ALEX VAN HALEN On Why He Didn't Cover HAGAR In His Book: 'The Original Band Was The Driving Force'

[@jimmyr204]

The Van Halen brothers were no saints themselves.

[@toddmorrissey8372]

Agreed. I don't think that anyone familiar with their whole careers and that takes an unbiased look would come to the conclusion that basically, they were assholes.

[@robl4837]

thats for sure.

[@discernment8963]

Of course not. I haven't read the book, but I have heard Al's interviews. Not capping up for anyone, but he doesn't come off giving the impression that he and Ed are poor innocent angels in this. At least that's not the impression I got. A bunch of very talented driven guys butting head's a lot of the time. Throw in unlimited drugs and alcohol with $ being no object, and it's a 3 ring flying Circus. I'm 66. I'm also from the San Gabriel Valley a few miles away from where VH came from. I started seeing them at backyard Keggers. A guy I worked with grew up on the same street as the brothers, we'd help load equipment. I was a college Football player, I had a bit of a Self Defense background, so I got into Bodyguard/Security work around the soCal Rock scene for about a decade. I didn't know anyone super well, but Everybody was decent to me. Like I said before, young extremely talented dudes having a dream come true, with nobody saying NO. I've both lived and seen similar with even us guys making normal $. It always took 2 to Tango.

[@ChazinFl1]

Say no to Sammy Gaybar

[@Me-qp8vz]

lame

[@drlarrymitchell]

Hagar always felt to me like he wandered in off the street and no one wanted to be the one to tell him to leave.

[@robl4837]

Sammy Hagar was wrapping up a tour with Montrose when Eddie Van Halen approached him to join Van Halen. Sammy had been on the road with Montrose, performing around 130 shows before Eddie reached out to him at the mechanic's garage. Sammy didn't go looking to join Van Halen; he was approached by Eddie while he was already in a band.

[@Fallingtower969]

The opposite of Love is not Hate. It's complete indifference. Great move Alex! Give Sammy No Energy...No thought.

[@ThomasCollier-rs9yz]

Alex wrote a book about Van Halen not Van Gina

[@almosthuman56]

@@ThomasCollier-rs9yz You are correct

[@acorn-yy1gi]

By 1982, they were clearly turning into Van Gina.

[@ThomasCollier-rs9yz]

@@acorn-yy1gi Never liked Van Halen at all

[@Jaake-my2rq]

It's good to finally hear some honesty about that situation. You can always count on the drummer to give you the straight dope; we're a straightforward, no nonsense lot. That's probably why Alex was pretty quiet when Ed was going for the gold in creative justification when that type of interview question came up.

[@GhostfaceGriller-hd7jw]

Sammy Hagar is the Andy Dick of rock music.

[@SWEETFA24]

All 3 books Alex's , Noel Monk, and Ted Templeman states that the original band is the definitive VH . No argument there.

[@JanaWright-ii6qz]

It would not have mattered who replaced DLR. NO ONE could’ve filled those shoes.

[@jcanada9405]

Man.. all this does is stir up feelings of what a drag it was Dave quit in '85. Nice to hear Alex and Dave's relationship remains intact. They are pretty much family.

[@goneshootin61]

The real van halen 1978 -1984 .

[@ericcurry-pitcher5493]

Arrived home to find several videos from the Doctor. I love it when that happens. Btw, Great podcast with Kevin, I hope to see more of those.

[@julianschulz1620]

I loved Alex' book, read it back in October. He ended it, when the band ended, in my opinion. I remember when i first heard "Why can't this be love?" on the radio. My impression was: This is even WORSE than i expected!

[@klacustoms]

I'm shocked! I never knew you felt this way about Sammy! Lol! 'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even Sammy the mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that the band Van Halen soon would be playing there; The children were nestled all snug in their beds; While visions of grandiose music danced in their heads; And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap, When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The scratching and clawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my head, and was turning around, Down the chimney Sammy came with Mikey following around. He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, And he looked like a pedler just opening his pack. His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow; He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself; A wink of his eye and a twist of his head Soon gave me to know I had something to dread; He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And filled all the stockings; then turned around being a jerk, “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!” You know I was in Van Gina, right??

[@almosthuman56]

haha. Merry Christmas!

