Mike and Sam appeared in the press room after accepting their Rock Hall trophies, and answered some questions. Here are some highlights:
Mike, after being asked why he wasn’t invited to participate in the now-postponed summer reunion tour with Dave:
“I don’t know. I’m here. I’m ready to play. The people wanna hear it. Sammy and I are out there giving the fans what they want.”
Sammy, on his and/or Van Halen’s current tour plans:
“I planned on taking this year off and just hanging with my family and traveling around. Haven’t done that for a long time. Then this came up and I kinda wish I woulda booked a tour. But I’m gonna tour from my birthday in October … through the rest of next year. And I’m sure Mike will be out there … unless Van Halen wants to do it. I’m not being funny. If we all grew up—including me, and Mike—and all of us can all grow up and ALL of us do it together [including Dave], I’m down with that, anytime, anyplace, anywhere. But let’s just hope that Eddie comes out the other side, you know, better than ever, and I think that’ll make everything a lot easier.”
Sammy, in response to whether he was upset about not being a participant in Van Halen’s now-postponed summer ’07 tour:
“Not at all. I totally encourage the thing with Dave. I think that if Van Halen has any move that they should do in their life for the fans right now is do a reunion with Dave. They’ve done it with me. We’ve done everything you can possibly do. I think the fans need a Dave reunion, and then, like I said, if we all grow up, we can all get together and do it for real.”
Asked if they were surprised Dave wasn’t here tonight:
Sam: “Honestly? Yeah.”
Mike: [Raises hand] “I was.”