@@surlechapeau On paper, Sammy is the better singer and a great guitarist. I still think Dave was more entertaining. He was raunchy and bigger than life. Still is.
Agree. Both are great in their own way. Sammy is great on his own and with a band. David, not so much. David put on a better performance. Let's give Alex some credit here. The drums are always right on point. ☕️☕️🎶🎵🎶
I was TV station manager on USS Nimitz deployed to Persian Gulf as part of Desert Shield right after Desert Storm. An F-14 RIO shot a ton of F-14 footage that we edited for a music video. We contacted U2 management to see if we could use "Bullet the Blue Sky" but their management said no...we then contacted VH to ask if we could use "Right Now." They said no problem and didn't even charge licensing to use it! What was wild was we had already edited for U2's BTBS...we just did a straight dump using VH's Right Now--and it was perfect--the cuts and fades with Right Now synched up with hardly any changes. If anyone from USS Nimitz or CAG-9 still has copy, I'd love to see it again!
Ask Ward Caroll. Ex F14 RIO with quite a large following on TH-cam. He also plays guitar and is in a band. He's got plenty of former navy guys as followers and maybe at least one guy might have a copy of the video! Good luck.
@@patrickwinter7623 I hope you can find the video you are looking for, I remember seeing the add with VH audio. I do have 1 thing I want to say, the very begining of your msg "may be" inaccurate, but I dont know 4 sure, So I'd like a follow up if possible? I recall Opperation Desert Shield, as this was the operation prior to Desert Storm. Unless of course President George H.W. Bush, the DOD & Military started "Desert Shield," crossed Hussain's line, changed the operation to "Desert Storm" then after getting Baghdad to surrender, reverted the operation back to it's original Desert Shield again? I don't recall the operational name after Desert Storm, (Enduring Freedom??) but I do know with 100% certainty that it was Desert Shield prior to it being Desert Storm. Thank you.
I have enough room in my heart for Dave & Sammy both. I find it hard to comprehend the Sammy haters. I saw the Best of All Worlds Concert in St. Louis and not only was the music great, the tribute to Edward has heartwarming. Adam, you said it well when you said it was all about Edward anyway.
"1984" will always be a special albums for me as the 1984 World Tour was my first rock concert I went to as a teen. Shortly after, was Billy Idol, but Van Halen's 1984 concert was so intense, so much power. It will always bring me back to my life at 15 years of age.
Funny story in high school. Kid brought his portal radio on the bus and started blaring the Hot for Teacher Song. When the beginning started, the bus driver pulled the bus over, got out to check the tires for a flat.
Weird... that drum intro is clearly intended to sound like the sputtering asynchronous rat-at-tat of a high-powered drag racing V8 at idle, if you've ever heard one you'll recognize it immediately. I'm not a mechanic so I can't explain it precisely, but there's something about the firing order of a V8 that causes an asymmetrical idle and normally it's very mild but when set up for very high output the idle becomes very choppy with a distinct sound and rhythm to it. Honestly, it sounds so rough you'd almost think the engine is going to die at any moment --that's because the build and tune are configured to produce extreme power at wide open throttle and that same setup makes the engine virtually starved at idle and only barely able to keep running. Give it the gas though and it will absolutely roar.
@@ThePittsburghToddy the Sammy era was different for sure . For some it’s just not their thing . But some people just are not open minded enough to accept change . The DLR era is classic VH . They were huge.
@ I understand your point. However, aside from “Finish What You Started” I simply don’t like most of the Sammy era Van Halen. Similarly, I love early Chicago but just can’t get into most of their 80s output. On the other hand, I love both eras of the Doobie Brothers and Kool and the Gang. Same goes with Hall and Oates. It’s simply personal preference. Sammy is a better singer than DLR, I just don’t like the songs as much. Anyway, peace. ✌🏻
Van Halen is one of my favorite rock bands in the 70's & 80's i really enjoyed this interview with Sammy have a great weekend thanks Professor.🎶🎶🎶🎶 🎶🎶🎤🎸🎸🎹🥁🎶🎶
Haha, my brother was our foster child, we used to sing, got it made got it made, I’m not your teacher. It made him mad, he learned to see the humor in it, it just fits with the tune. My Beautiful Grandmother liked VH , she was in her 80s when she first heard them.. I sure do miss that old lady. Thanks Adam.
Man, you got me with "the days of the cassette, compact disc player, and the vinyl." Cassette player in the car, CD player at the stores and wanting to buy one, and record player in the house! What to do?!?
The Roth era was great! He left, people seem to forget Roth quit. Sammy joined and the band evolved, they were changing, aging. Hagar was able to fill Eddie’s vision and do things he wanted to do that Dave wouldn’t or couldn’t. I love both versions, I aged along with the band and the changes suited me. As long as Eddie played the sound was VAN HALEN!
Anyone who says either sucks needs to realize they aren't a fan of van halen. They are a fan of the singer. Eddie is why you listen to the band and he was there for it all
This type of fanatic makes it possible for the industry to rape children. Don't throw away honest opinions for status, it's sissy bs. Quit idolizing celebrities. I happen to remember Ed's fans treating him like garbage in the 2000's now they'd drink his bath water again because he's dead and you've all been lockstepping to idolize every dead celeb since MJ.
I don't think either sucks, but I am not a fan of Van Halen. It could just be over-saturation because I grew up in the era when they were ubiquitous, I don't remember actively disliking them back then. But I change the channel whenever they come on now. My son even jokes about it if we are driving in the car and I let more than a couple notes play before changing it.
Montrose was a hugely underrated band. Sammy and Dave were always completely different guys coming from opposite points in the rock spectrum but the results were a long running train of powerful rock music that kept rock alive in an era of disco punk and new wave and gave heavy rock fans something tremendous to hang on to until grunge revived music for one last decade of raw guitar based rock. Good video. Great band from start to finish.
I agrée with other people who say it’s almost like they were two different bands and both bands were great. But because of the time in my life the albums came out, Van Hagar resonates with me a little more. I was just out of high school, didn’t know what to do with my life, my parents were separated, and that’s when Dreams came along for me.
Got photo credentials to take photos when Van Halen was in Reading, Pa in 2012 with Diamond Dave back. He was not at his best,but Eddie,Alex and Wolfgang carried them through.