[@klacustoms]

@@almosthuman56 Merry Christmas

[@toddmorrissey8372]

In my house, traditionally we open some Xmas gifts on Xmas eve. My brother , knowing my life-long VH love, had paid to go to a tattoo parlor, have the design drawn up AND the lyrics(being the main focus) for the Belcher abortion "Dreams", which was to cover almost my entire back. He's mybrother, so i love him. But i was so.....pissed off.....freaked out....that as I was kicking him outta my house I screamed "There were much cheaper and easier way to finally admit to the family that you're a RAGING PICKLE-WHISTLIN', SUPER-FRUITY BUTT PIRATE!!".

[@goodquestion1105]

@@toddmorrissey8372 at the risk catching severe secondhand embarrassment; may I ask what lyric from Dreams your bro had selected?

[@TJJamesmusic]

Simple fact with Dave VH sold around 50 million worldwide and with Sammy around 25 million They also approached Australian rock royalty Jimmy Barnes to replace David Lee Roth

[@antoniohinojosa8771]

Sammy will spin it

[@jameswest4259]

This is an excellent Christmas gift and the video too! Love you brother 🤘

[@jackroberts9401]

I believe the third choice for DLRs replacement was Jimmy Barnes from Cold Chisel in Australia.

[@goodquestion1105]

Barnesey was a heavy drinker himself, but even he thought the VH brothers were next level users.

[@Thomas-t9u2h]

SAM THE HAM IS IRRELEVANT and Alex Van Halen has every right to reflect on his past in regards to the success of the innovative and classic VAN HALEN.

[@richevans609]

Sammy is nuts.

[@jimmypage9198]

As usual I completely agree with you Ralph Thanks also for always saying the true facts about album sales and popularity The exact facts that Sammy distorts continually Alex is a good man As a matter of fact he's a much better man than I am He doesn't have anything good to say about Sammy so he doesn't say anything 👍 I don't have anything good to say about Sammy and honestly I don't have the same self-control Alex does Before Van Halen nobody was looking for Sammy After Van Halen nobody is looking for Sammy Same as it always was 😃 Lastly just as I have always said There is no Van Halen without Edward Another very true fact Alex completely understands

[@almosthuman56]

Well said

[@robl4837]

Sammy Hagar had already made a name for himself with Montrose before joining Van Halen. Eddie Van Halen approached him, seeing the potential in his talent and energy. Sammy didn't need Van Halen to prove himself, and he's continued to thrive in his career even after leaving the band. His ventures and success post-Van Halen have shown that he can stand strong on his own.

[@jimmypage9198]

@@robl4837 He can stand on his own He never brings up his solo career I'm basically a senior citizen and live on the East Coast I never heard any Sammy Hagar song on the radio growing up Montrose or otherwise I'm sure bad motor scooter means profound things to other people But it sounds stupid to me I like Sammy's arm wrestling song in the Sylvester Stallone movie over the top I get inspired by that one I get inspired to not be like Sammy A sellout I like songs that other people enjoy everywhere Call me crazy I'm just not as cool as Sammy I agree

[@robl4837]

@@jimmypage9198 I was just saying that Sammy had already made a name for himself before joining Van Halen. Here are the albums: "Montrose" (1973) - This is the debut album by the band Montrose, featuring Sammy Hagar on vocals. "Paper Money" (1974) - The second album by Montrose, also with Sammy Hagar. "Nine on a Ten Scale" (1976) - Sammy Hagar's first solo album. "Sammy Hagar" (1977) - Sammy's second solo album. "Musical Chairs" (1977) - Sammy's third solo album. "Street Machine" (1979) - Sammy's fourth solo album. "Danger Zone" (1980) - Sammy's fifth solo album. "Standing Hampton" (1982) - Sammy's sixth solo album. "VOA", which came out in 1984 It just sounded like you were saying that Sammy was nothing until he joined Van Halen and was nothing after the Van Halen brothers fired him. It's perfectly fine if you don't like Hagar; that's your opinion. But saying you never heard any of his music-I'm not sure what radio station you listen to, but look up the songs on "Standing Hampton" and just about every one of those was played on the radio. I am also a senior citizen and live on the East Coast.

[@A-1-Lyric]

Merry Metal Christmas Ralph 🎄👉U Rock 🤘

[@almosthuman56]

Merry Christmas

[@capnmo6718]

Merry Christmas, Ralph!

[@almosthuman56]

Merry Christmas

[@goodquestion1105]

Belcher should just move on and do his own thing. But he knows nobody gives a toss about him or The Circle or Chickenpoop unless he mentions VH. So here were are 20 years later - Belcher's been out of the band for 2 DECADES! - and he's still blabbing in the press that he "feels like he owns the (VH) music." You know what else I find lame is the military personnel he has on stage with him, or his post about St.Jude where he supports people with life-threatening cancer whilst advertising his cancer-giving alcohol in the background.

