Wolfgang Van Halen claims Sammy Hagar era of Van Halen “doesn’t get any respect”
“I think people don’t give it a chance ’cause they fall into that just exhausting ‘this singer is better, this singer is better’ crap.”
Image: Tim Mosenfelder / Getty Images
Wolfgang Van Halen has criticised the supposed lack of respect for the Sammy Hagar era of Van Halen.
The musician made the claim during a recent appearance on Oklahoma City radio station KATT, where he discussed his involvement with Van Halen band reissues, specifically the upcoming limited vinyl release of the Live: Right Here, Right Now album.
“[Alex Van Halen] is, obviously, he’s the head honcho when it comes to making the decisions,” Wolfgang explained. “Obviously, I default to him on anything that he thinks is the right thing to do.”
“But when it comes to decision-making or at least just kind of helping out, yeah, I am that sort of what would have been my dad’s vote for stuff there with Al. So Al and I are kind of that team. But, all in all, he’s the guy.”
The upcoming release also marks the first time a Van Halen reissue is shining the spotlight on the band’s ‘Sammy Hagar era’.
“That era [of Van Halen] doesn’t get any respect, I don’t think,” Wolfgang said.
“And there’s a lot of amazing songs and just obviously brilliant guitar playing on a lot of that — on all of that stuff — and I think people don’t give it a chance ’cause they fall into that just exhausting ‘this singer is better, this singer is better’ crap, when it’s, like, just give it a chance. There’s some really good stuff in there.”
Live: Right Here, Right Now is due out 22 April at select independent music retailers; the record will be limited to 7,500 copies on 180-gram translucent red vinyl.