I do love Dave, he had such good energy on those early tracks....... but Sammy is one hell of a singer and there is no denying the success with him as the front man.
Excellent analysis of my second favorite band ever!! (Rush #1) I do think you glossed over Eddie's various addictions, and how that stressed both "Van Halen & 'Van Hagar" at various points. I only hope your stuff is appreciated for it's historical content!! Keep up the GREAT WORK!! -S-
Agreed. I love both eras, and own all the albums, but prefer the Sammy albums these days. Btw, have you checked out Sammy's new stuff with The Circle? It cooks!
It was not needed. Dave was, and always will be, Van Halen. When the majority of people listen to Van Halen, Dave is singing. But Van Hagar was still a big part of my high school years. 🤘🏻😝🎸🇺🇸
The Eddie interruption anecdote is definitely within the established EVA play book. Eddie would wake up fellow musicians/producers/songwriters with late night phone calls or early morning knocks at their hotel room door to share a new riff or song idea. Dweezil Zappa recently shared an EVA anecdote with Rick Beato in which an 8th grade Dweezil, who worshipped Eddie just like all the other young American axmen, was sitting in his living room practicing away when the phone rings. He hears his mom yell to his dad "Hey, Frank, it's a guy named Eddie Van Halen, he wants to talk to you". Dweezil listens in (for Gen Z, phones not only used to be stationary household items, but if the house shared a phone line then you were able to listen in or participate in conversations from any other phone in the same house) as he hears the voice of Eddie quickly receive permission to drop by. Dweezil said Eddie walked through the door guitar in hand as a stunned Dweezil directed him to the stairs leading to his dad's studio, where of course Dweezil would follow and observe and absorb in awe everything which transpired. That is one of a number of stories so numerous that they will eventually comprise a book I will co author with Proffesor Adam Reader entitled "Hangin' With The Devil: Surprise Encounters With Eddie Van Halen" , comming soon from Professor Publishing.
I remember seeing Dweezil play "Eruption" and telling a story about how Ed "straightened out" Dweezil's version of it. He's no slouch on guitar either. But, also cool that Ed had a relationship with Frank. I don't think anyone thinks of Frank as a "rock influence" but he had some for sure. Cool stuff.
I was a Red Rocker fan when he was solo. Standing Hampton is one of my top 10 albums. Everyone blamed Sammy in the change of music, but it was really Eddie who changed the direction. VH was always Eddie's band. With Sammy, they added another great guitar player - not at Eddie's level but he could hold his own. Someone with more experience writing music for all parts and an actual singer. Let's just agree that we are lucky to be alive when EVH was.
1st time, I got drunk which was out in the hills of Tennessee. I was 16. We got the idea to try to go cow tipping....it did not go according to plan. LOL. Nobody was hurt though, and no cows tipped. So, I guess it worked out for everyone.
Thank you for this, Prof! I’ve nearly finished reading AVH’s book, so to watch your masterful broadcast really stirred some memories for me (some joyous, many bittersweet). Much love from England 🏴 ❤
People waste so much time debating over which Van Halen was better. Roth or Hagar. To me, they were two separate bands altogether only with 3 original members and different singers. Both singers brought something different to the band, in voice and lyrics. Instead of debating it, just enjoy both great versions of Van Halen.
That's by far the best route to take. They really are two different bands. It's not like the Hagar years sucked. Why diminish one for just not being the other.
One of my favorite songs not mentioned was Cabo Wabo. I was fortunate enough to see both versions of Van Halen in concert multiple times and I enjoyed both singers very much.
Loved your picks! I believe Sammy helped Van Halen grow into something it would have never done with David not to Van Halen's songs weren't great with him but the Sammy era gave us a different sound and lyrics. I still have trouble believing Eddie isn't going to give us more fantastic guitar and piano riffs. Great episode professor!
We lost one of the greats of our time. I believe Eddie as will Neil Pert, will be spoken in music academia in the same breath as Mozart, and the other greats
@MyName-pl7zn When my uncle told me that Sammy was going to take leads, I was jazzed. Hagar's always been in my top 3 favorites and he is my favorite male rock singer. To this day I have never heard anything with Gary on leads and I always forget to listen to it. I need to make a note to do so when I get time.
Back in 1984 I was a very lucky eleven year old kid who got to meet Van Halen before a show in Charleston , West Virginia.. It was a brief meeting but one I still think about to this day.. They were all very nice and down to earth. It was the first time I was ever around famous people and it was memorable
When that video first came out on MTV, it was the Blue Angels version before 5150 came out. That version of the video was credited as Song: Dreams by Artist: Dreams off the Album: Dreams (Bad Company anyone?), NOT VH. Nobody knew it was VH. Nobody even knew of whom the singer was to be in VH yet, so nobody expected to be VH. It was only well after the 5150 album came out (it may have even been the second video released as VH for 5150 ), the video was changed to the 'live' VH version for the video that was being shown on MTV.
I'm with you Adam. I love All eras of VH, because Ed was leading the charge with his gifts. The eras were different, each vocalist bringing different strengths & gifts, but it was all great. I was 15 in 78' and Boston, Foreigner & VH & so many other great bands & musicians made me pick up a Guitar. But I don't mourn the passing of anybody else as much as 2 Guitarists. Ronnie Montrose & Eddie Van Halen. RIP to you both 🎸🔥🎹🎶
IMHO I can’t image VH v2 with anyone other than Sammy Hagar at the mic. He was already a proven rocker going back to Montrose and of course his great solo career. Who else could fill those giant shoes after DLR went on his own.
@@ProfessorofRock I think I’m going with Black and blue and poundcake as a close 2nd 🎸🎤. I looked up VH sales and was surprised to see that they sold more albums with DLR. close to 15 mil on 1984 and the first album. I didn’t see any Hagar era LPs break 10 million 🤷♂️
This is my favorite "Evolution" of the series so far! I loved both Dave and Sammy. Eddie is the glue. David and Sammy both contributed uniquely as Van Halen evolved and grew in directions that never compromised, from start to finish! Van Halen was superb. 😢 Dammit, I miss Eddie 😢
I began following Van Halen at house parties in Glendale and Burbank. Was at the Van Nuys Teen Center for their concert there. Then followed them to the Sunset Strip. IMHO, the DLR era WAS Van Halen. The first 6 albums were spectacular, my favorite being Mean Streets. In the Van Hagar era they became more mainstream and had more ballads, I like the harder rock. My favorite songs from the Hagar years are; 5150 …..Good Enough, Summer Nights, Best of both worlds OU812 …..AFU, Finish What You Started, Black and Blue F.U.C.K. …..a great album, love almost every song except…dream is over. Balance …..Baluchitherium, sounds like old VH.
