Van Halen icon, Sammy Hagar was interviewed on a new edition of Lance Armstrong’s show, The Forward Podcast. Here, the former Van Halen frontman discusses why Van Halen guitarist, Eddie Van Halen’s weight gain is not a bad thing, but rather a good thing. Alternative Nation transcribed Hagar and Armstrong’s comments.
Hagar: It wasn’t like we were bombin’, Eddie [Van Halen] was just starting to go crazy, then he went through that whole thing and then the reunion [happened]. I don’t know, like I said, I hope he’s solid now. I’ve seen pictures of him now recently –
Armstrong: I’ve looked up pictures of him recently, yeah.
Hagar: Eddie doesn’t look the best that he’s ever looked but he doesn’t look like he’s [drinking]. You know, when Eddie’s got weight on him, that’s when he’s not drinking.
Armstrong: Yeah, because he’s got a little bit of a pooch, he posted a picture of him and his motorcycle from just a couple months ago.
Hagar: That’s much better. I love Eddie with a little belly on him because when he is skinny and crazy-looking, he is doing all the wrong stuff. Eddie’s great though, one of the greatest guitar players to ever live, him and I wrote some of the greatest songs in rock history, I’ll say: “Yes we did!” and I’ll brag about that any day. I miss those guys, I don’t want to be back in Van Halen because I think there is too much luggage and I think at my age now it’s like: “ehh, why?” I do this for other reasons.
Armstrong: Well you got a couple hundred million bucks and you’re in a good mood, so you don’t need to do that.
[Hagar smirks]
Hagar: It ain’t just money, though. If I was broke, I would still rather be in the band I’m in now and I’m not joking. We love each other.
