs (by your definition anyway).

The Roth era only “outsold” the Hagar era (as you proclaim) because the Roth era has been out for 7 or 8 more years. If Sammy was the first singer in VH – meaning if you were to flip flop the material and singers – Hagar would have sold more. The Tour was the “biggest in VH history” because of suckers like you who couldn’t wait to see Dave and Eddie on stage again. VH knew what they were doing…minimal effort of no new music and book a reunion tour. They could have sat in recliners on stage and lip-synced the songs and people still would have gone nuts!!! By the way, the biggest VH tour before the Roth tour was…you guessed it, the Sammy VH tour in 2004. Hmm…I wonder why???

Moron.

PS – Dave isn’t back just yet…still haven’t heard anything from him have we???
andym

And how could we forget DLR’s solo career in pop music…

Just Like Paradise
California Girls
Just A Gigolo
That’s Life
Shoo Bop

Please…the guy is a walking pop machine.
51504VH

I honestly can’t remember the last time I heard a Van Hagar song on the rock station but I hear Panama, Hot for Teacher and Runnin with the Devil all the time. I don’y hear any Hagar solo stuff or any Chickenlittle.
phillster

I guess according to andym the last tour was literally attended by nothing but “suckers in a 3 piece suit”.lol
All I saw was nothing but smiles from the nosebleeds to the very front row.
Guess you had to be there.
Your loss bro.
“Rainy days and Mondays Always Get Me Down”
cheer-up andym, there`ll be another weekend soon:)
patrick

@51504VH…thats odd because around my area there are many rock stations and its not uncommon to hear a van halen/hagar era song.chickenfoots “sexy little thing” is played pretty regular.now i cant remember the last time i heard a solo roth song.
andym

51504VH: I don’t know what area you are in but in the Philly area, we get plenty of VH with Dave AND Sammy. We also hear an occasional Chickenfoot song or some of Sammy’s solo stuff. Like Patrick said, I don’t know when the last time I heard a Roth solo song on the radio. Most stations have been playing the Roth stuff lately because he’s the “current” lead singer……..or so VH says.

Phillster: I’m disappointed to see that over the years you still can’t make an educated response. Of course everyone from top to bottom at the 2007 tour shows was smiling…it was a VH concert and the first time Dave and Eddie were on stage in 23 years. I did get to see 3 shows that tour and I was happy to be at some kind of a live VH show. But you know what…I saw the same smiles at the 2004 Sammy reunion show. And the VH3 tour with Gary. And the Balance tour. And the Right Here, Right Now tour. And the F.U.C.K. tour. And the 1984 tour. Are you catching on yet Phillster?????
Jones

andym: No. They’re not catching on yet. It’s like talking reason to a teabagger in politics…..it doesn’t work.

The 2007 ‘Nostalgia’ Tour was good for then, but if they do that again, you’re not going to see ‘smiles from the nosebleeds to the very front row’. What you’ll see is cancelled shows….

Don’t bother trying to defend Hagar anymore. It’s useless. Non-Hagar fans are not going to change their minds. And, the funny part is this: I’ve never met anybody that said the Hagar era was better than the Roth era. So, it begs the question: Why the panicked defense of the Roth-era???? Could it be frustration and jealousy? Frustration that Roth left, and jealousy that Hagar is still working with the top musicians?

51504VH: nice try bro. Van Hagar is on the air as much as Van Roth. But, this is for SURE: Solo Roth is NEVER on. Solo Hagar is…..
51504vh

I made a strap for my guitar out of chain like Ed sported back in the day. Go to Home Depot and get (2) eye hooks, (1) 50″ Twist Link Chain, and (2) 3-9/16″ Double End Snap Hooks. It took five minutes and it’s solid as hell, looks cool, and is surprisingly comfortable.

jones and andym: It’s not about which singer is better to me, as a guitar player it’s about the music and I (personally) haven’t appreciated anything from the Hagar era. Ed cheated himself and the rest of us with his guitar ability (lack of) during the Hagar era. Ed toned it down during the Sammy years and Slash became the better player. I’m a guitar player and EVH inspired me to play but he f***ed off a lot of years and talent after ’84 and his better days are long gone unfortunately.

Anyone that plays the guitar, knows that EVH played his best stuff by far during the “Early Years” of Van Halen.

I believe that Sammy is more musically talented than Roth but whenever I play Van Halen, Dave is always the one that’s singing.

We all have our opinions and I can respect yours.
JACK N SAM

Van Hagar fans sure are touchy And they always seem to want to bring Dave’s solo work into the discussion. I am not a “David Lee Roth” fan. I am a Van Halen fan. There is a difference. And I don’t dislike Sam – Standing Hampton rocks. Sam solo was fine, but he didn’t belong in Van Halen. Did Sam ruin Van Halen? No, they all did collectively, and it did go downhill after 1984.