Hey!! The Wiz behind you. So cool! My parents took my family to Broadway when I was a kid to see it. Stephanie Mills was amazing. I still listen to the soundtrack. ❤
I first saw Van Halen on their 'Balance' tour and the show was an amazing mix of Roth and Hagar eras! Years later I was lucky to catch Sammy on his 10/13 tour in a small venue in NH... THAT was the greatest rock show I've ever experienced.
You had great administrators! I graduated high school in 1973. The music we walked to? The boring "Pomp & Circumstance." 😴 Our administrative staff were sticks-in-the-mud. 🙄
@IheartDogs55 they played the pomp and circumstances while we were at our chairs but it was tradition for all our classes to walk out to a song of the class' chosing.
Van Halen with Roth, Anthony, Alex, and Ed is, in my opinion, the greatest American rock band. Van Hagar is an average pop group. Two vastly different bands. I own all the Roth-era albums and all the Van Hagar albums. I rarely ever play Van Hagar. They were heavier with Roth. They had swagger with Roth. Hagar is the better singer. But Roth was the greatest frontman. Good video, Professor!
I was there for both bands. When it’s love for me, would’ve been one of their five defining songs. I think that’s the best tune out of OU 812 personally.
I grew up Jehovah's Witness and somehow VH wasn't a "banned" band to listen to. My friend I played basketball with had a cut off tee shirt with Diver Down on it. When 1984 came out we celebrated it but were sure the world was ending soon. Here we are 40 years later. Weird way to grow up.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 there was a convention talk where they actually mentioned ACDC and KISS but didn't mention VH or Rush, we took it as a sign. Plus as JWs we considered ourselves intellectuals so Rush as a thinking band was cool. Their messages in songs like Circumstances made a lot of sense to us. And 2112 rebelling against the satanic world.
The way I see it is Sammy Hagar was the right fit for Van Halen in the late 80s he brought a nice melodic edge to the classic Van Halen sound like him or don't for my money his time with Van Halen was fantastic but that's just my opinion
The Sammy era is my favorite; his vocals are stellar! Love Walks In is my favorite song. Not Enough is a close second. Both are beautiful ballads. For a catchy fun song, Finish What Ya Started.
I'm so glad you did this episode. Sammy Hagar never seems to get enough credit from VH purists, especially since Dave was so grandiose. That was seemingly what so many people wanted at the time. I personally thought he was bombastic in his attitude. This didn't take anything from his songwriting or performances, although Ed could barely stand him when he was there. When he left, the band needed a fresh start. Sammy already had quite a resume with Montrose and his solo career. When Claudio introduced them, they found out they had a lot in common. The music just seemed to flow. They were in sync with one another from the beginning. I only wish that everyone would have found a way to get along together. Nevertheless, they made such amazing music together. There isn't any Van Halen album I would discard. Not Sammy, not Dave. Not even Gary Cherone. They were consistently great. And I miss them all, especially Eddie.
Great choices, Professor! I have loved VH from the start. Like you, I'm partial to VH no matter who is up front singing. They (Dave & Sammy) were BOTH great in their own ways! I love, and still listen to, their music. And regarding a comment Sammy made about VH's "older" fans not liking the change in front men- I'm 71 & I've been listening to VH from the beginning! I'm still a rocker at heart, and both versions of VH rock!
You're not alone. I love both eras, but these days I'd rather listen to songs about real life over songs about partying. Dave never wanted to grow up, while Sammy was a grown-up. Either way, Eddie was the Master.
I took the opportunity to go to Van Halen's 1984 concert when I was in high school... Sammy Hagar opened for them with his hit, "I Can't Drive Fifty-Five". 👍😎
Sorry for not finishing the video, but I realized I hadn't listened to VH in years and just couldn't take the small snip it's you played! I had to go listen to their whole catalog. I'll finish the video one day, I promise.
yeh i saw about half of the cure show last night guys were pretty vintage cure roberts vocals seem as good as ever dont have the record but two singles are on indie radio by coincidence last week i got show cd listened to in the car current lineup has similar sound to the 93 version store has on backorder i plan to get next few months
it was on youtube i subscribe to bbc music so yesterday the fragile song was on bbc 6 had posted live broadcast tm. popped up like 5om so i watched like an hour a few songs wirh headphones the sound was pretty good also
I stopped liking their music when they became Van Hagar. Give me Diamond Dave any day over Hagar. The music was much more exciting when Roth was their front man.
I loved Van Halen with both singers. But I completely agree with your list. I love the song "Right Now." Probably my favorite VH song. Takes me back to my graduating year. Such a powerful song IMO. Rock on Adam!!
I am at an age were my first VH was Sammy Halen. I was a young teen at an uncles listening to his wives ou812 and 5150 tapes. I discovered Roth Halen later. Both are fantastic you can't pick... its like asking a child of a divorce to choose a home. For me though I admit I would choose the Sammy years if pressed. The song crafting is better, Sammy is a more complete vocalist. Dave brought the fun but I don't think he was capable of actually growing up either. Great breakdown professor. That sit down with Sammy was cool, sitting beside him in a studio chair just shooting the s about his music. Pretty awesome gig you have built yourself. o7
Van Halen was definitely part of the soundtrack of my youth. Toss up between Fair Warning and .38 Special's Wild Eyed Southern Boys for the cassette in the player for that magical first time.
Balance was an awesome swan song album of the Van Hagar era. My buds and I had nicknamed Eddie "Commander Riker" because of his new haircut. I tried to figure out which version of Van Halen was my favorite and I can finally honestly say... both. I like good music and that's precisely what they are. I always cherished when a new VH album came out and miss those days. RIP Eddie
Love seeing the TRIUMPH album on your rack! Would be amazing to see you highlight the "other" power trio from my homeland of Canada!! 😉 By the way... This Van Halen segment is great. One of my favorite bands ever. I was lucky enough to see VH with DLR back in 1980, and with Sammy in 1988. Both great versions of the band.
