Video: Sammy Hagar Answers Fan Questions

All i can say is the ball is in Eddies’ court. I will always be a Van Halen fan and love both eras and never chose sides on the singers. I hope Eddie stays healthy and puts out a great cd. He is one of a kind type of talent and musician. Time to put away the past and focus on the music.
The soap opera has gone on long enough.

I know that he is entitled to his own opinion about all things VH, but why can’t he just wish them, especially Eddie, well and focus on his own life? Trashing VH at every opportunity is really getting old. Using “the fans want to know” excuse is equally bogus. Too bad that talking about VH is the only thing that gets him back into Rolling Stone.

…cool to see Sammy !

Hes just so down to earth, cool and smart. I love sammy as an artist and a human being. “you left out chicken foot pal” lol

Not a Sammy fan, but his comments about Van Halen were dead on. When Dave and Ted Templeman quarterbacked Van Halen, the band made Rock n Roll history. When Hagar and Ed Leffler took charge, the band kept putting out new music and touring. Ed and Al’s stewardship of the band has been poor at best. Gary Cherone, Desmond Child, Glenn Ballard, Mike Post, John Shanks… All are Eddie Van Halen “yes” men. Only a strong and respected Producer could have pulled this off. John Shanks is just another one of EVH “brothers”/”yes men”.

Thanks for posting this guys.

No promo Sammy wild man silliness which always seems so fake. Nice to see that he can still act normal

Comment about VH was spot on and mature. I like to think they have moved past their control or trust issues for the most part – hopefully. If they can control the substance abuse they can think more clearly.

Right on JACK N SAM. He hardly comes off as the same guy who wrote the book.

I can’t believe Mas Tequila is his favorite post Halen solo song. That’s the very tune that made me lose interest in him. The Gary Glitter riff, the bad monologuing about “partying” and the ham fisted crowd chant chorus. Blechch.

Hit the nail on the head about VH

He’s right about the trust thing. Eddie has a bad way of thinking he’s the victim. I’m no huge Sammy fan, but he was on about that.

@Mark22 who said “John Shanks is just another one of EVH “brothers”/”yes men”.”

Not so fast there partner. John did work on the Diamond Dave cd, to what extent, I don’t know. He may be a DLR recommendation for all we know.

Thanks for taking the time Sam. See you in Tahoe in May and September, and then see you again in Cabo for your birthday.

Give me 6 on the half shell!

Sam and Dave understand the biz despite coming at it from two different angles.

I’m learning that Sammy is a talented singer and perhaps an even better business man!

Ed and Al are lost.

Thats Cool. Thanks Sam!

@ Let’s Rock

WTF? He was asked about HIS favorite songs, not to guess what yours are.

Different strokes for different strokes man.

I think it’s cool to know what peoples tastes are. The good part of your post is saying what YOU like in that era.

When Sam was answering questions from outside people, I was waiting for: “And Roth Leaps asks…”, now that would have been classic.

I thought that was real cool!!

Sammys replies seem to be honest and fom the heart. I read his book also and at first felt he revealed a little to much about Ed and his problems but if you read closely he also airs a lot of his own dirty laundry too and seems to “let it all hang out”. Sadly, most of it seems to state the same facts as Valeries books and pobably has a lot of truth to it. BUT…We ALL screw up and move on with the lessons learned and grow from our mistakes. And I’ll be willing to bet in the near future you’ll see and hear that Eddie has as well.Stay strong buddy. You’re looking great. Can’t wait.

Imagine that — actually paying attention to your fans. As far as I’m concerned Sammy is a way better artist simply because he pays attention (and answers his fan’s questions) to his fans. EVH, et al clearly aren’t in it for their fans — they’d rather capitalize on “mystery, smoke and mirrors” and keeping their fanbase at bay. Janie really isn’t much of a publicist as far as I can tell. Sammy, he’s a one-man PR firm in and of himself and I’m glad he contributes as much as he does. He has a gift, and he shares it with his fans. EVH keeps it for himself…

bash all you want. eddie will never do a video like that.

