Promo video for Sammy’s “Best of Both Worlds” episode
Sammy Hagar dares to imagine a future where Van Halen hits the road with BOTH lead singers. He has put together the “ultimate” setlist if there ever were a Van Halen reunion tour with Eddie, Alex, Michael Anthony, David Lee Roth, and Sammy Hagar.
He revealed his dream setlist during episode #101 of Sammy Hagar’s Top Rock Countdown, which aired March 24th on rock radio across the nation. The episode was appropriately titled “The Best of Both Worlds.”
“Fans have been asking me all the time– is there ever going to be a Van Halen reunion? Well, if that ever happens, the ultimate Van Halen setlist – I put it together for the show. It’s the best of both worlds. This is what the fans would like to hear. Michael Anthony on bass, Eddie Van Halen on guitar, Alex Van Halen on drums, Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth on vocals. All Van Halen in the house!”
Now, hold on a second. Sammy said that fans are asking, “Is there ever going to be a Van Halen reunion?” Sammy’s conveniently ignoring the fact that there already is an ongoing Van Halen reunion… which of course is the lineup that David Lee Roth calls “three quarters original, one quarter inevitable.” The Eddie/Alex/David/Wolf lineup has been together for nearly 12 years, and has accomplished three hugely successful North American tours, which have grossed a total of nearly $200 million! But we’re not surprised Sammy’s ignoring that fact. In fairness, Roth mostly dismisses Hagar’s era, as well.
Sammy’s expected bias aside, our curiosity was definitely piqued. Which songs would he admit are his favorite from the David Lee Roth era – the era that he usually downplays? And which ones would he want to represent his own era with? Would he want an equal number of songs from both eras?
We were hoping to hear an audio recording of the full episode, but none have surfaced. However, we have his dream setlist, below, and we acquired a recording of the first segment of the show, thanks to Pam Landry and Andy Denemark at United Radio Stations Radio Network. Listen here:
Sammy’s Dream Van Halen Setlist: (DLR in blue, SH in red)
1. Eruption
2. You Really Got Me
3. Runnin’ With The Devil
4. Why Can’t This Be Love
5. Dreams
6. Unchained
7. Everybody Wants Some
8. Finish What You Started
9. (Unknown song w/ Sammy)
10. Hot For Teacher
11. (Unknown song w/ Dave)
12. Right Now
13. Poundcake
14. Somebody Get Me A Doctor
15. Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love
16. Don’t Tell Me What Love Can Do
17. (Unknown song w/ Sammy)
18. And The Cradle Will Rock
19. Jump
20. Top Of The World
21. Humans Being
So in total, Sammy’s dream setlist is comprised of a total of ten Dave-era songs, ten Sammy-era songs, plus one instrumental to kick it all off, “Eruption.”
Note about the 3 missing songs: As you can see, songs 9, 11, & 17 are not listed. This is because Sammy posted his setlist online, but mistakenly didn’t include 4 songs that were part of his list on his radio show. We added “Runnin’ With The Devil,” because we got ahold of the first segment of his show, and he specifically named that song. So we’ll ask everyone — does anyone have his full list of all 21 songs, or have a recording of his complete radio show that we could feature? If so, email us at news@vhnd.com and we’ll update our article.
Our thoughts on his picks? On one hand, the idea of splitting the setlist equally with Dave and Sammy songs in this hypothetical situation makes perfect sense. It would only seem logical and fair. But on the other hand, it does not take into account the fact that the Dave era songs get played on nationwide radio more than the Sammy era songs – which makes us think that, in general, most of the songs the public wants to listen to happen to be from the Dave era. That said, it would of course seem strange to tour with both singers, only to have one of them on stage during most of the concert. Therefore, would fans be okay with some of the band’s most popular classics from the Dave years not getting played, in order to make equal time for the Sammy era songs? Perhaps they would. After all, the Sammy songs have not been performed live in a long time.
Granted, all this speculation is just for fun, because we don’t think it’s likely that the band would ever tour with both Dave and Sammy.
What do YOU think of Sammy’s choices? Share your thoughts in the comments.