I like both. David Lee Roth was the original. They took rock by storm and I still haven’t recovered-it just doesn’t get old. But such quality rock that I love to listen to with Sammy Hagar. Alex’s drumming to me is every bit as great to hear and feel as John Bonham. And Michael Anthony’s bass lines and backing vocals…VH simply may be the best rock band of all time!
Nailed it... Love Roth and Sam... But Eddie is the power that came be done without. And truthfully it's not said enough but the most important vocalist in VH played the Jack Daniels bass!!! The bgvs we're as big a part of the sound as anything else. Michael Anthony, puts some respect on it!!! 🎉🎉🎉
Poll: Who is your choice: David Lee Roth or Sammy Hagar and what was their BEST song?
5150 Sam
Sammy Hagar by a slight edge.
David - "Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love"
Sammy 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
Love walks in
Right now
David Lee Roth - "Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love" ! Although "Jump" is so damn catchy.
Roth Van Halen and Hagar Van Halen are almost two different bands. Both great in their own ways. I just enjoy both.
I agree!
I'll take Van Halen over Van Hagar, thank you very much 😄
@@surlechapeauVan Hagar is kind of Montrose 2.0
@@surlechapeau On paper, Sammy is the better singer and a great guitarist. I still think Dave was more entertaining. He was raunchy and bigger than life. Still is.
Agree. Both are great in their own way. Sammy is great on his own and with a band. David, not so much. David put on a better performance. Let's give Alex some credit here. The drums are always right on point.
☕️☕️🎶🎵🎶
I was TV station manager on USS Nimitz deployed to Persian Gulf as part of Desert Shield right after Desert Storm. An F-14 RIO shot a ton of F-14 footage that we edited for a music video. We contacted U2 management to see if we could use "Bullet the Blue Sky" but their management said no...we then contacted VH to ask if we could use "Right Now." They said no problem and didn't even charge licensing to use it! What was wild was we had already edited for U2's BTBS...we just did a straight dump using VH's Right Now--and it was perfect--the cuts and fades with Right Now synched up with hardly any changes. If anyone from USS Nimitz or CAG-9 still has copy, I'd love to see it again!
Good luck!🤞
Ask Ward Caroll. Ex F14 RIO with quite a large following on TH-cam. He also plays guitar and is in a band. He's got plenty of former navy guys as followers and maybe at least one guy might have a copy of the video! Good luck.
U2 isn't an American band.
@@patrickwinter7623 I hope you can find the video you are looking for, I remember seeing the add with VH audio.
I do have 1 thing I want to say, the very begining of your msg "may be" inaccurate, but I dont know 4 sure, So I'd like a follow up if possible?
I recall Opperation Desert Shield, as this was the operation prior to Desert Storm. Unless of course President George H.W. Bush, the DOD & Military started "Desert Shield," crossed Hussain's line, changed the operation to "Desert Storm" then after getting Baghdad to surrender, reverted the operation back to it's original Desert Shield again?
I don't recall the operational name after Desert Storm, (Enduring Freedom??) but I do know with 100% certainty that it was Desert Shield prior to it being Desert Storm.
Thank you.
@@WayneKitching- he is a musician too.
Sammy is a class act. I don’t know why some VH fans just can’t enjoy both eras.
Sammy still sounds good. Saw them back in August. Thanks ,Professor
Agreed. What's your favorite song?
@ Eagles fly & give to live are two of my favorite songs.
I was glad he had Eagles fly in his set list.
@@JimbobZ17 I did too and agree and I too was glad he did Eagles Fly. Wish since he was touring with Loverboy they did Remember The Heroes.
I enjoy both bands, but the second version is Van Hagar, not Van Halen.
Black and blue!
I have enough room in my heart for Dave & Sammy both. I find it hard to comprehend the Sammy haters. I saw the Best of All Worlds Concert in St. Louis and not only was the music great, the tribute to Edward has heartwarming. Adam, you said it well when you said it was all about Edward anyway.
I was at that St. Louis show too. Fantastic show. Too bad Jason Bonham wasn’t there but Kenny Aronoff filled in and was phenomenal
"1984" will always be a special albums for me as the 1984 World Tour was my first rock concert I went to as a teen. Shortly after, was Billy Idol, but Van Halen's 1984 concert was so intense, so much power. It will always bring me back to my life at 15 years of age.
Funny story in high school. Kid brought his portal radio on the bus and started blaring the Hot for Teacher Song. When the beginning started, the bus driver pulled the bus over, got out to check the tires for a flat.
@@knerduno5942 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Haha!
Weird... that drum intro is clearly intended to sound like the sputtering asynchronous rat-at-tat of a high-powered drag racing V8 at idle, if you've ever heard one you'll recognize it immediately. I'm not a mechanic so I can't explain it precisely, but there's something about the firing order of a V8 that causes an asymmetrical idle and normally it's very mild but when set up for very high output the idle becomes very choppy with a distinct sound and rhythm to it. Honestly, it sounds so rough you'd almost think the engine is going to die at any moment --that's because the build and tune are configured to produce extreme power at wide open throttle and that same setup makes the engine virtually starved at idle and only barely able to keep running. Give it the gas though and it will absolutely roar.
@@darthmeow1370 I am sure with the diesel engine running, and kids making a lot of noise, it could sound different
The guitar solo in "Not Enough" is breathtaking. Eddie brings his A-Game!
I don’t hate the Sammy era but the Diamond Dave VH will always be my favorite.
Ok.
Definitely. Van Halen was a hard-rocking group of bad boys w Diamond Dave. Then went popish w Sammy … who was better before he joined VH.
I think you can guess which is my favorite.
@@ThePittsburghToddy the Sammy era was different for sure . For some it’s just not their thing . But some people just are not open minded enough to accept change . The DLR era is classic VH . They were huge.
