Sammy Hagar Had Chance to Join Motley Crue, Aerosmith and Velvet Revolver
May 2, 2011 – Sammy Hager is either one of the best Rock singers of all time or is generic enough to fill in anywhere. While promoting his new autobiography, “Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock,” he claimed this to be asked to join Motley Crue, Aerosmith and Velvet Revolver.

He Told Gibson.com: "I was asked at one time to be in Motley Crue," Hagar said. "I was asked at one time to be in Pantera by their mangers. I was asked to be in Velvet Revolver when Scott Weiland quit and went back to the Stone Temple Pilots. I was waiting to be asked to be in Led Zeppelin to say 'no,' since they were the greatest band on earth and no could replace Robert Plant. I was asked to be in Aerosmith and I said 'no.' certain bands and certain front man singers are more difficult to replace than others. Steven Tyler and that band have stayed together for forty years and you don't to walk into something like that. They had one moment years ago, when they replaced Joe Perry, but it's still always been Steven at the front of Aerosmith. You don't replace that."

So why did Hagar replace David Lee Roth in Van Halen but refused to do the same with Steven Tyler in Aerosmith?  "When I came into Van Halen, it was easy because Dave wasn't a great singer, but he was a good front man,” says Hagar. “In those times, I was selling out the same arenas they were, so it was like the combination of two forces and it worked—but it's a rare thing. We were all lucky that the fans accepted it and it got bigger. I would avoid bands that are going to break up pretty soon."

Chickenfoot Gets Shutdown by Seattle Fire Department
May 15, 2009 – A little fire or overcrowding scare can’t keep new super-group Chickenfoot down. Last night (May 14) nine songs and 40 minutes into their set at Seattle’s El Corazon, Sammy Hagar announced, “The fire department’s going to shut us down in 10 minutes … This is the end of the regular set.” He did promise to make up for the unexpected halt by doing a 45-minute encore which the band made good on.

After a 20 minute halt the boys continued ploughing through songs from their upcoming debut album (it’ll be out in June) and various tributes to the member previous works.

Chickenfoot is made up of Hagar and former Van Halen band-mate Michael Anthony, Chad Smith from the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Joe Satriani. – by John Beaudin

Sammy Hagar Gives Props to Joe Satriani as “The Best Guitarist I've Ever Played With"
May 5, 2009 – An ex-guitarist is like an inflamed appendix, they cause a lot of pain and suffering, but after it's removed you find you didn't need it in the first place! That seems to be the case for Sammy Hagar and his thoughts of ex-Van Halen partner, Eddie Van Halen.

Hagar just started the super-group Chickenfoot with another ex-Van Halen member, bassist Michael Anthony, Red Hot Chili Peppers Chad Smith on drums and Joe Satriani on lead guitar.

Last week Hagar said, "I've made this statement a million times - some people don't like it, some people do - but Joe is the best guitarist I have ever played with,"

"That's a strong statement. I realize that," Hagar added. "You've got to give Eddie [Van Halen] a lot of love for his innovation of what he did as a stylist with the guitar. He broke a lot of ground. But Joe is a master. He can play anything and everything - folk, blues, jazz, hard rock, soft rock, fusion, you name it."

Sammy, who has also worked with Ronnie Montrose and Neal Schon of Journey said, "As a guitar technician, Joe is the best guy I've ever stood in the same room with on any instrument. And he's so soulful when he solos. He puts more feeling into a solo than any other player I've been with." 

Bottom line is Hagar is loving his new band. All nine shows from their new tour in May have sold out and their European dates, slated for June and July are selling quick. – by John Beaudin