Sammy vs Dave: As if there was really a doubt?

[PlumLoco]

I'm too lazy to find the other Van Halen thread, but figured I'd remind some of you old guys, just how bad DLR was. Both of them were first class showman, but only one was a singer.
It is actually a relief when Mikey starts wailing some harmony.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

I prefer Sammy but DLR was the MTV music video legend I grew up on.

 

[Sleek-Jet]

Van Hagar...

 

[Romans9]

Liked them both but DLR put on one great show back in the 80’s. A true showman back then for sure.

Taking girls to a VH concert was enjoyable…

 

[C-2]

Hagar always played San Bernardino and he was bad ass each and every time. Loved his show and standing Hampton is still a fav record of mine.

I lost interest in him when he joined Van Halen.

Diamond Dave all the way.

 

[Outdrive1]

Sammy is great on his own. DLR and Van Halen were originators. There was never anything like them again.

 

[C-2]

Taking girls to a VH concert was enjoyable…

Hah! I tell people that all the time...when you heard the cowbell/opening riff from Dance the Night Away, on a Friday evening....you just knew you were in for a great night. And you were probably getting laid

 

[oldschool]

Both versions kick ass, but I look at them as 2 different bands. Both great frontmen, but Sammy can actually sing.

 

[Riley1]

My favorite Van Halen(Hager) song. But I’m 40, so the amount of music from them that I experienced would be different.

Could go on for days about Punk Rock, and Country too.

 

[Tank]

 

[SPYLIFE]

Remember when they toured together. I would say 2002 range. Saw them in Atlanta, was a good show, though I remember Dave causing some commotion on the stage over the placement of fan, or something silly.

 

[TrollerDave]

Both versions kick ass, but I look at them as 2 different bands. Both great frontmen, but Sammy can actually sing.

My thoughts exactly about being 2 different bands. Some say Dave wasn’t a good singer, but I think he was the right singer at the right time. I think he was essential in making them who they were. I don’t know if Spicoli would have hired them for his birthday party if Dave wasn’t the singer.

 

[Member: 71]

Another vote:

 

[C-2]

View attachment 1484214

This really sums it up!

 

[TPC]

Sammy can play and sing all of Dave's songs,, Dave can't sing any of Sammy's songs, especially their greatest,, Dreams.

 

[77charger]

Dlr for sure with Van Halen.

As solo artist Hagar was better.

 

[Tremor Therapy]

Grew up with Van Halen, saw them back in 1978 when I was 16....they were awesome!

The 2 versions of the band are very different. DLR version had a more edgy sound, SH version became more pop. I prefer the bands sound before SH. And sure, SH can sing all of the songs during Dave's era, but not like Dave.....those shows from the late 70's and 80's were hard, raw, and much better in my opinion. Once Sammy showed up the sound became more synthesized., MTV friendly. They still had a couple of decent songs, but the formula of the first records was gone. After 5150 they lost me.

 

[Tank]

Here's the REAL question that never gets asked.

Which would you rather party with...Sammy or DLR? LOL

 

[steamin rice]

Here's the REAL question that never gets asked.

Which would you rather party with...Sammy or DLR? LOL

Now? Sammy for sure

Back in their prime, that's a harder one

 

[CLCookie]

I was a Sammy hater until my wife dragged me to go see him. He is amazing and still is, no idea how he is still doing it. If you haven't seen him in Cabo, it doesn't get any better. DLR WAS amazing, now he is just a footnote in my opinion. Good in the early 80's, like a built up Chevy Luv.

 

[WTMFA]

I grew up on early Van Halen (had the first album on 8 track) but I like em both.
For me, early Van Halen is backyard party music, Van Halen with Sammy is beach/lake music
I never understood the "like one but not the other" mentality, if it's good it's good

 

[wallnutz]

Here's the REAL question that never gets asked.

Which would you rather party with...Sammy or DLR? LOL

In the 80's DLR, now Sammy for sure. I actually had a beer with Sammy at the Long Beach Grand Prix on my birthday 10 years ago, super nice guy.

 

[TPC]

Sammy.

 

[Thing One]

Sammy all day long. Seen him a few times now, still an incredible voice and a great showman. His day with Montrose still rocked. DLR can't sing for shit.

 

[rivermobster]

It's a tough call for me...

My thoughts exactly about being 2 different bands. Some say Dave wasn’t a good singer, but I think he was the right singer at the right time. I think he was essential in making them who they were. I don’t know if Spicoli would have hired them for his birthday party if Dave wasn’t the singer.

This ^^^

 

[old rigger]

Van Hagar...

Sam Halen

 

[Your ad here]

Both are just as good as one another. Same deal as Black Sabbath with Ozzy and Black Sabbath with Ronnie James Dio. Many bands have changed singers and both versions have been good. Pantera, AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Anthrax. I tend to find there is more raw garage band type sound with original singers.

 

[AzMandella]

Grew up with Van Halen, saw them back in 1978 when I was 16....they were awesome!

The 2 versions of the band are very different. DLR version had a more edgy sound, SH version became more pop. I prefer the bands sound before SH. And sure, SH can sing all of the songs during Dave's era, but not like Dave.....those shows from the late 70's and 80's were hard, raw, and much better in my opinion. Once Sammy showed up the sound became more synthesized., MTV friendly. They still had a couple of decent songs, but the formula of the first records was gone. After 5150 they lost me.

