Talk You Into It - Episode 22 - Van Hagar - a podcast by Josh Sherman

When David Lee Roth left (or was fired from?) Van Halen following their massive album “1984” the Van Halen brothers considered several possible replacements, from Patty Smythe from Scandal (“I am the WARRIOR!!) to, yes, Phil Collins and, are you sitting down, Daryl Hall from Hall and Oates. Ultimately, they wanted to stay true to the concept of a four-piece band and followed the lead of AC/DC who went from Bon Scott to Brian Johnson. They landed on Sammy Hagar, who first gained notoriety as lead singer of the criminally underrated and overlooked Montrose and then as a solo artist (“I can’t drive……55!!”). Unburdened by trying to land a record deal or establish a name for themselves, Van Hagar could simply focus on being arena rock heroes.

And who can argue with the results? Four US Number 1 multi-platinum albums, MTV video staples (“Right Now” and “Top of the World”), and sold-out tours. So confident that their fans would come along for the ride, Van Halen barely touched on those Roth-era albums during their tours, incorporating a bit of Sammy solo but nothing besides “Jump” from their formative years. The turn to synths and pop on “1984” paved the way for Van Hagar power-pop gems like “Why Can’t This Be Love” “When It’s Love” “Dreams” and “Love Walks In.” But fear not fans of rock and roll, they could still knock you over the head with the first power-drill hit (“Poundcake”) and “Best of Both Worlds” and tap into the blues with “Finish What Ya Started.” Sammy was a more traditional hard rock lead singer with a top-heavy range only surpassed by Anthony’s background vocals that seamlessly transitioned from Roth to Hagar.  Despite Van Hagar’s success, the Van Halen brothers had yet another falling out with a lead singer and Sammy was out by 1996. After trying to catch lightning in a bottle a third time with Gary Cherone from Extreme on “Van Halen III” (note to listeners: there will NOT be a podcast on Van Cherone), and a brief reunion with Sammy for a tour in the mid-2000s, Van Halen went back to Roth in 2007 as you always kind of knew they would. When Eddie died, we lost a chance to hear those Van Hagar songs just one more time. But the music lives on. Just get your best pair of board shorts and Hawaiian shirt, head down to the beach on a sunny summer day, pour yourself a margarita and crank up “5150.” Long live Van Hagar.

Further episodes of Sherman & Ski - Talk You Into It

Further podcasts by Josh Sherman

Website of Josh Sherman