[@brendonelton]

Mitch Malloy, was that the 3rd singer?

[@almosthuman56]

Who?

[@robl4837]

When David Lee Roth left Van Halen in 1985, Eddie Van Halen approached three singers to consider as his replacement. Besides Sammy Hagar, Eddie also considered Glenn Hughes from Deep Purple and Gary Cherone from Extreme. Ultimately, Eddie picked Sammy Hagar, but after a successful run together, tensions within the band led to Hagar's departure in 1996. Eddie then hired Gary Cherone, who recorded one album with Van Halen before leaving the band in 1999. Glenn Hughes didn't join Van Halen because, at the time, he was struggling with drug addiction and wasn't sober. Eddie Van Halen mentioned that if Hughes had been clean and sober, there was a possibility he could have joined the band. Cheers,

[@richevans609]

Merry Christmas Almost Humanites!!!!!

[@almosthuman56]

Merry Christmas

[@dimebagdave77]

Many thanks and Merry Christmas Doc, we love ya man..🤘✌️🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@MotoXplor]

Awesome! More Halen please!

[@roymartin500]

Schamackamgob of a Christmas Eve to ya! AVH made it official! Van Gina was another thing. Nothing more to say.

[@ministerofdarkness]

My only criticism of Alex’s book was how little he talks about Michael Anthony.

[@GaelDT]

I love the 6-pack AND 5150. Also A Different Kind of Truth. That live album with the big boat SUCKED, was it live in Japan? Horrible last album.

[@Chicken_Little_Syndrome]

Hagar is a talented guy but it does seem like he is prone to exaggerate his accomplishments. I believe in one interview from a few years back he claimed to be more successful as a solo artist than he actually was. There's no logical reason for this guy to pad his resume. He has nothing to be ashamed of.

[@goodquestion1105]

He told Dan Rather he sold 72 million records in Van Halen 😂

[@OneandOthermusic]

No one seems to want to say that Dave was the first and last singer of Van Halen... He was the singer when Van Halen ended... Mike and Sam made a bed... the sad part is that I think if Sam made one more album with them it might have been their best (with Sam) if they kept on the darker tone from Balance and Humans Being...but..

[@kevinschoenfeld6294]

The memes crack me up every time! Hahaha!!

[@nickfuller20]

He should write a book about his mom beating their ass for not practicing the piano. My mom did the same thing to me in the 80s. Problem is, she would not allow me play Van Halen tunes!

[@Scottocaster6668]

I saw that this guy named Mitch Malloy auditioned for VH after Roth. He was prob. the 3rd .

[@robl4837]

Yes, Mitch Malloy did indeed audition for Van Halen after Sammy Hagar's departure. He was one of the three singers Eddie Van Halen considered to replace Hagar. Mitch recorded a few tracks with the band at 5150 studios, including a version of "Panama," which has since leaked online. Despite a positive experience and the band's interest, their manager at the time, Ray Danniels, pushed for Gary Cherone, leading to Mitch not getting the role.

[@arthurrimbaud7287]

How tf was Dave an “outsider”??

[@michaelwilson2340]

You have to take what Gene Simmons says these days with several buckets of bullshit.

[@JohnJohn-vh9wo]

Sammy and Vinnie

[@joeromeiro3858]

Vanhagar isn't the same thing

[@robl4837]

dont believe they were trying to be the same thing if they wanted the same thing they should have kept david.

[@deathmetalrob5563]

Merry Christmas and I'm glad you made it through the hospital for a second time. Christmas did come early. I bought the book and I'm only partially through it and I've heard interviews on KZbin with Alex and he's killing Sammy like you said with silence. I wasn't there but I think the Van Halen brothers were harsh on David Lee Roth for being The Shining front man which is his job then they ended up dissing Michael Anthony by putting Wolfgang in. But anyway the only Van Halen is with David Lee Roth and then after that it's just a bunch of crappy love songs. Sammy bites the big one and I think he stole his own vodka to make money. That would have been crazy if Daryl Hall was the singer I had never heard that one.

[@robl4837]

If you're going to give your opinion, you should do some research so you know what you're talking about. Sammy Hagar is known for his involvement with tequila and rum, not vodka. Besides his Santo Tequila, he also launched Sammy's Beach Bar Rum. Cheers,

[@Kinger1625]

Lmfao! 😂😂😂 Alex is awesome!

