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March 2, 2011

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Sammy Hagar's new autobiography Red: My Uncensored Life In Rock (in stores on March 15th) traces the singer's long career from his days in the 1970s hard rock band Montrose to his insane ride in Van Halen through the formation of his supergroup Chickenfoot.

The new issue of Rolling Stone has an exclusive excerpt focusing on Van Halen's disastrous 2004 reunion tour that was nearly derailed due to Eddie Van Halen's alcoholism.

We chatted with Hagar about why he decided to write the book - and whether or not he'd ever return to Van Halen.

What made you want to write a book?

I’ve been maybe one of the most misunderstood rockers of all time because I’ve always been kinda quiet on my personal life. I’ve never really been a press-hound. There’s never been a lot of stuff written about me, quite honestly. Flying under the radar’s always been my philosophy. If you’re never in, you’re never out.

At some stage in your life, though, you go "I want my story to be told," and here it is. I think that’s why people are gonna be surprised when they read. You know we know all about Tommy Lee. We know all about Keith Richards. But, we don’t know that much about Sammy.

Tell me how you worked with your co-author Joel Selvin.

He's a longtime friend, and a critic in the Bay Area where I grew up. He'd come in and go, "Okay, let's talk about Montrose." And we would for three or four hours. He'd transcribe it and go, "I need to know more. Let's talk about what your wife was going through" or "More about your mother now" or "I need to know more about what happened on tour."

You really spill the dirt on Eddie Van Halen. You clearly weren't too concerned with burning bridges there.

I don't consider them burning bridges at all. When I first joined the band, dirt was going back and forth between us and the former lead singer. I didn't burn any bridges. They eventually put the bridge back. Time washes everything clean. To be honest, Valerie [Bertinelli] said almost all the same stuff in her book about Ed.

The only thing I did was talk about my personal relationship with him. I had almost 10 fantastic years in that band. It was a dream come true for any musician on the planet. We had the greatest relationship and the greatest run and wrote some of the greatest music. We had five Number One albums and sold 50, 60 million records together. We practically sold out every venue in the world.

The last two years were really rough. Everyone immediately goes to the dirt, but quite honestly being in Van Halen was one of the greatest experiences in my life. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’ll take the dirt right with it.

Back to burning bridges: If you choose to write an autobiography, which I did, then you only have one shot. If you don't tell it all then you sit there for the rest of your life telling stories and people are like, "Well why wasn’t that in the book?" I don’t wanna have to do that. It’s all right there.

Identity said:

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March 2, 2011

Link

Sammy Hagar's new autobiography Red: My Uncensored Life In Rock (in stores on March 15th) traces the singer's long career from his days in the 1970s hard rock band Montrose to his insane ride in Van Halen through the formation of his supergroup Chickenfoot.

The new issue of Rolling Stone has an exclusive excerpt focusing on Van Halen's disastrous 2004 reunion tour that was nearly derailed due to Eddie Van Halen's alcoholism.

We chatted with Hagar about why he decided to write the book - and whether or not he'd ever return to Van Halen.

What made you want to write a book?

I’ve been maybe one of the most misunderstood rockers of all time because I’ve always been kinda quiet on my personal life. I’ve never really been a press-hound. There’s never been a lot of stuff written about me, quite honestly. Flying under the radar’s always been my philosophy. If you’re never in, you’re never out.

At some stage in your life, though, you go "I want my story to be told," and here it is. I think that’s why people are gonna be surprised when they read. You know we know all about Tommy Lee. We know all about Keith Richards. But, we don’t know that much about Sammy.

Tell me how you worked with your co-author Joel Selvin.

He's a longtime friend, and a critic in the Bay Area where I grew up. He'd come in and go, "Okay, let's talk about Montrose." And we would for three or four hours. He'd transcribe it and go, "I need to know more. Let's talk about what your wife was going through" or "More about your mother now" or "I need to know more about what happened on tour."

You really spill the dirt on Eddie Van Halen. You clearly weren't too concerned with burning bridges there.

I don't consider them burning bridges at all. When I first joined the band, dirt was going back and forth between us and the former lead singer. I didn't burn any bridges. They eventually put the bridge back. Time washes everything clean. To be honest, Valerie [Bertinelli] said almost all the same stuff in her book about Ed.

The only thing I did was talk about my personal relationship with him. I had almost 10 fantastic years in that band. It was a dream come true for any musician on the planet. We had the greatest relationship and the greatest run and wrote some of the greatest music. We had five Number One albums and sold 50, 60 million records together. We practically sold out every venue in the world.

