Sammy Hagar—The Red Rocker himself—is never one to hold back. Recently, he stirred the pot once again, this time using Michael Anthony’s vocal chops to take a playful jab at David Lee Roth. Sammy Hagar recently shared the setlist for his upcoming Barrett-Jackson show on Instagram, sparking plenty of buzz among fans. The lineup includes hits like Finish What Ya Started, Poundcake, and Right Now. But it wasn’t just the setlist that got people talking—it was Sammy’s cheeky comments in the replies.
When one fan expressed surprise at seeing Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love on the list, Sammy didn’t hold back, saying, ‘Mikey sings that one better than Dave.’
Hagar didn’t just praise Michael Anthony; he subtly threw shade at David Lee Roth in the process.
It’s no secret that Michael Anthony is one of the most underrated vocalists in rock. His soaring harmonies were a critical part of Van Halen’s sound, and fans have long praised his ability to enhance any song he touches. But Sammy Hagar’s claim that Anthony sings Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love better than Roth takes things to a whole new level.
The playful jab at Roth is just the latest chapter in the long-running rivalry between Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth. While both frontmen brought something unique to Van Halen, their differences—both musically and personally—have fueled decades of debate among fans.
Roth’s flamboyant showmanship defined the band’s early years, while Hagar’s powerhouse voice and melodic style helped Van Halen reach new heights in the ’80s. But the tension between the two frontmen has always been undeniable, even when they toured together in the early 2000s.
It’s worth noting that Michael Anthony and David Lee Roth haven’t shared a stage since the iconic 1984 tour. Their paths briefly crossed again during Van Halen’s ill-fated 1996 reunion with Roth, but the collaboration was short-lived and fraught with issues.
The 1996 attempt to bring Roth back into the fold was marred by creative differences and behind-the-scenes drama, leading to Roth’s departure before a full reunion could take shape. Since then, Anthony and Roth have pursued separate musical paths, with no signs of a future collaboration on the horizon.
In contrast, Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony have built a partnership that’s stood the test of time. From their work together in Van Halen’s Hagar era to their projects with Chickenfoot and The Circle, the duo has maintained a strong bond both on and off the stage.
