Former Van Halen singer Sammy Hagar recently talked about how his disciplined approach to his career clashed with his bandmates’ party lifestyle. He shared his perspective in an interview with The Express.
Hagar outlined how he maintained his professional standards while working with a band known for their excessive partying habits.
Hagar said: “I was guilty as everyone else. I would just always conservatively did all those things. I was always the first guy to leave during the heavy party in years and I’d say, ‘I’m out of here.’ And I’d go to my room, lock myself in and tell my tour manager, I don’t care if I come beating on your door, drag me back to my room.”
The rock veteran then explained his motivation for maintaining discipline throughout his career.
He continued: “Because I had a job to do. My job was more important to me than anything. I also don’t like feeling like a piece of shit because I drank or did too much coke or something or stayed up all night with a bunch of ladies. I don’t like myself the next morning for doing any of that. So it’s more important to have more fun tomorrow night.”
Hagar further disclosed details about his personal history with substances and his approach to self-control.
He said: “And it’s worked for me. I’ve run my life like this from day one. I used to never even drink and do any drugs of any kind. I always was a sexual guy. I am a sucker for that, I didn’t even drink and stuff until I was in my 40s. And then I discovered fine wine and then tequila but I’ve never had a drinking problem. I’ve just always had discipline. I’ve never had an iron fist on top of me telling me, ‘Don’t do this.’”
The singer further highlighted how his bandmates’ lack of discipline affected his own approach to maintaining professional standards.
He concluded, “In fact, the people I run with, like in a band like Van Halen where everybody was so undisciplined, it was like I had to use my own strength and my own sense. If my voice was shot and I did a shit show, I felt like a piece of shit.”