The last two years were really rough. Everyone immediately goes to the dirt, but quite honestly being in Van Halen was one of the greatest experiences in my life. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’ll take the dirt right with it.

Back to burning bridges: If you choose to write an autobiography, which I did, then you only have one shot. If you don't tell it all then you sit there for the rest of your life telling stories and people are like, "Well why wasn’t that in the book?" I don’t wanna have to do that. It’s all right there.

to be honest i would love for him to do that too, "right now" Van Halen is a dead band, livin off the hits, more like a "great adventure" side show at this point, to be honest, they also need Michael Anthony back big fucking time, considering he was and always the rythym in that band and all the high harmonies, nothing against Dave, but its over, the clown act lead singer, is cool when you are 20-25, not pushing 50-60

Bullshit

The band is doing the right thing: the original line-up (without Michael) creating the final album and then the farewell tour.

Van Halen's last good album was 5150 (despite the sellout production), period, they are basically done, so let them tour for a couple of years and then goodbye. The new album with David will probably suck anyway...

this band is sooooo 78-86

Van Halen seems to be doing fine without Sammy Boy since David is a different kind of person from the one who split from the group initially.

Timmy84 said:

Van Halen seems to be doing fine without Sammy Boy since David is a different kind of person from the one who split from the group initially.

I've always thought that David was the nice guy and Eddie the depressed perfectionist with alcohol issues...

JoeTyler said:

Timmy84 said:

Van Halen seems to be doing fine without Sammy Boy since David is a different kind of person from the one who split from the group initially.

I've always thought that David was the nice guy and Eddie the depressed perfectionist with alcohol issues...

You're right. But I always had the assumption (and maybe I'm wrong) that David left because he thought he was "Mr. It". But maybe there's more to the initial split than what was reported.

Timmy84 said:

Van Halen seems to be doing fine without Sammy Boy since David is a different kind of person from the one who split from the group initially.

Considering they havent had an album in what.....13 years with the exception of some tracks with Hagar on the best of. But Eddie killed this band, no matter what anyone thinks, he was the creator and he tanked it with his addictions and power trips. As for Dave, his act, gimmick has worn and doesnt hold up, and when i saw them this last tour, it was liking seeing old films of Babe Ruth the last year of his career when they made him pinch hit only because he was old and fatter.

JoeTyler said:

Bullshit

The band is doing the right thing: the original line-up (without Michael) creating the final album and then the farewell tour.

Van Halen's last good album was 5150 (despite the sellout production), period, they are basically done, so let them tour for a couple of years and then goodbye. The new album with David will probably suck anyway...

this band is sooooo 78-86

For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge is probably my favourite Sammy era album. 5150 is a little too synth heavy/'80s sounding but I haven't listened to it in years, I'll have to give it another spin.

Timmy84 said:

JoeTyler said:

I've always thought that David was the nice guy and Eddie the depressed perfectionist with alcohol issues...

You're right. But I always had the assumption (and maybe I'm wrong) that David left because he thought he was "Mr. It". But maybe there's more to the initial split than what was reported.

Eddie was tired of the "assless" outfit, Dave wanted to keep using it, Eddie "not in this band, not anymore", Dave: "fine, goodbye" and then he released the superb Eat'Em and Smile...

"kiss my ass Eddie" :

JoeTyler said:

Timmy84 said:

You're right. But I always had the assumption (and maybe I'm wrong) that David left because he thought he was "Mr. It". But maybe there's more to the initial split than what was reported.

Eddie was tired of the "assless" outfit, Dave wanted to keep using it, Eddie "not in this band, not anymore", Dave: "fine, goodbye" and then he released the superb Eat'Em and Smile...

"kiss my ass Eddie" :

David had a nice rump on him.

rialb said:

JoeTyler said:

Bullshit

The band is doing the right thing: the original line-up (without Michael) creating the final album and then the farewell tour.

Van Halen's last good album was 5150 (despite the sellout production), period, they are basically done, so let them tour for a couple of years and then goodbye. The new album with David will probably suck anyway...

this band is sooooo 78-86

For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge is probably my favourite Sammy era album. 5150 is a little too synth heavy/'80s sounding but I haven't listened to it in years, I'll have to give it another spin.

man, the solos of "Dreams" still bring tears to my eyes ...

lastdecember said:

Timmy84 said:

Van Halen seems to be doing fine without Sammy Boy since David is a different kind of person from the one who split from the group initially.

