by Sammy Hagar recently discussed his approach to performing Van Halen’s classic material, including songs from David Lee Roth’s era with the band, in an interview shared on Ultimate Classic Rock.
When asked about his appreciation for “Runnin’ With the Devil” and other songs from Roth’s time in Van Halen, Hagar explained his philosophy on performing iconic rock songs.
“Well, it’s like ‘Rock Candy’ to me, it just has it,” Hagar said. “You know, anybody can play it. It’s one of those cover songs. If I’m going to do a cover song, I like to do [things like] a Led Zeppelin song, or a Rolling Stones song that’s iconic, ‘Honky Tonk Women,’ or Led Zeppelin’s ‘Rock and Roll,’ or ‘Whole Lotta Love,’ [for example]. You kick those songs off anywhere, anytime, anyplace, [with] any amount of people, any place in the world, and everybody is happy.”
Hagar also revealed his favorite Van Halen song to perform. He made a pointed comment about other band members’ capabilities.
“‘Panama’ is my favorite. You know, that’s the one I want to sing. I don’t let Mikey sing ‘Panama,’ because I like singing it. It’s a really fun song to play and sing. It’s badass,” he continued. “We add those songs to the set because we’re doing a lot of Van Halen stuff. Unlike the other guys that didn’t want to play my era, or can’t play my era. I like playing those songs, and I can play and sing those songs, and I think everyone appreciates them.”
The singer also praised bassist Michael Anthony’s development as a lead vocalist. He noted Anthony’s evolution from background vocals to more dynamic lead performances. Hagar highlighted Anthony’s rendition of “Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love” as particularly strong in recent years.
Hagar’s comments reflect his ongoing commitment to celebrating Van Halen’s entire musical legacy, spanning both his era and Roth’s time with the band. His willingness to perform material from different periods of the band’s history demonstrates a broader perspective on the group’s contributions to rock music.
Ultimate Classic Rock reported that Hagar has been supportive of both his and David Lee Roth’s eras in Van Halen in recent interviews. He now praises the Roth era, recognizing the band’s diverse contributions to rock history. This marks a shift toward a more collaborative appreciation of Van Halen’s complete catalog.
The relationship between Hagar and Roth has shown signs of warming in recent months. Louder Sound noted that Hagar responded positively to David Lee Roth’s recent comments about him, interpreting them as an “olive branch moment.” Hagar believes Roth’s tongue-in-cheek remarks were not negative. He even suggested that Roth might have had a similar dream experience with Eddie Van Halen’s ghost.
Hagar’s collaboration with Michael Anthony extends beyond Van Halen performances. Eddie Trunk revealed that Hagar’s recent single, “Encore, Thank You, Goodnight,” features Michael Anthony among other musicians like Joe Satriani and Kenny Aronoff. This collaboration highlights their ongoing musical relationship outside of Van Halen.
In his interviews, Hagar has emphasized the importance of legacy and the music both he and Roth created with Eddie Van Halen. He encourages fans to enjoy both their contributions to Van Halen’s catalog. He expressed happiness that both he and David Lee Roth are keeping the music alive for audiences worldwide.
