Sammy Hagar Breaks His Silence on David Lee Roth — “He’s Just Not Built Like Me”

Sammy Hagar, famously known for writing “There’s Only One Way to Rock,” has recently become an enthusiastic advocate for Van Halen’s David Lee Roth years — a shift that may surprise many longtime fans. During his tenure with Van Halen, Hagar was typically reluctant to perform Roth-era songs, usually limiting his setlists to just a few selections. This made the 2002 co-headlining tour with Roth, aptly named Song for Song, the Heavyweight Champs of Rock and Roll, an exciting concept, offering fans a chance to experience the best of both eras. However, behind the scenes, tension and friction dampened the experience, leaving Hagar with regrets about how the tour unfolded.

Mending Bridges: From Tension to Possible Friendship

In recent months, relations between Hagar and Roth have notably improved. When Roth responded—albeit in his unique style—to Hagar’s latest single, “Encore, Thank You Goodnight,” Hagar interpreted this as an olive branch and expressed optimism about the potential for friendship. This newfound cordiality marks a refreshing change after years of strained interactions.

Incorporating Roth-Era Songs into Live Shows

Coinciding with this thaw in their relationship, Hagar has gradually increased the number of Roth-era songs in his own performances. He partly credits this to honoring Michael Anthony’s contributions during that era, as the longtime bassist and vocalist often takes the lead on many of those tracks. During the inaugural Best of All Worlds residency in Las Vegas, Hagar performed “Panama” nightly, while Anthony delivered strong vocals on classics like “Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love,” “Somebody Get Me a Doctor,” and “Runnin’ With the Devil.”

Why Hagar Loves Performing Classic Van Halen Tracks

Discussing what draws him to these songs today, Hagar told Ultimate Classic Rock, “It’s like ‘Rock Candy’ to me — it just has that special something.” He compared the Roth-era songs to iconic covers, explaining, “If I’m going to do a cover, I want it to be legendary — like Led Zeppelin’s ‘Rock and Roll’ or The Rolling Stones’ ‘Honky Tonk Women.’ Those songs get the crowd fired up anywhere in the world.”

“‘Panama’ is my favorite to sing,” he chuckled. “I don’t let Mikey sing it because I love taking that one myself. It’s a fun, badass tune, and we include those songs because we do a lot of Van Halen material. Unlike others who won’t or can’t play my era, I enjoy those songs, and I think the fans do, too.”

Michael Anthony’s Growth as a Lead Vocalist

Hagar also praised Anthony’s development as a lead singer — a role he initially found challenging due to the precision required in backing vocals. “Background singing is very strict — you have to hit every note perfectly with minimal inflection,” Hagar explained. “At first, when Mikey took lead, it was a bit stiff, but now he’s come into his own. He sounds as good as he has in two decades.”

New Live Album Captures the Band’s Journey

Fans can hear this progression on Hagar’s latest live album, Sammy Hagar & The Best of All Worlds Band – The Residency, released on October 10. Recorded during the Las Vegas residency, the 18-track set features Hagar alongside Anthony, guitar legend Joe Satriani, drummer Kenny Aronoff, and keyboardist Rai Thistlethwayte. Hagar jokingly dubbed the group “Chickenfoot 3.0,” but the performance is seriously impressive, delivering a Van Halen-heavy setlist that spans his entire career.

Plans for 2026 Residency and Expanded Setlists

Looking ahead, Hagar is eager to broaden the repertoire when the residency resumes in March 2026, continuing with additional shows in September. “We’re definitely adding more songs,” he confirmed. “With about 500 songs to choose from, we might bring in more Chickenfoot and Montrose material, which we mostly left out last time. Chickenfoot is one of my favorite bands I’ve been a part of.”

A Rock Legend Still Going Strong

With improved relationships, fresh live recordings, and a vast catalog ready to draw from, Sammy Hagar and his band are clearly poised for exciting new chapters, proving that both past hits and new creations fuel his ongoing rock and roll journey.