Considering they havent had an album in what.....13 years with the exception of some tracks with Hagar on the best of. But Eddie killed this band, no matter what anyone thinks, he was the creator and he tanked it with his addictions and power trips. As for Dave, his act, gimmick has worn and doesnt hold up, and when i saw them this last tour, it was liking seeing old films of Babe Ruth the last year of his career when they made him pinch hit only because he was old and fatter.

Maybe, but the fans want what they want and that's Dave. It's kind of the same with Motley Crue. There may be a lot of hate between Vince and Tommy but they will put up with each other for the paycheck. Nobody cares about Michael Anthony but if you have Dave and Eddie in the band fans will be happy.

Timmy84 said:

JoeTyler said:

Eddie was tired of the "assless" outfit, Dave wanted to keep using it, Eddie "not in this band, not anymore", Dave: "fine, goodbye" and then he released the superb Eat'Em and Smile...

"kiss my ass Eddie" :

David had a nice rump on him.

it looks like the ass of a female pornstar...

[Edited 3/2/11 17:30pm]

rialb said:

lastdecember said:

Considering they havent had an album in what.....13 years with the exception of some tracks with Hagar on the best of. But Eddie killed this band, no matter what anyone thinks, he was the creator and he tanked it with his addictions and power trips. As for Dave, his act, gimmick has worn and doesnt hold up, and when i saw them this last tour, it was liking seeing old films of Babe Ruth the last year of his career when they made him pinch hit only because he was old and fatter.

Maybe, but the fans want what they want and that's Dave. It's kind of the same with Motley Crue. There may be a lot of hate between Vince and Tommy but they will put up with each other for the paycheck. Nobody cares about Michael Anthony but if you have Dave and Eddie in the band fans will be happy.

I haven't seen many videos of the current reunion, but...who does the backup vocals? Eddie? or the fat kid?

Heres the deal, Eddie is the moron of the band, genius on his instrument, worst guy to run a band. ITS CLEAR what an ass he is that he didnt even show to the RnR ceremony, now the BS was that he was suffering from surgery and addictions etc...BULLSHIT, if thats the case, where was his brother to make that statement, another Ass. Eddie refused to go because the show said that SAMMY and MICHAEL had to be included an so did Dave though he declined, because sammy was going, Eddie really looked like a jerkoff on this night. And Sammy showed class in thanking him and the ceremony for including him in it (i mean he only carried the band for a decade where it sold lights years more) but also Sammy showed even more class by thanking Gary Cherone too, another victim of Eddie's BS.

JoeTyler said:

rialb said:

For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge is probably my favourite Sammy era album. 5150 is a little too synth heavy/'80s sounding but I haven't listened to it in years, I'll have to give it another spin.

man, the solos of "Dreams" still bring tears to my eyes ...

It probably didn't have anything to do with switching lead singers but the band got so poppy after Sammy joined. It would have been much easier to take if they kept a little of the heaviness they used to have.

lastdecember said:

Heres the deal, Eddie is the moron of the band,

yep, at lest since 1981...

rialb said:

JoeTyler said:

man, the solos of "Dreams" still bring tears to my eyes ...

It probably didn't have anything to do with switching lead singers but the band got so poppy after Sammy joined. It would have been much easier to take if they kept a little of the heaviness they used to have.

yeah, I think that the band's sound went downhill when Alex embraced electronic drums; the sound was bland.

F.U.C.K. featured better a drum sound but still not on the level of 1978-1981...

lastdecember said:

Heres the deal, Eddie is the moron of the band, genius on his instrument, worst guy to run a band. ITS CLEAR what an ass he is that he didnt even show to the RnR ceremony, now the BS was that he was suffering from surgery and addictions etc...BULLSHIT, if thats the case, where was his brother to make that statement, another Ass. Eddie refused to go because the show said that SAMMY and MICHAEL had to be included an so did Dave though he declined, because sammy was going, Eddie really looked like a jerkoff on this night. And Sammy showed class in thanking him and the ceremony for including him in it (i mean he only carried the band for a decade where it sold lights years more) but also Sammy showed even more class by thanking Gary Cherone too, another victim of Eddie's BS.

