Wolfgang Van Halen Weighs in on Roth vs. Hagar Debate

Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

August 24th, 2020 4:07 PM

David Lee Roth vs. Sammy Hagar is a debate that has gone on for decades with no real sign of ever stopping. So, what does current Van Halen bassist/Eddie Van Halen’s son, Wolfgang, think of this classic debate?

Wolfgang was posed this question on social media and he responded, “They both kick ass. The war is dumb. Enjoy whatever you want and don’t hate someone else if they don’t like what you like. The same guy wrote the music too, so you’re doing yourself a disservice for not at the VERY least checking the other side out.”

Someone then asked if he had a preference, and he simply replied, “BOTH.”

Perhaps this is low-hanging fruit, but did anyone else kind of wish he responded, “Gary Cherone”?

7 Outrageous Tour Rider Demands and Other Requests

• Van Halen

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  Ah, yes...how could there be a tour rider list without mentioning Van Halen and the whole "no brown M&M's" request? Believe it or not, the band wasn't really being divas back then. The legend of the M&M's has since been cleared up. The reason why that detail was included was to see if promoters actually read the band's performance contract. David Lee Roth said in a 2012 interview, "Van Halen was the first to take 850 par lamp lights — huge lights — around the country. At the time, it was the biggest production ever. If I came backstage, having been one of the architects of this lighting and staging design, and I saw brown M&Ms on the catering table, then I guarantee the promoter had not read the contract rider, and we would have to do a serious line check."

• Mick Jagger

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  Mick Jagger has a very unique request when it comes to the mattress in his hotel. According to a report from 'The Daily Mail,' Jagger "asks for a new mattress in his room, no matter how posh the hotel. But he insists the plastic wrapping stays on while someone sleeps for one night on the mattress to break it in."

• Prince

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  Speaking of plastic wrap, Prince had on his 2004 tour rider that “all items in dressing room must be covered by clear plastic wrap until uncovered by main artist. This is absolutely necessary.” This feels a little extra, but honestly, this request wasn't terribly shocking considering how particular the late music icon was.
• Paul McCartney

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  Paul McCartney's past tour riders have been lengthy, but considering his legend, they seem rather tame. Many of his requests have to do with his vegan lifestyle, so no furniture backstage made from animal skin (leather) nor is faux leather or animal prints are allowed.

• Jack White

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  Jack White got a lot of attention for his tour rider when he was out supporting his album 'Lazeretto,' because it included a request for a bowl of "fresh home-made guacamole" and included a very specific recipe that included directions on how to cut the avocado. (FYI: It's "3 or 4 slits down, 3 or 4 slits across.)

• Iggy Pop

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  Iggy Pop's 2006 tour rider was 18 pages, but it clearly wasn't taking itself too seriously. Some of his requests included "somebody dressed as Bob Hope" and "a copy of 'USA Today' that's got a story about morbidly obese people in it." What a legend!
• Foo Fighters

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  Foo Fighters have taken joke tour riders to another level. In 2011, their tour rider had a coloring book theme complete with a word search and a maze. It also included a list of non-permitted items in the venue which included "light sabers" and "garden gnomes." However, maybe we're wrong. Perhaps, there was a bizarre incident at a past show involving light sabers and garden gnomes.

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Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

Category:

• Classic Rock News
• Music
• WMGK Audio

Tags:

Van Halen,Wolfgang Van Halen