@ I understand your point. However, aside from “Finish What You Started” I simply don’t like most of the Sammy era Van Halen. Similarly, I love early Chicago but just can’t get into most of their 80s output. On the other hand, I love both eras of the Doobie Brothers and Kool and the Gang. Same goes with Hall and Oates. It’s simply personal preference. Sammy is a better singer than DLR, I just don’t like the songs as much. Anyway, peace. ✌🏻
Van Halen is one of my favorite rock bands in the 70's & 80's i really enjoyed this interview with Sammy have a great weekend thanks Professor.🎶🎶🎶🎶
🎶🎶🎤🎸🎸🎹🥁🎶🎶
Thanks Roger!
You deserve a huge award for how excellent this video is.
Thanks!
🏆
Love you talking about Dreams (and not giving up) with Triumph's Never Surrender in the background. Perfect synchronicity.
Haha, my brother was our foster child, we used to sing, got it made got it made, I’m not your teacher. It made him mad, he learned to see the humor in it, it just fits with the tune. My Beautiful Grandmother liked VH , she was in her 80s when she first heard them.. I sure do miss that old lady. Thanks Adam.
Thanks Carla!
That’s so cute!
I got my 75 year old pop into ac DC . Christ I wish he was here
The day Sammy joined Van Halen was the day I started loving them 😍♥️
Man, you got me with "the days of the cassette, compact disc player, and the vinyl." Cassette player in the car, CD player at the stores and wanting to buy one, and record player in the house! What to do?!?
YES!
Right Now should have been bigger than it was. That video was amazing and engaging. One of the best music videos of all time.
Funny that Eddie's 🎸 helped Thriller to be on top and it kept 1984 from #1 spot 😮
Right?
Yup his riff in Beat It, literally helped 'Beat' his own VH album. 🤷
Or, let’s say it this way. Thriller beat it.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 LOL
The Roth era was great! He left, people seem to forget Roth quit. Sammy joined and the band evolved, they were changing, aging. Hagar was able to fill Eddie’s vision and do things he wanted to do that Dave wouldn’t or couldn’t. I love both versions, I aged along with the band and the changes suited me. As long as Eddie played the sound was VAN HALEN!
Amen, brother!
Yup. I like both versions too. How can you not like both? But it’s not about Sammy or Dave. It’s always been Edward Van Halen
My exact opinion
And it's not as if Sammy Hagar took over the band & started dictating orders to EVH.
@@frustrateduser9933 Exactly!
Loved the crunchy groove of "Finish What Ya Started!" Was like a different, undiscovered side of VH....
Rock on!
@@flavellinator Great song!
Yeah, you don't associate that kind of bluesy rock with Van Roth ;)
It is such an electric song.
I've always enjoyed both eras of Van Halen. They all had a place in my life and what I was going through at the time.
great comment
Anyone who says either sucks needs to realize they aren't a fan of van halen. They are a fan of the singer. Eddie is why you listen to the band and he was there for it all
This type of fanatic makes it possible for the industry to rape children. Don't throw away honest opinions for status, it's sissy bs. Quit idolizing celebrities. I happen to remember Ed's fans treating him like garbage in the 2000's now they'd drink his bath water again because he's dead and you've all been lockstepping to idolize every dead celeb since MJ.
Bingo😊
I always choose Team Eddie.
I don't think either sucks, but I am not a fan of Van Halen. It could just be over-saturation because I grew up in the era when they were ubiquitous, I don't remember actively disliking them back then. But I change the channel whenever they come on now. My son even jokes about it if we are driving in the car and I let more than a couple notes play before changing it.
I so dislike to hear how horrible The brothers were to Micheal Anthony
Montrose was a hugely underrated band. Sammy and Dave were always completely different guys coming from opposite points in the rock spectrum but the results were a long running train of powerful rock music that kept rock alive in an era of disco punk and new wave and gave heavy rock fans something tremendous to hang on to until grunge revived music for one last decade of raw guitar based rock. Good video. Great band from start to finish.
'Right Now' I wish Al, Sammy and Mike would get along putting their differences aside by honoring their fellow brother Edward Van Halen.
Agreed!
I agrée with other people who say it’s almost like they were two different bands and both bands were great. But because of the time in my life the albums came out, Van Hagar resonates with me a little more. I was just out of high school, didn’t know what to do with my life, my parents were separated, and that’s when Dreams came along for me.
I saw the Triumph Never Surrender album in the background! Adam, we need more stories about Canada's "other" power trio!
Triumph was so good live I still think about it. Mountain opened the show 10/10
POR featured Canada's great Triumph once two years ago. POR has yet to feature Canada's great Prism or Canada's great Mahogany Rush or Jane Siberry.
Got photo credentials to take photos when Van Halen was in Reading, Pa in 2012 with Diamond Dave back. He was not at his best,but Eddie,Alex and Wolfgang carried them through.
Very cool!
I do love Dave, he had such good energy on those early tracks....... but Sammy is one hell of a singer and there is no denying the success with him as the front man.
Excellent analysis of my second favorite band ever!! (Rush #1) I do think you glossed over Eddie's various addictions, and how that stressed both "Van Halen & 'Van Hagar" at various points. I only hope your stuff is appreciated for it's historical content!! Keep up the GREAT WORK!! -S-
Sammy brought a maturity to Van Halen that Diamond Dave was incapable of.
Agreed. I love both eras, and own all the albums, but prefer the Sammy albums these days. Btw, have you checked out Sammy's new stuff with The Circle? It cooks!
@@GreybeardT.Pirate I have not but I’m always looking for new music so thank you for the heads up
@@codylamp6814 Indeed!
It was not needed. Dave was, and always will be, Van Halen. When the majority of people listen to Van Halen, Dave is singing.
But Van Hagar was still a big part of my high school years. 🤘🏻😝🎸🇺🇸
And also a Pepsi Commercial level of commerciality. 😁
I like Sammy! Polished musician with great vocals. Amsterdam is my favorite. Light em Up!!!!
Cheesy lyrics..every some title has the word love in it
Right Now is not just one of my favorite Van Halen songs, it’s one of my favorite 90s songs. Same with Dreams from the 80s.
