Sammy slams ‘rough’ Roth vocals

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Former Van Halen frontman Hagar criticises quality of their first live album with Diamond Dave

Former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar has criticised David Lee Roth’s vocals on the band’s latest live album.

Tokyo Dome Live In Concert was launched last month, and was reportedly released without any vocal touchups. But Hagar has slammed that decision and says the move damages their reputation.

Speaking about Van Halen’s first live album with Roth, he tells the Las Vegas Review-Journal: “I’m trying to tread lightly on the whole thing. Every time they do something, I’m like, ‘Oh my god, can these guys do anything worse to their reputation and to the level of the music of the band?’

“They’ve got some pretty rough vocals.”

He adds: “I try to stay away from criticism but here I am. It’s impossible to stay away from. Standing back, I’m just going, ‘What are these guys thinking?‘”

Hagar is part of supergroup The Circle featuring his fellow former Van Halen bandmate Michael Anthony along with drummer Jason Bonham and guitarist Vic Johnson. They’ll release their own live album titled At Your Service on May 19.

Scott Munro
Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent 35 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott keeps Louder’s buyer’s guides up to date, writes about the best deals for music fans, keeps on top of the latest tech releases and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more for Louder. Over the last 10 years, Scott has written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, The Tragically Hip, Marillion and Rush.