I think he feels that Ed and Al are klanish. I think when you have a two brothers that are very gifted and use there last name for the band witch is awesome in it self. Also it happens to be that both are a great fit. So we as fans can only take snipits. Good to see all seem happy thats all I really care about. And all the guys have givin us great music.

I think Sam could have said a lot more about Ed in his book. He could have said what Ed was strung out on during 2004, which he alluded to, but didn’t say. Say what you want about Hagar, but he’s honest…what does he care what people say.. he’s not begging to be in VH, just the contrary. I think Mike feels the same way. The glory years are gone. They seem incapable of producing anything. Ed didn’t even play well on the so called “reunion” tour. I laugh at all the enablers who stick up for bitter Ed. Screw new Van Halen music, people should just hope the guy gets his life in order and his addictions under control.

Sammy would be in the rock hall of fame because nowadays they will let almost anyone in.

For the person who said Sammy isn’t begging to be back in VH…uh, he may not be outright begging but it’s damn near that.

He’s a douchbag these days, but in spite of that, he is right about the brothers not trusting anyone outside of that tight group.

@Growapair

Listen, I don’t want to harsh on you too much, because starting a stupid comparison is not what I want to see yet again. But…..

You have to get it, that Sam acknowledges that VH was the absolute pinnacle of his career and afforded him many opportunities that he otherwise would not have had. He has said this many times in many different forums. You are beating a dead horse with that stupid “he wouldn’t have been as successful without VH” rhetoric. Yeah, you’re right. Everyone understands this, even Hagar.

As far as being in the R&R HOF: Again, you’re in all probability correct. DUH. I do have to point out, the same could easily be said about both of the other guys that sang in VH. And on top of that, a case could be made that the band itself would not be there. Think about it. If they had disbanded after the departure of DLR, would the body of work be enough? Hard to say definitively. So, a case can be made that the brothers really needed Sam to help them build on what they started.

I readily admit that VH no doubt harbors some resentment, but I don’t think “goofy” is what they see when they look at him.

One last thing: Did you read the book? Somehow I doubt it. If you had, I don’t think “thrashing” is the verbiage you’d use.

I don’t like every single move Sam makes, but I think he has every right to publish his book and get some things out on the table – he was there. I think he answered honestly about VH in this clip and as many people have said – he nailed it (gracefully). On the other hand, when he wrote the book, he had a guy digging for information and he knowingly shared some very uncomfortable stuff about his life – and I’m totally cool with that. Anything less would have been dishonest to millions of fans that want to know all about their heroes and to some degree we deserve to know – it’s been extremely difficult being a Van Halen fan all these years. I know an individual that was part of the VH camp for 20 years (and still in occasional contact) and there are worse details that could have been shared. I still love Ed and wish the best for him – but you could say that some of this is karma coming back around. I’d like to see him weather through it and come out strong and on top. We all know how big rock star egos are, and how tight the VH brothers are. But maybe (hope springs eternal…) all of this will be a humbling experience to some degree. How can anyone defend some of the stuff that went down? I would have total respect for Ed if he eventually just said “Yeah, I was an addict, I made terrible mistakes, and some ugly stuff went down in the past. I can’t change what happened, so now I’m recovering and moving forward.” It’s not really our place as fans to “forgive” Ed. That said it would be awesome to see him avoid defending anything that Sam has said (if true), accept it, and move on. He’s apparently sober for some time now and living his life and very involved with his son and family. He should be proud of this and move on. Fans will still be there and embrace Ed and his new sober life.

Still hopeful for that new Van Halen album.

I love how people on here are mad at Sam for telling the truth…..People forget that the VH brothers ASKED HIM to be in Van Halen. Then they kick him out and everyone is mad at HIM. How many years has it been since VH has put out new music? I forgot, someone remind me?…..Waiting….hello?
wait….how many years?………um……whats that you say?……..how many?…….anyone? anyone? Bueller…Bueller………….