David Lee Roth Extends Subtle Jabs at Sammy Hagar, Van Halen Bandmates

Legendary Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth was interviewed briefly Sunday night, backstage at the Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Never boring, Diamond Dave took a stab at Van Halen’s other frontman, Sammy Hagar, while also taking a veiled jab at his Van Halen bandmates. “Everybody has a different work ethic. Everybody has a different approach. The Van Halens [Eddie and Alex] are perhaps a bit more traditional,” Roth responded when asked about working on a new Van Halen album. The singer’s shot aimed at Hagar was much less subtle when offered in response to a question about whether he would perform Hagar-era Van Halen songs during his upcoming tour with the band. “Well, there’s a credibility issue there. Good, bad or in the middle, you know Roth means it; the other guy doesn’t,” Roth replied. “And that’s why it sold half as well. Literally, Midas Bible half. Never did better than half. And why would you bring that into the proceedings? This hamburger don’t need no helper.” Watch Dave’s brief but entertaining chat in the YouTube clip above.