Roth to tour with rival Hagar — or will he?
David Lee Roth has taken up Sammy Hagar’s offer to join him on a tour celebrating the music of Van Halen next year.
Last week, Hagar announced the dates for the “Best of All Worlds Summer 2024” tour, featuring former Chickenfoot bandmates Michael Anthony and Joe Satriani, along with drummer Jason Bonham. The self-styled Red Rocker also extended an invitation to former Van Halen singer and longtime rival Roth to join the festivities during an appearance on “The Howard Stern Show.”
“It’s time — nobody else is gonna do it,” Hagar said. “If David Lee Roth wants to come out and join us, come on, motherf—er, you are welcome. This is about Van Halen.”
In a brief statement issued to the Van Halen News Desk on Tuesday, Nov. 21, Roth appeared to accept the challenge, saying: “I’m ready to go. Let’s do this.”
However, the site noted on “very good authority” that Hagar’s camp has yet to reach out to Roth with a formal invitation. Working out the logistics of the collaboration could be another matter.
In fact, Hagar appeared to walk back the invite by Wednesday, Nov. 22. When asked about Roth’s statement on social media, Hagar clarified that he did not want him on the tour.
“No f—ing way,” he wrote in the comments of an Instagram post. “I know better than to have him on tour again. Been there, done that.”
Hagar added in another comment, “He can come out and sing a song on a show or two, if he can remember the words.”
The dueling frontmen previously toured together in 2002 while on the outs with Van Halen.
Hagar, inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2007 as a vocalist for Van Halen, replaced Roth in 1985. During Hagar’s 11-year tenure with the band, it released four multiplatinum albums. Despite the success, the 76-year-old Marin musician has had a tumultuous relationship with Roth and his former bandmates, including founding member Eddie Van Halen, who died in 2020.
On the upcoming tour with Anthony, Bonham and Satriani, Hagar promises updated versions of Van Halen classics such as “5150,” “Poundcake,” “Sexy Little Thing,” “There’s Only One Way To Rock” and “Right Now,” with Canadian rock band Loverboy as the opening act.
The 28-city tour is slated to kick off July 13 in West Palm Beach, Fla., with a Bay Area date set for Aug. 17 at the Concord Pavilion.