Maybe it is just a totally different persepective if you were a fan from the beginning as opposed to buying 5150 when you were 13.

But thankfully that is in the past, and we can all look forward to new music in just a few months. Ed seems to have really turned things around and is in a happy place. And with Dave’s input I really don’t think they will let any of their fans down. Here’s to the future…
phillster

amdym,for the record,it`s only been a year since you started picking on me,not “years”(although it feels like it).
YOUR Quote:The Tour was the “biggest in=VH=history because suckers like YOU who couldn`t wait to see DAVE&ED onstage again.”
You went 3 times.
So how are you not a”sucker”too?
Catching on??
I`m way ahead of you…
hypocrite.
patrick

JACK N SAM…i dont think people who like the hagar era are near as touchy as the hardcore roth era fans.i think its a sign of how succesfull they were during the hagar era when they still bash it 15 years after hagar was a full time member.its kind of rare for me to bash the solo roth stuff since its pretty much forgotten.
phillster

Jones:
=VANf`nHALEN= has been around So long that it is EVERY BIT
the SAME “Nostalgia act” as”THEWHO”,”ROLLINGSTONES”,”ZEPPELIN”,”SABBOTH”,”Beatles”etc.etc.Or ANY other iconic band.
They Will Never have to worry about selling tickets.
Just ask andym,-he saw the last tour 3 times just to say he hated it.
WHATTA BUNCH OF CRY-BABIES.
51504vh

lol…”He saw the tour 3 times just to say he hated it”.

Holy Shit…that was funny!…lol.
Jones

phillster: “They will never have to worry about selling tickets”

Tell that to the 5 thousand people that went to VHIII show at Arco Arena.

And for the last time: WE ALL KNOW THE ROTH YEARS WERE BETTER. But, he left the band and there’s NOTHING you or I or anyone can do about it.

Let it go boys….Let it go. Roth is back (allegedly).

Personally, after hearing him sing on the 2007 tour, I’d rather have Fergie front the band.
phillster

I`m pretty sure it wasn`t Fergie fronting VHIII tour.
But it might as well have been.
Nobody`s gonna see the STONES without Mick Jagger or Keith Richards either.Well.. maybe YOU would.
phillster

“I`m disappointed to see that over the years,you still can`t make an educated response”-lol
I got one:
“Fat,Drunk,and Stupid is no way to go through life son.”
(Dean Wormer,”Animal House”)LOL.
ROTH SAYS:”You`ll be hearing from us in 7-8 months”…
So cheer-up andym&Jonesy!!In the spring you can buy a new album and go see 3 shows and hate it all over again
All at your own expense.
Don`t forget to buy a T-shirt.
patrick

@phillster…wow,dave roth actually said “you’ll be hearing from us in 7-8 months”?i didnt know that was confirmed…i just thought some random fan said that.
Cam Winston

Jones, I was all with you until you went politico. Please leave the robotic left wing talking points to the likes of Maddow & Olbermann & keep up with the spot-on VH analysis.
phillster

@patrick…
It`s about as confirmed as “your mother wears army boots”.
I`m willing to believe in both statements at this point.
phillster

ANYBODY ELSE GOT A RIDICULOUS COMPLAINT???
NO???
I THOUGHT SO.
http://www.youtube.com/joshkosh95 Josh

@Andym “PS – Dave isn’t back just yet…still haven’t heard anything from him have we???” actually we have from that little event with a fan, he confirmed that he is still in van halen and that we will be hearing from them within the next “7 to 8 months”. This was in september or august, I think.
JacksonD

What about a “SUPERGROUP” tour and music? Two of the best front men in the business! If everyone could get around the BS, there would be a ton of money for all the guys. You can say what you want, but the Van Halen Greatest hits is some of the best music you can jam to. BOTH SAMMY AND DAVE ROCK!! I’m a Sammy Hagar fan since the early 70′s. But early VH is great music! Think about it guys, if everyone reunites it’s big money,bottom line. Let’s have the “Best of Both Worlds”.

Peace!

Doc
RON

forget about wolfy no one wants to see that kid up there the real fans what to see Michael Anthony back in the band.gosh eddie bring him back do it for the fans!
Joel

When Sammy Hagar was in Van Halen he sang the DLR era songs, so Dave has to sing his era songs also. They will still want to be heard right along with his era songs. I don’t think DLR will be able to pull it off and sing Sammy’s songs. Sure he can sing them I’m sure, but probably not worth a shit.