The Eddie interruption anecdote is definitely within the established EVA play book. Eddie would wake up fellow musicians/producers/songwriters with late night phone calls or early morning knocks at their hotel room door to share a new riff or song idea. Dweezil Zappa recently shared an EVA anecdote with Rick Beato in which an 8th grade Dweezil, who worshipped Eddie just like all the other young American axmen, was sitting in his living room practicing away when the phone rings. He hears his mom yell to his dad "Hey, Frank, it's a guy named Eddie Van Halen, he wants to talk to you". Dweezil listens in (for Gen Z, phones not only used to be stationary household items, but if the house shared a phone line then you were able to listen in or participate in conversations from any other phone in the same house) as he hears the voice of Eddie quickly receive permission to drop by. Dweezil said Eddie walked through the door guitar in hand as a stunned Dweezil directed him to the stairs leading to his dad's studio, where of course Dweezil would follow and observe and absorb in awe everything which transpired. That is one of a number of stories so numerous that they will eventually comprise a book I will co author with Proffesor Adam Reader entitled "Hangin' With The Devil: Surprise Encounters With Eddie Van Halen" , comming soon from Professor Publishing.
Ha ha Love it.
I remember seeing Dweezil play "Eruption" and telling a story about how Ed "straightened out" Dweezil's version of it. He's no slouch on guitar either. But, also cool that Ed had a relationship with Frank. I don't think anyone thinks of Frank as a "rock influence" but he had some for sure. Cool stuff.
Saw them on my 21st at the Fabulous Forum 😮 and the 1st date with my wife in '04 reunion tour ❤️
Very cool!
I was a Red Rocker fan when he was solo. Standing Hampton is one of my top 10 albums. Everyone blamed Sammy in the change of music, but it was really Eddie who changed the direction. VH was always Eddie's band.
With Sammy, they added another great guitar player - not at Eddie's level but he could hold his own. Someone with more experience writing music for all parts and an actual singer.
Let's just agree that we are lucky to be alive when EVH was.
I was thinking the same thing. Having another guitar player available live makes a huge difference to the mix.
Standing Hampton is timeless 10/10
1st time, I got drunk which was out in the hills of Tennessee. I was 16. We got the idea to try to go cow tipping....it did not go according to plan. LOL. Nobody was hurt though, and no cows tipped. So, I guess it worked out for everyone.
Thank you for this, Prof! I’ve nearly finished reading AVH’s book, so to watch your masterful broadcast really stirred some memories for me (some joyous, many bittersweet). Much love from England 🏴 ❤
When Sammy joined the band it felt like Van Halen grew up and became a respectful adult.
I didn't see them with Sammy Hagar, but I did see them with David Lee Roth. Awesome Show!!!
People waste so much time debating over which Van Halen was better. Roth or Hagar. To me, they were two separate bands altogether only with 3 original members and different singers. Both singers brought something different to the band, in voice and lyrics. Instead of debating it, just enjoy both great versions of Van Halen.
That's by far the best route to take. They really are two different bands. It's not like the Hagar years sucked. Why diminish one for just not being the other.
None of it matters cause only one member made them what they were. We all know who he is.
One of my favorite songs not mentioned was Cabo Wabo. I was fortunate enough to see both versions of Van Halen in concert multiple times and I enjoyed both singers very much.
Loved your picks! I believe Sammy helped Van Halen grow into something it would have never done with David not to Van Halen's songs weren't great with him but the Sammy era gave us a different sound and lyrics. I still have trouble believing Eddie isn't going to give us more fantastic guitar and piano riffs. Great episode professor!
We lost one of the greats of our time. I believe Eddie as will Neil Pert, will be spoken in music academia in the same breath as Mozart, and the other greats
@@MyName-pl7zn I miss Edward but we always have the music. For awhile Dave just wanted to do covers. Sammy was refreshing.
@@jllucci I hope 100 years from now Eddie's music will still be listened to
@@AnnaTrail-xp8pr I kind of felt van Halen had ran it course with David and it would have been more of the same, Sammy was refreshing
@MyName-pl7zn When my uncle told me that Sammy was going to take leads, I was jazzed. Hagar's always been in my top 3 favorites and he is my favorite male rock singer. To this day I have never heard anything with Gary on leads and I always forget to listen to it. I need to make a note to do so when I get time.
Back in 1984 I was a very lucky eleven year old kid who got to meet Van Halen before a show in Charleston , West Virginia.. It was a brief meeting but one I still think about to this day.. They were all very nice and down to earth. It was the first time I was ever around famous people and it was memorable
The Blue Angels used "Dreams" in one of their videos. It was pretty good.
I remember that!
They would play the song during their air shows in El Toro, CA in the late 80s and early 90s.
US Air Force pilots also used Dreams in their cockpits!
When that video first came out on MTV, it was the Blue Angels version before 5150 came out. That version of the video was credited as Song: Dreams by Artist: Dreams off the Album: Dreams (Bad Company anyone?), NOT VH. Nobody knew it was VH. Nobody even knew of whom the singer was to be in VH yet, so nobody expected to be VH.
It was only well after the 5150 album came out (it may have even been the second video released as VH for 5150 ), the video was changed to the 'live' VH version for the video that was being shown on MTV.
Van Halen and Van Hagar: both great in their own ways!
I just heard your new show on our local radio station here in Atlanta.
Very cool! How'd you like it?
I'm with you Adam. I love All eras of VH, because Ed was leading the charge with his gifts. The eras were different, each vocalist bringing different strengths & gifts, but it was all great. I was 15 in 78' and Boston, Foreigner & VH & so many other great bands & musicians made me pick up a Guitar. But I don't mourn the passing of anybody else as much as 2 Guitarists. Ronnie Montrose & Eddie Van Halen.
RIP to you both
🎸🔥🎹🎶
IMHO I can’t image VH v2 with anyone other than Sammy Hagar at the mic. He was already a proven rocker going back to Montrose and of course his great solo career. Who else could fill those giant shoes after DLR went on his own.
Amen! WHat's your favorite Sammy with VH track?
@@ProfessorofRock I think I’m going with Black and blue and poundcake as a close 2nd 🎸🎤. I looked up VH sales and was surprised to see that they sold more albums with DLR. close to 15 mil on 1984 and the first album. I didn’t see any Hagar era LPs break 10 million 🤷♂️
This is my favorite "Evolution" of the series so far! I loved both Dave and Sammy. Eddie is the glue. David and Sammy both contributed uniquely as Van Halen evolved and grew in directions that never compromised, from start to finish! Van Halen was superb.
😢 Dammit, I miss Eddie 😢
I began following Van Halen at house parties in Glendale and Burbank. Was at the Van Nuys Teen Center for their concert there.
Then followed them to the Sunset Strip.
IMHO, the DLR era WAS Van Halen.
The first 6 albums were spectacular, my favorite being Mean Streets.
In the Van Hagar era they became more mainstream and had more ballads, I like the harder rock.
My favorite songs from the Hagar years are;
5150
…..Good Enough, Summer Nights, Best of both worlds
OU812
…..AFU, Finish What You Started, Black and Blue
F.U.C.K.
…..a great album, love almost every song except…dream is over.
Balance
…..Baluchitherium, sounds like old VH.
Hey!! The Wiz behind you. So cool! My parents took my family to Broadway when I was a kid to see it. Stephanie Mills was amazing. I still listen to the soundtrack. ❤
Finish What You Started is one of my favorite Van Halen songs. Such a fun, diverse song.
Great episode, thanks for covering Van Halen with Sammy. Love this era of Van Halen, but I’m partial to Eddie too. He was truly one of the best.
What? Jimmy Barnes? Now that would've been something. Cold Chisel, one of the best bands ever from Australia :)
You got that right!
I feel that we may have the same Van Halen favs, prof. The Sammy stuff had the heart & soul! 💜
I love your T shirt, Professor, I was actually listening to that song just now. 80's movies have the best soundtracks.
Amen!
@@ProfessorofRockagree!
For sure!
I first saw Van Halen on their 'Balance' tour and the show was an amazing mix of Roth and Hagar eras! Years later I was lucky to catch Sammy on his 10/13 tour in a small venue in NH... THAT was the greatest rock show I've ever experienced.
I remember Pepsi using Right Now for the pre-release drop of clear Pepsi. Anyone else remember this?!!
yes aired during the super bowl, that being said dont believe i ever drank it
Dreams was our walk song from high school graduation in '89.😁
You had great administrators! I graduated high school in 1973. The music we walked to? The boring "Pomp & Circumstance." 😴 Our administrative staff were sticks-in-the-mud. 🙄
@IheartDogs55 they played the pomp and circumstances while we were at our chairs but it was tradition for all our classes to walk out to a song of the class' chosing.
Van Halen with Roth, Anthony, Alex, and Ed is, in my opinion, the greatest American rock band. Van Hagar is an average pop group. Two vastly different bands. I own all the Roth-era albums and all the Van Hagar albums. I rarely ever play Van Hagar. They were heavier with Roth. They had swagger with Roth. Hagar is the better singer. But Roth was the greatest frontman. Good video, Professor!
Thanks!
I was there for both bands. When it’s love for me, would’ve been one of their five defining songs. I think that’s the best tune out of OU 812 personally.
I grew up Jehovah's Witness and somehow VH wasn't a "banned" band to listen to. My friend I played basketball with had a cut off tee shirt with Diver Down on it. When 1984 came out we celebrated it but were sure the world was ending soon. Here we are 40 years later. Weird way to grow up.
Been there too. We had elders editing our set list at most live gigs we had. Strange way to group for sure. Glad I left.
🤦♂️
Never had that issue, always listened to whatever I wanted. Still do. Although there a few things I find offensive...
Interesting. Why’d they let that slide?
@@aarongomez2032 that same friend bought and threw out Black Sabbath records over and over, he was so conflicted.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 there was a convention talk where they actually mentioned ACDC and KISS but didn't mention VH or Rush, we took it as a sign. Plus as JWs we considered ourselves intellectuals so Rush as a thinking band was cool. Their messages in songs like Circumstances made a lot of sense to us. And 2112 rebelling against the satanic world.
I was never a huge Van Hagar fan, but that said, whenever they come on the radio, I LOVE them.
The way I see it is Sammy Hagar was the right fit for Van Halen in the late 80s he brought a nice melodic edge to the classic Van Halen sound like him or don't for my money his time with Van Halen was fantastic but that's just my opinion
Good call George!
@ProfessorofRock you're definitely welcome
Runaround and Poundcake are freaking amazing. The live performance they did at the awards of Poundcake will always live rent free in my head.
I was 4 when I heard ice cream man, 1980, yet I still knew what this song was about... never trusted the ice cream man again.
Ha ha!
Haha!
The Sammy era is my favorite; his vocals are stellar! Love Walks In is my favorite song. Not Enough is a close second. Both are beautiful ballads. For a catchy fun song, Finish What Ya Started.
I'm so glad you did this episode. Sammy Hagar never seems to get enough credit from VH purists, especially since Dave was so grandiose. That was seemingly what so many people wanted at the time. I personally thought he was bombastic in his attitude. This didn't take anything from his songwriting or performances, although Ed could barely stand him when he was there. When he left, the band needed a fresh start. Sammy already had quite a resume with Montrose and his solo career. When Claudio introduced them, they found out they had a lot in common. The music just seemed to flow. They were in sync with one another from the beginning. I only wish that everyone would have found a way to get along together. Nevertheless, they made such amazing music together. There isn't any Van Halen album I would discard. Not Sammy, not Dave. Not even Gary Cherone. They were consistently great. And I miss them all, especially Eddie.
THanks!
I haven’t even heard songs by Cherone in a long time.
Preach, Brother Jerry! 👍
Great choices, Professor! I have loved VH from the start. Like you, I'm partial to VH no matter who is up front singing. They (Dave & Sammy) were BOTH great in their own ways! I love, and still listen to, their music. And regarding a comment Sammy made about VH's "older" fans not liking the change in front men- I'm 71 & I've been listening to VH from the beginning! I'm still a rocker at heart, and both versions of VH rock!
I’m one of the exceptions I guess who prefers Hagar to Roth. In short, Hagar was an adult. Roth was immature in lyrics and antics.
You're not alone. I love both eras, but these days I'd rather listen to songs about real life over songs about partying. Dave never wanted to grow up, while Sammy was a grown-up. Either way, Eddie was the Master.
I took the opportunity to go to Van Halen's 1984 concert when I was in high school... Sammy Hagar opened for them with his hit, "I Can't Drive Fifty-Five". 👍😎
Back in the Saddle Again Naturally
🐴
A horse is a horse of course of course except if she or he is a unicorn, man-horsie or Constipated's.
@@shiroibasketshoes Is your name Wilbur?
@shiroibasketshoes Wild horses 🐎 in the Wild Wild Rest!
@@Sweet--Richard.4981 No it's not; why?
My favorite from 5150 is "Summer Nights". Eddie's riff is spot on.
Hey, y'all.
Hey Whisper!
hey Whisper.
Hey good morning, Whisper!
Hello Whisper!
@@Whisper_292 have a great weekend Windy Wendy Whisper
Great to see Triumph's "Never Surrender" in the rack behind you there!
I'm definitely more of a DLR guy, but Van Hagar is vastly superior to Go West, Information Society, novelty hits or Cinderella 👍
Fair enough!
You don’t like Information Society? 😳
Sorry for not finishing the video, but I realized I hadn't listened to VH in years and just couldn't take the small snip it's you played! I had to go listen to their whole catalog. I'll finish the video one day, I promise.
off topic, but: PROF, THE NEW CURE ALBUM ABSOLUTELY RULES!!!! it’s damn near Disintegration 2.0, it’s THAT good!
I love it too! Did you watch last night?
@@ProfessorofRock😳😳😳nooo I was listening to the Cure album & drinkin Iwai Mars Whiskey, what did I miss??
yeh i saw about half of the cure show last night guys were pretty vintage cure roberts vocals seem as good as ever dont have the record but two singles are on indie radio by coincidence last week i got show cd listened to in the car current lineup has similar sound to the 93 version store has on backorder i plan to get next few months
@ damn i missed it! what network/streamer was it on?
it was on youtube i subscribe to bbc music so yesterday the fragile song was on bbc 6 had posted live broadcast tm. popped up like 5om so i watched like an hour a few songs wirh headphones the sound was pretty good also
Started listening in the late 70's when my brother played Fair Warning, was hooked since. Had VH2 their logo drawn on all of my paperback book covers.
I stopped liking their music when they became Van Hagar. Give me Diamond Dave any day over Hagar. The music was much more exciting when Roth was their front man.
Both were great, but I prefer Van Hagar. He had some great ballady rock songs, like "Love Walks In" and "When It's Love." That's more my style.
Blah blah blah.....yawn.
Roth is a frontman, Hagar is a lead singer. Huge difference.
💯💯💯👍
Ok.
"Mammoth-sized band" LOL... Clever choice of words. 😉
I can't believe I had to scroll this far down to find this comment. Brilliant!
Saw VH with Sammy in 1993 AT Molson park in Barrie ,Ontario Canada. what A SHOW!
So cool!! Saw them with Sammy in ‘86!!🤘🔥
Where at?
@ The Myriad, in OKC
@@BrentCox-m3r Very cool!
How many concerts do you think you've seen?
thats great a friend got me tickets to 86 van hagar but couldnt go was like 5 hours away but at least attended vh diver down show
I was at the 5150 concert in St. Louis. On the floor. Checkerdome. Good memories! Thank you!
Cruise on route 66 in Texas just jamming. Yes!! The memories!
I loved Van Halen with both singers. But I completely agree with your list. I love the song "Right Now." Probably my favorite VH song. Takes me back to my graduating year. Such a powerful song IMO. Rock on Adam!!
I really really liked Com’mon Baby Finish What You Started”. Just perfect timing for my life.
Great picks. Not Enough and a few other songs from Balance still get me emotional.
I am at an age were my first VH was Sammy Halen. I was a young teen at an uncles listening to his wives ou812 and 5150 tapes. I discovered Roth Halen later. Both are fantastic you can't pick... its like asking a child of a divorce to choose a home. For me though I admit I would choose the Sammy years if pressed. The song crafting is better, Sammy is a more complete vocalist. Dave brought the fun but I don't think he was capable of actually growing up either.
Great breakdown professor. That sit down with Sammy was cool, sitting beside him in a studio chair just shooting the s about his music. Pretty awesome gig you have built yourself. o7
Always loved Not Enough. Great track.
Just saw Sammy's concert a couple weeks ago in Osaka. Freakin awesome.
Two solid hours of some of the best songs/music ever made.
I followed Van Halen from Vanhalen 1 up to Balance,every album coming out is like a big holiday event for me…thank you Eddie for becoming my no.idol..
Van Halen was definitely part of the soundtrack of my youth. Toss up between Fair Warning and .38 Special's Wild Eyed Southern Boys for the cassette in the player for that magical first time.
Very cool!
You mean "Wild-Eyed Southern Boys."
@@shiroibasketshoes Oh shoot. I am old Sorry. Though I think I make that mistake a lot.
@@karmab4391 When I correct someone, it is just for the public record, not to embarrass anyone. You owe me no explanation. Have a nice day. :-)
Love your videos, you make retrovoyerism enthralling and relaxing.Carry on😮😢😂
Had to click the like button as soon as I saw it was Van Halen!
Balance was an awesome swan song album of the Van Hagar era. My buds and I had nicknamed Eddie "Commander Riker" because of his new haircut. I tried to figure out which version of Van Halen was my favorite and I can finally honestly say... both. I like good music and that's precisely what they are. I always cherished when a new VH album came out and miss those days. RIP Eddie
Thank you for this excellent coverage of the Sammy era of VH!.
Love seeing the TRIUMPH album on your rack! Would be amazing to see you highlight the "other" power trio from my homeland of Canada!! 😉
By the way... This Van Halen segment is great. One of my favorite bands ever. I was lucky enough to see VH with DLR back in 1980, and with Sammy in 1988. Both great versions of the band.
Many thanks Professor ✌️🤘
I like both. David Lee Roth was the original. They took rock by storm and I still haven’t recovered-it just doesn’t get old. But such quality rock that I love to listen to with Sammy Hagar. Alex’s drumming to me is every bit as great to hear and feel as John Bonham. And Michael Anthony’s bass lines and backing vocals…VH simply may be the best rock band of all time!
Thanks.
Mike’s the bomb on bass!
Nailed it... Love Roth and Sam... But Eddie is the power that came be done without. And truthfully it's not said enough but the most important vocalist in VH played the Jack Daniels bass!!! The bgvs we're as big a part of the sound as anything else. Michael Anthony, puts some respect on it!!! 🎉🎉🎉