Sammy Hagar recently talked about multiple offers he has received from legendary bands throughout his career. He addressed the matter in an interview shared on NME.
Sammy Hagar opens up on Anthrax offer
During the interview, he was asked about turning down the chance to be in Velvet Revolver. Hagar explained that numerous popular bands approached him over the years. He reflected on several high-profile opportunities, including a tour offer from Aerosmith following Steven Tyler’s 2009 stage fall.
“Every damn band you’ve ever heard of has tried to get me in at some point! Even when Steven Tyler went off the rails and fell off the stage in 2009, [Aerosmith’s] Joe Perry and their manager called me up and asked me to join the band for a South American and US tour,” Hagar said. “I started making a setlist in my head of classics like ‘Livin’ On The Edge’. Then I thought, ‘Am I fucking crazy? I ain’t going to try and replace a guy like Steven Tyler.’”
Beyond Aerosmith, industry figures attempted to recruit him for other iconic acts. Hagar disclosed that Led Zeppelin and even the Grateful Dead had expressed interest in his involvement.
“When Robert Plant and Jimmy Page weren’t getting on, people in the industry were trying to get me to front Led Zep – who are one of my favorite bands in the world, but I wouldn’t be caught dead trying to replace Robert Plant! Who else? Anthrax, even the [Grateful] Dead – the Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir and me are dear friends, and we’ve talked a million times about me being in the band,” he continued.
Hagar then highlighted that that accepting such offers would have fundamentally altered his legacy. Having already replaced David Lee Roth in Van Halen, he expressed satisfaction with his career trajectory and the pivotal moments that shaped it.
“I did it once with Dave in Van Halen. If I did it again, it would change my whole legacy. I’d be the guy who replaced two singers, instead of Sammy Hagar. I’m happy with the career path I’ve taken. Getting kicked out of Montrose [in 1975] was the best thing that ever happened to me, and getting kicked out of Van Halen [in 1996] was the second best thing. I wouldn’t change anything,” Hagar concluded.
