by sir jorge a orduna

Created on: June 02, 2011   Last Updated: January 13, 2012

There is no doubt that Van Halen has gone through some major ups and downs, but none can argue that Sammy Hagar was better than David Lee Roth. The argument is tired at this point, but people still seem to want to try and make an argument out of the matter. The truth is that Roth created a far better rock star role than Hagar ever could or will. Consider the following three reasons why Roth wins in the battle of the Van Halen singers.

First and foremost, who was there first? The first major record from the mighty metal band had Roth jumping across all sorts of stages to bring live shows to anyone that would listen. This sort of frenetic pacing, loud mouth antics, and vocal delivery created such a buzz that it put the band on the map. From the debut release through several tours and major music videos, it was obvious that while the band had some great musical chops, it was Roth, as the energetic front man, that pulled the package together.

When you think about rock stardom, wild antics, women, drugs, and booze, you think of David Lee Roth. Roth is a wild man, and continually pushes the boundaries of what a rock star can and has done. From crazy demands backstage, to a tour bus full of groupies, the man is a rock legend for vocals and bedding women. Hagar might get his fair share of women, but when you think rock god, you think Roth not Hagar.

The reunion shows that Van Halen pulls together in modern times have David Lee Roth on the stage, and it doesn’t look like he’s lost a step. Yes, he’s older, yes he has his problems with the band, but if you look at the live performance you can’t deny that he makes sure that the fans get their money’s worth. No matter how tiring it is, when “Hot For Teacher”, “Jump”, and “Running With The Devil” hit, Roth is a mad man and it’s easy to see why fans pay good money to see him front the mighty Van Halen.

If nothing else, the 1980’s wouldn’t have yielded so many wild front men, if it weren’t for the example that was set by one David Lee Roth. He put the front man persona up front, while Eddie Van Halen shredded on the guitar, and that’s why he’s better than Hagar.

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