[@pituophisart6916]

Samuel's Vagar isn't worth writing about, period

[@CoreyLeland]

I think plenty of blame is on Eddie doing the Michael Jackson record. That's what pushed Dave over the edge.

[@acorn-yy1gi]

If that's true, I'll take Dave's side.

[@CoreyLeland]

@@acorn-yy1gi It is absolutely true. Eddie played on the monster hit "Beat it" but took no credit or money. Money that should have come to the band. Dave then went and made his EP....and the rest, is Hagarstory.

[@acorn-yy1gi]

@@CoreyLeland Edward obviously took credit for his performance. It was very well-publicized that EVH played on that Michael Jackson track. As far as him taking no payment for playing on the track, that is unlikely because California is a unionized state. He would have made at least session musicians' minimum scale. My point was that if DLR disapproved of EVH playing on a Michael Jackson record, I'll agree with DLR. F**k Michael Jackson and his shitty music.

[@CoreyLeland]

@@acorn-yy1gi I've never owned nor held a copy of the MJ album was eddie credited? I heard he wasn't, and that he didn't take a penny for the performance. Of course everyone knows it was him.

[@CoreyLeland]

@@acorn-yy1gi copied this from Wikipedia for whatever that's worth...."amp section of an Echoplex, then recorded the solo free of charge.[24] "I did it as a favor", the musician later said. "I was a complete fool, according to the rest of the band, our manager and everyone else. I was not used. I knew what I was doing-I don't do something unless I want to do it."[

[@myguitar5724]

Hagar era: love songs, tequila, and Pepsi. Yaght rock crap. The two bands, Roth and Hagar, were completely different.

[@blakejohnson7148]

Daryl Hall? Really?

[@TimCarter-j1i]

David Lee Roth what's the greatest Sammy Hagar sucks big time no doubt about it David Lee Roth rules end of story

[@robl4837]

Sammy Hagar was wrapping up a tour with Montrose when Eddie Van Halen approached him to join Van Halen. Sammy had been on the road with Montrose, performing around 130 shows before Eddie reached out to him at the mechanic's garage. Sammy didn't go looking to join Van Halen; he was approached by Eddie while he was already in a band. So instead of basing everything off one book do some research. David lee Roth Quit van halen cause he didn't like that eddie wanted to change the style of the music and wanted to add keyboards and mellower tunes. David is the one that left van halen and Sammy was asked by Eddie to join Sammy was already in a band Montrose. Van Halen is the one that needed a singer.

[@BOTCHMAKEMYFUNKYPFUN]

Happy Christmas Ralph ! In the end there can be only one... Diamond Dave! 💎

[@Markis5150]

Wasnt Christy Hynde the other musician that was asked to join Van Halen before they handed it to Hagar? She's spoken about it in interviews. Hagar wasnt first choice by any means. It sorta makes you wonder how that would have gone. Cristy Hyndes was another Pat Benatar type she rocked with great vocals and allot of attitude in her style. But no mstter what no one could ever replace Dave, he one of a kind. I do think Al will release another book just to clear up some of the shit Hagar spoke about in his book,to clear the bullshit and give his spin on what really went down in 1996. On the Hagar firing or quitting or whatever hapoened. Al always was the mediator in the band. He got the ball rolling both times when Dave and Hagar came back in the fold. He saw it all,he was responsible for making it hapoen, did the groundwork so his point of view on what went down will be in another book I bet. I hope he doesnt hold back either,expose that red fraud,Mike too. Since he knew the language Ed always spoke about...being a team plsyer. But insyead Mike runs off touring with Hagar while being employed in Van Halen,the guys that made his name mean something, and made him millions doing nothing but having a good time while never writing a damn thing in this band😄

[@robl4837]

Actually, Chrissie Hynde has indeed mentioned in interviews that she was approached to join Van Halen, but it's not as widely known or documented as the other candidates. Sammy Hagar certainly wasn't the first choice, but he ended up being a significant part of Van Halen's history. all i know is they needed a singer and sammy was with montrose so even though he wasent first choice . He respected Ed asking him to join and he didn't turn him down. he left montrose and joined Van Halen.

[@bokefpus5150]

Patti smythe and Daryl hall .

[@CHACHIG333]

Hall n' Halen could've been cool

[@andrewhunter5037]

All you need to know about Van Halen is the first three albums.

[@acorn-yy1gi]

First Two: Great (A+ - A) Next Two: Very Good (B+) Next One (Diver Down): C+, a big drop-off from the previous albums Everything after the first five albums, inferior to Diver Down.