Sammy Hagar Has Some Violent Thoughts For David Lee Roth

Back in 2002, Van Halen fans were treated to the “Sam and Dave” tour—featuring two of the band’s iconic frontmen, Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth. Billed as “Song for Song, the Heavyweight Champs of Rock and Roll,” the tour had the rock legends alternating headlining spots. Sounds fair, right? Not according to Hagar.

Hagar told Rolling Stone:

“He tried to pull stuff on the Sam and Dave tour.
“The nights when he was opening, when we flip-flopped… which I would never do again. I would never bother. But look, I’m not an opening act for anybody.”

Roth’s Tour Tactics Spark Fury

According to Hagar, Roth didn’t stick to the schedule. He often claimed his bus broke down—“10 minutes before he was supposed to go on,” Hagar said. That left Sammy scrambling to perform first instead.

“Because I care about my fans, I would go on. And I did that about four times. I wanted to break the guy’s fuckin’ neck.”

Headliner or Headache?

Hagar also said Roth’s demand to headline backfired. Hagar explained:

“The stupidest thing is, he did the worst when he headlined.
“He couldn’t follow me with a band of kids playing Eddie [Van Halen’s] guitar solo note for note and playing ‘Eruption’ and shit.”

He added:

“He did his whole Van Halen show from 1983, and I’m going, ‘What an idiot!’ He should have represented himself a little more like who he was as a solo artist.”

No Hard Feelings…Maybe

Despite all the drama, Hagar isn’t completely ruling out performing with Roth again—though it would take the right situation. He said:

“The circumstances would have to be right.
“Dave always wants too much. He always tries to upstage.”

For now, Hagar’s focused on his Best of All Worlds Las Vegas residency, kicking off April 30, with a setlist packed full of Van Halen hits. As for sharing the stage with Roth again? Don’t hold your breath.