Who knows if these numbers are reliable but according to wikipedia Van Halen and 1984 combined outsold 5150, OU812, For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge and Balance combined (20 million to 16 million).

rialb said:

lastdecember said:

Heres the deal, Eddie is the moron of the band, genius on his instrument, worst guy to run a band. ITS CLEAR what an ass he is that he didnt even show to the RnR ceremony, now the BS was that he was suffering from surgery and addictions etc...BULLSHIT, if thats the case, where was his brother to make that statement, another Ass. Eddie refused to go because the show said that SAMMY and MICHAEL had to be included an so did Dave though he declined, because sammy was going, Eddie really looked like a jerkoff on this night. And Sammy showed class in thanking him and the ceremony for including him in it (i mean he only carried the band for a decade where it sold lights years more) but also Sammy showed even more class by thanking Gary Cherone too, another victim of Eddie's BS.

Who knows if these numbers are reliable but according to wikipedia Van Halen and 1984 combined outsold 5150, OU812, For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge and Balance combined (20 million to 16 million).

I don't know if they sold more but Van Halen I and 1984 are the only VH albums with Diamond Certification

in fact, I think that only Def Leppard and Van Halen are the hard-rock bands with two Diamond Certifications...

JoeTyler said:

rialb said:

Who knows if these numbers are reliable but according to wikipedia Van Halen and 1984 combined outsold 5150, OU812, For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge and Balance combined (20 million to 16 million).

I don't know if they sold more but Van Halen I and 1984 are the only VH albums with Diamond Certification

in fact, I think that only Def Leppard and Van Halen are the hard-rock bands with two Diamond Certifications...

Led Zeppelin?

rialb said:

JoeTyler said:

I don't know if they sold more but Van Halen I and 1984 are the only VH albums with Diamond Certification

in fact, I think that only Def Leppard and Van Halen are the hard-rock bands with two Diamond Certifications...

Led Zeppelin?

ouch, that's right, I forgot them...

Are Pink Floyd considered hard rock?

rialb said:

Are Pink Floyd considered hard rock?

prog?

JoeTyler said:

rialb said:

Are Pink Floyd considered hard rock?

prog?

Then that's all I got.

JoeTyler said:

Timmy84 said:

David had a nice rump on him.

it looks like the ass of a female pornstar...

[Edited 3/2/11 17:30pm]

JoeTyler said:

Timmy84 said:

You're right. But I always had the assumption (and maybe I'm wrong) that David left because he thought he was "Mr. It". But maybe there's more to the initial split than what was reported.

Eddie was tired of the "assless" outfit, Dave wanted to keep using it, Eddie "not in this band, not anymore", Dave: "fine, goodbye" and then he released the superb Eat'Em and Smile...

"kiss my ass Eddie" :

Am I the only one who's entertained the thought that Roth might like the peen every once in a while?

SEANMAN said:

JoeTyler said:

Eddie was tired of the "assless" outfit, Dave wanted to keep using it, Eddie "not in this band, not anymore", Dave: "fine, goodbye" and then he released the superb Eat'Em and Smile...

"kiss my ass Eddie" :

Am I the only one who's entertained the thought that Roth might like the peen every once in a while?

I guess that during the 80s his motto was "anything goes" lol

JoeTyler said:

Bullshit

The band is doing the right thing: the original line-up (without Michael) creating the final album and then the farewell tour.

Van Halen's last good album was 5150 (despite the sellout production), period, they are basically done, so let them tour for a couple of years and then goodbye. The new album with David will probably suck anyway...

this band is sooooo 78-86

I've always prefer Van Halen with David Lee Roth on lead vocals. Granted, Sammy Hager was and still is a better musician. But David was and always still THE better entertainer, especially during the 1980's.

But having Wolfgang Van Halen on bass instead of original band member Michael Anthony is some straight up bullshit. Yes, Wolfgang is Eddie's son and he is pretty good. But Wolfgang isn't freaking badass like Michael Anthony.

Please quote me!

lastdecember said:

Timmy84 said:

Van Halen seems to be doing fine without Sammy Boy since David is a different kind of person from the one who split from the group initially.

Considering they havent had an album in what.....13 years with the exception of some tracks with Hagar on the best of. But Eddie killed this band, no matter what anyone thinks, he was the creator and he tanked it with his addictions and power trips. As for Dave, his act, gimmick has worn and doesnt hold up, and when i saw them this last tour, it was liking seeing old films of Babe Ruth the last year of his career when they made him pinch hit only because he was old and fatter.

Granted, David has some flaws with his own ego.

But Eddie Van Halen was/is far worse because most of his business decisions weren't all great. And yes, his drug addictions & ego power trips were ridiculous.