Def Leppard Star On Van Halen Vs. Van Hagar05-28-2019
![]() Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell recently weighed in on the debate over which version of Van Halen (with David Lee Roth or Sammy Hagar) is the best. During an interview with "Zach Martin's Big Fat American Rock Show!", Vivian, who is also known for his work with Dio, Last In Line and Whitesnake, among many others, was asked which version of the iconic southern California band that he prefers. He responded, "Dave Lee Roth, no doubt. That was part of the original character of the band. There was a humor in early Van Halen that came across in the music, and that was essentially Dave Lee Roth's input on that. "He wasn't a tremendous vocalist, but he had a tremendous style and a unique character and personality, and that was as important to the early band as Eddie's guitar playing and Alex's drumming and Michael Anthony's bass playing. Vivian then elaborated, "They were a great band - the original band. That's not to detract in any way from Sammy Hagar, who's a remarkable singer. And what they did with Sammy was different. I mean, it was good, but it was different. It was a little more mainstream, to my ears. "It was also not just Sammy's influence that changed the sound of Van Halen. It was also around the same time that Eddie discovered the keyboards. Which is all well and good, but I prefer to listen to him as a guitarist. So those two elements definitely reshaped the sound of the later Van Halen. But I'm very much a fan of the early band." Check out the interview here
Related Stories
Sammy Hagar Wants To Finish Unreleased Van Halen RecordingsMetallica, Ozzy, Van Halen Make RS 50 Worst Album Covers List Van Halen's Chart Topping 'For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge' Expanded Alex Van Halen Invited To Be Part Of Sammy Hagar's Best Of Both Worlds Tour Rare Eddie Van Halen Guitar Being Auctioned
|
Stuckey's: A Road Trip Institution - A Chat with CEO Stephanie Stuckey
Road Trip: Eswatini's Swazi Candles: Light from Africa
Quick Flicks: REO Speedwagon - Live at Rockpalast 1979
Caught In The Act: Def Leppard, Journey, Steve Miller Rock Wrigley Field
Sites and Sounds: Art-In-Action Camp Coming to Woodward, PA
Sammy Hagar Share Video From Best Of All Worlds Van Halen Tribute Tour
Queens Of The Stone Age Cancel More Shows Following Josh Homme's Emergency Surgery
Axl Rose Helps Billy Joel Close Out His Madison Square Garden Residency
Ghost Deliver 'Rite Here Rite Now' Soundtrack
The Offspring 'Make It All Right' With New Animated Video
Fit For A King Recruit The Plot In You's Tewers For 'TECHNIUM' Video
Middle Child Syndrome Says 'Listen To Me' With Debut Album
Singled Out: The Sweet's Little Miracle