The Van Halen News Desk is celebrating the careers of David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar this week as both celebrate birthdays. The VHND’s Eric Senich and Van Halen historian Greg Renoff got together to talk the past, present and future of both singers.
Renoff – author of “Van Halen Rising: How A Southern California Backyard Party Band Saved Heavy Metal” and “Ted Templeman: A Platinum Producer’s Life In Music” – was a guest on Eric’s podcast “Booked On Rock” this week and here’s a rundown of what’s covered in the episode which you can hear below:
- When did Greg first discover Dave and Sammy and what was his first impression?
- How much of Sammy’s pre-Van Halen solo career was Greg aware of, was he a fan?
- How far back was Dave aware Sammy was considered to be the band’s singer in 1978 and did Ted Templeman ever tell Dave or the band at that time?
- Is there a book on Van Halen that hasn’t been written yet that Greg would like to see released?
- If an artist asked Greg to co-write a “tell all/dish the dirt” book, would he be interested?
- Sammy reached out to Ted Templeman to help capture the classic sound of Michael Anthony’s vocals for his latest album Crazy Times. What did Ted tell Greg about his time recording the classic Van Halen backing vocals?
- What does Greg think about Dave’s retirement, his role in the Eddie Van Halen tribute, Dave’s recent re-recordings of Van Halen songs and his “California Sessions” songs recorded with John 5?
- If an Eddie tribute does happen, how would Greg like it to play out, how many concerts, who would be involved?
- What do you predict for the future of Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth?