Sammy Hagar Says David Lee Roth ‘Went AWOL’ After Tour Invite

Red Rocker Sammy Hagar Confirms David Lee Roth’s Silence

In a recent interview with Sirius XM’s Eddie Trunk, Sammy Hagar, the lead singer of Van Halen during the 1980s, confirmed that things have gone silent between him and David Lee Roth, Van Halen’s original lead singer. Roth had previously expressed interest in joining Hagar’s "Best of All Worlds" tour, but his enthusiasm reportedly evaporated once Hagar clarified that he only wanted Roth to guest on one or two songs, rather than the entire tour.

Hagar described Roth’s subsequent silence as "AWOL," stating, "After (clarifying the offer), he just kind of went to sleep on it, which is fine. I don’t need Roth antagonizing me." Despite extending an olive branch to Roth, Hagar made it clear that the ball is now in Roth’s court, and that the invitation for him to join the tour still stands. However, Hagar expressed doubt that Roth would actually follow through on his initial enthusiasm.

Unlikely Collaboration

Hagar’s comments come on the heels of the announcement of his "Best of All Worlds" tour, which celebrates Van Halen’s classic material. When announcing the tour, Hagar extended an invitation to Roth to join him on stage, acknowledging that they had shared a common history with Van Halen. Roth had initially expressed interest in the offer, but his plans were derailed when Hagar made it clear that he only wanted him to make a guest appearance, rather than participating in the entire tour.

Sammy Hagar Invests $1.5 Million in Production

In related news, Hagar revealed in the same interview that he had personally invested $1.5 million in the production costs for the tour, stating, "When you do that, it just brings the level of the whole thing up – the video wall, everything about it, the lights, the sound, I just got the best of the best and I’m feeling good about it."

Hagar’s Comments

In a candid interview, Hagar also opened up about his current relationship with Roth, stating, "He’s an unpredictable guy, and sometimes you get what you get from him." When asked what he would say to Roth if he came on board, Hagar offered a wry suggestion, stating, "Just come out and sing ‘Jump’ at the end of the show, you know, come out and just sing the f–cker instead of me."

Will We Ever See a Roth-Hagar Collaboration?

Despite the unlikely alliance, fans of both rock icons are eagerly awaiting a chance to see these two legendary singers on stage together. While the possibility may seem bleak, Hagar still maintains a door open for a potential collaboration. "I’m always open to whatever happens," he added, "I just think people want me and Dave to be more like adversaries, you know?"

A Look Back

As Van Halen’s lead singers, both Roth and Hagar made significant contributions to the band’s iconic music. While the relationship between the two has always been complex, both have consistently stated their admiration for one another’s work. Would a collaborative effort between the two truly bring about something special, or are the circumstances of this tour too late for such an alliance?

Conclusion

Despite the silence between Roth and Hagar, the "Best of All Worlds" tour is still a triumphant celebration of Van Halen’s enduring music. With Hagar at the helm and the band’s classic catalog playing to rapt audiences across the country, this tour is a true testament to the power of rock and roll.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there still chances for David Lee Roth to join Sammy Hagar’s "Best of All Worlds" tour?

Yes, despite Roth’s silence, Hagar maintained that the door remains open for Roth to join the tour.

What made David Lee Roth go "AWOL"?

According to Sammy Hagar, Roth’s enthusiasm evaporated once Hagar clarified that he only wanted him to guest on a song or two, rather than participate in the entire tour.