I keep hearing how they became more synthesized after SH joined the band . I've heard people get really mad and blame SH for turning them into woosies . I guess eveyrone forgets about an album called 1984 where Eddie was doing all the keyboard stuff . I'd say Eddie started it . He was taught to play the piano before he learned the guitar . As far as whos better . I like em both DLR days is Harder and SH days are more melodic but I would not say POP .

 

[Mandelon]

 

[NIKAL]

They really were two different bands and both right for the times. I don’t think the Van Halen would have been successful if they switch times, with Sammy first and David as the second singer.

David was the showman, the music was about the party & girls. By the time Sammy showed up the band had grown up, matured and had perfected their craft. Sammy’s lyrics & vocal abilities were more perfected and mature with where the band was wanting to go.

When David was the singer VH best charting album was 1984 and reached #2. And with David they had 4, #1 hits.

When Sammy was the singer VH they had 4 albums hit #1 on the charts and had a total of 9, # 1 hit songs.

But VH sold more albums with David in the band.

 

[Mandelon]

 

[C-2]

Van Halen Van Halen is recognized as one of the best rock albums ever produced, it appears on Rolling Stone Magazine's top 500 records of all time, which includes all genre's of music.

Enuff said, this argument is over.

I think

Rock on, I love these types of threads.

 

[oldschool]

Van Halen Van Halen is recognized as one of the best rock albums ever produced, it appears on Rolling Stone Magazine's top 500 records of all time, which includes all genre's of music.

Enuff said, this argument is over.

I think

Rock on, I love these types of threads.

Rolling Stone also has Joan Jett in the top 100 guitarist’s, so there’s that.

 

[old rigger]

Van Halen Van Halen is recognized as one of the best rock albums ever produced, it appears on Rolling Stone Magazine's top 500 records of all time, which includes all genre's of music.

Enuff said, this argument is over.

I think

Rock on, I love these types of threads.

Rolling Stone also has Joan Jett in the top 100 guitarist’s, so there’s that.

Friend of mine had to have brain surgery about 10 years ago to remove a tumor, he survived but lost hearing in one ear. I went to visit him and swung by the book store to get him something to read while recuperating. Actually don't remember what book I got him but almost got him a copy of Rolling Stone that had their list of the 100 best rock bands. I thumbed through it then put it back. The list was wrong.

 

[C-2]

Rolling Stone also said 83 or 84 was the best year for music, ever.

And they were right

Their mag nowadays is not much bigger than a postcard.

Remember Circus mag? I wonder what they would say?

 

[DWC]

DLR for me. My favorite quote of his.

 

[Stroker Ace]

Sammy got to ride the wave that dave helped create
Van Halen was the best of its time, van hagar was a vh1 band …decent songs, but not nearly the excitement and songs of Eddie and Diamond Dave.

 

[Sleek-Jet]

IMHO "Panama" is one of the best rock songs of all times and only Dave can perform it like it should be done. VH was more metal until Sammy, and were more melodic afterwords, but we're always one the best bands, period. "On Top of the World" was our class song back in 93, and that would have sounded like shit if Dave would have sung it... LOL.

 

[poncho]

Both, I could never choose, each one was a fantastic flavor.
VH was special.

If my life depended on it, I'm going with Dave, Ice Cream Man and little Dreamer belong to one person.

 

[Ricks raft]

Always been a Sammy fan. First concert I went to was a new years rockin eve at Oakland colosseum With Heart and Sammy. Was in 7th or 8th grade. He put on fantastic shows back then. Little less energy now
I Liked both versions of VH.
Why the hell isn’t Sammy in the hall of fame yet(solo). Well over 50 years of making great music. No slacker at guitar either.

 

[Outdrive1]

I got a Walkman for Christmas my 8th grade year. I only had a couple tapes, one of them being 1984. I wore that out walking to school and back everyday. It was a great time to be alive.

 

[Uncle Dave]

Buddies and I cogitated long into many nights about this and came to the conclusion VHD & and VHS are basically two different bands with the same name, and both good.

 

[TX Laramie]

I'm just 42, but reading and listening to the scuttle butt, didn't Eddie push the keyboards when Diamond Dave was still lead, as a way to lean into the future 80 decade years. To say Sammy ushered in a polished synth sound might be a tad harsh.

I liked what Diamond and Van Halen offered, but I do like the larger sounds of Sammy and Van Halen.

 

[Dan Lorenze]

I'm just 42, but reading and listening to the scuttle butt, didn't Eddie push the keyboards when Diamond Dave was still lead, as a way to lean into the future 80 decade years. To say Sammy ushered in a polished synth sound might be a tad harsh.

I liked what Diamond and Van Halen offered, but I do like the larger sounds of Sammy and Van Halen.

You're right.. It was Ed that really pushed the keyboards. It started on 1984 with DLR. Yet some people blame Sammy for it, it was Ed.

 

[Looking Glass]

I'm Just A Gigolo.

 

[bilz]

VH 1 kicked ass but fir me VH 2 is probably my favorite album.
VH with Dave is my favorite, But I enjoy Sammy also. Seen both renditions live, Dave in the beginning kicked ass.

 

[gqchris]

Anyone else feel sad when watching these videos? In the sense that, it will never be that good again. I think of the river, and the partys, and now everyone and everything is aging out. We have the memories, but damn, it was a GREAT time to be alive!!

No cell phones, no regrets, freedom at its finest.

The year for me was 1984, just a young kid first time at the rolling skating rink......I can still see it like yesterday. "Jump" comes on the system, DJ is in the moment, everyone jumps up to skate. That keyboard into we all know and love. The light show was something special I never seen before. I was scared yet it all felt right.

 

[Boatymcboatface]