Sammy Hagar Shares How He Got Envious Of David Lee Roth
via Sammy Hagar / Youtube
Sammy Hagar recently made headlines when David Lee Roth shared statements about him and Eddie Van Halen’s son, Wolfgang. In a recent interview with ABC Audio, Hagar expressed his admiration for Van Halen’s iconic ‘1984’ album, despite Roth’s verbal attacks against him. The singer also revealed that he was envious of one particular song on the album.
Contrasting Perspectives: Hagar’s Respect for Roth’s Work
Hagar stated,
“I was a huge fan of that record. You know, Eddie, I just fell in love with Eddie with that. You know, I felt I was in competition until I heard ‘Jump’ and the song went, you know, it was such a big hit. I just went, ‘Wow, they did it.’ I was mad, I was upset.”
The former Van Halen singers have not been on the same page for a very long time, as evidenced by Roth’s famous videos on his YouTube channel. In these videos, Roth took jabs at both Sammy and Wolfgang. However, Hagar seems willing to appreciate Roth’s work with Van Halen, regardless of the animosity between them.
When asked about the main difference between him and Roth, Hagar highlighted their contrasting approaches to their careers. In a 2021 interview with Inside With Paulo Baron, the Red Rocker stated,
“The difference between him and I is that I sincerely care – I care about everything I do and I care how it affects people and I care what they think. … I don’t think he cares about anything like that. And that’s the difference between our presence. He’s very much into himself, very much into being a showman, and doesn’t really care. I don’t know what he cares about, I really don’t. But I don’t know him. I have no idea who that guy is – I don’t think anyone does. But he entertains me. I enjoy watching him do stupid sh*t.”
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Reunion Rumors and Conflicting Statements
Regarding the possibility of a reunion and performing together, rumors circulated last year when Hagar invited Roth and Alex Van Halen to join him for a tribute show to Eddie Van Halen. During an appearance on the Howard Stern Show, Hagar expressed his willingness to make it happen, saying,
“If Alex Van Halen wants to jump out, if David Lee Roth wants to come out and join us, come on motherf*ckers, you are welcome. This is about Van Halen.”
In response to Hagar’s invitation, Roth stated,
“I’m ready to go. Let’s do this.”
However, the story did not end there. Shortly after, Hagar clarified that he did not want Roth to join him on stage. In the comment section of his Instagram video, he shared the following statement,
“He ain’t coming out with me again. Maybe, 1 show, a song, or 2, if he remembers the words.”
Despite the ongoing tension between the former bandmates, fans continue to hope for a resolution and the possibility of witnessing a Van Halen reunion. The legacy of Van Halen, their music, and the impact they have had on rock and roll remain a significant part of their shared history.
You can watch Sammy Hagar’s full interview with Inside With Paulo Baron on below.
