MR

SAMMY HAGAR SAYS VAN HALEN USED TAPES OF MICHAEL ANTHONY'S VOCALS

10/28/2011


Ex-Van Halen vocalist Sammy Hagar has accused the band of using tapes of backing vocals originally done by ex-Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony on its 2007/2008 reunion tour, for which Anthony was replaced by guitarist Eddie Van Halen's teenage son Wolfgang. Hagar told Attention Deficit Delirium, "Those vocal harmonies on the last tour were Mike on tape. Mike should've reamed them for it. Wolfie don't sing like that, and Ed sure as hell don't. Go on the internet and listen to Ed's voice live from the reunion with me. Hear him sing on 'When It's Love' and some of those songs. Ed can't sing, and his voice is shot if he can, from cigarettes and booze anyway."

Anthony and Hagar both last played with Van Halen on a 2004 reunion tour that ended acrimoniously. Both maintain that Anthony was booted from Van Halen for maintaining a friendship and working relationship with Hagar.
Wolfgang appeared throughout the 2007/2008 tour, which was the band's first with original frontman David Lee Roth in 23 years. This lineup of the group recently completed work on a new album -- the band's first with Roth in 27 years -- although the project and its release plan are shrouded in mystery.
Hagar told us that he thinks Van Halen made a grave mistake leaving Anthony out of the reunion tour with Roth: "Anyone in their right mind would know if you're gonna get Roth back -- finally! -- after all these abortions they've had, you get Mikey and you do the reunion tour, what the world really was waiting for. Not just f*** it up again. It's almost like they don't care about their fans. They just want to badger them until -- see how much they'll take."
Hagar added that he doesn't think the new Van Halen album will ever see the light of day, saying, "They've been working on that record for a year and a half or whatever, and they keep postponing and postponing it. I just know that Wolfie, Dave and Ed are not the Van Halen that the world wants to see. To do it with David without Mike was a horrible decision, but those guys haven't made a good decision since I left the band."
Hagar and Anthony now play together in Chickenfoot, who released their second album, Chickenfoot III, last month.

I agree, you can't have a Dave fronted Van Halen with out Michael and most of the harmony back in the day was Michael too so I wouldn't put it past them to use tapes.

ebake02 wrote:I agree, you can't have a Dave fronted Van Halen with out Michael and most of the harmony back in the day was Michael too so I wouldn't put it past them to use tapes.

To me, Michael Anthony is the "Steve Perry" of Van Halen Backing Vocals...
...there is NO MISTAKING THAT VOICE.

Backing vocals on tape? Not exactly tape gate. More of a performance royalty issue I would think.

Such old news....I reported this back in 2008.

Total non-story. Just about every AOR band out there is using canned backing vocals these days.

TRAGChick wrote:

ebake02 wrote:I agree, you can't have a Dave fronted Van Halen with out Michael and most of the harmony back in the day was Michael too so I wouldn't put it past them to use tapes.

To me, Michael Anthony is the "Steve Perry" of Van Halen Backing Vocals...
...there is NO MISTAKING THAT VOICE.

Agreed, the best backing vocals in music without question. I just bought Chickenfoot III today and you can definitely tell that's Michael singing in the background.

ebake02 wrote:

TRAGChick wrote:

ebake02 wrote:I agree, you can't have a Dave fronted Van Halen with out Michael and most of the harmony back in the day was Michael too so I wouldn't put it past them to use tapes.

To me, Michael Anthony is the "Steve Perry" of Van Halen Backing Vocals...
...there is NO MISTAKING THAT VOICE.

Agreed, the best backing vocals in music without question. I just bought Chickenfoot III today and you can definitely tell that's Michael singing in the background.

You must not listen to much music . Distinctive? Sure. Worked for the music he was part of? Definitely. Really great? Not by a long shot in any genre.

Rock Sugar was lipping at MRF2.....well, at least Jess was.

No question.

The shows were good. Dave stepped up, Eddie could play.

But the backing vocals were canned for sure. Just pettiness not bringing in Michael Anthony.

AR wrote:No question.

The shows were good. Dave stepped up, Eddie could play.

But the backing vocals were canned for sure. Just pettiness not bringing in Michael Anthony.

I still enjoyed the reunion concert I went to, but yeah - those backing vox were piped in.

AR you and Niggy gave me the NY (Meadowlands) boot....posted in the VH forum that I actually fogged up a little first time I saw them hit the stage...they WERE tight that tour.

Fact Finder wrote:

Don wrote:Backing vocals on tape? Not exactly tape gate. More of a performance royalty issue I would think.

Just reading over on Pollstar about Roger Waters extending the Wall tour thru next year, and fans are bitching that he is lipping during parts of that show.

I saw his show last Christmas. There has been talk of him lipping shows forever. Of course, His show is more theater than a demonstration of vocal acrobatics so It's a non issue if he's miming or not for the majority of people.

Don wrote:

Fact Finder wrote:

Don wrote:Backing vocals on tape? Not exactly tape gate. More of a performance royalty issue I would think.

Just reading over on Pollstar about Roger Waters extending the Wall tour thru next year, and fans are bitching that he is lipping during parts of that show.

I saw his show last Christmas. There has been talk of him lipping shows forever. Of course, His show is more theater than a demonstration of vocal acrobatics so It's a non issue if he's miming or not for the majority of people.

That'd be a pretty big fuckin issue for me. But I'd much rather see David Gilmour anyway.

Ehwmatt wrote:

Don wrote:

Fact Finder wrote:

Don wrote:Backing vocals on tape? Not exactly tape gate. More of a performance royalty issue I would think.

Just reading over on Pollstar about Roger Waters extending the Wall tour thru next year, and fans are bitching that he is lipping during parts of that show.

I saw his show last Christmas. There has been talk of him lipping shows forever. Of course, His show is more theater than a demonstration of vocal acrobatics so It's a non issue if he's miming or not for the majority of people.

That'd be a pretty big fuckin issue for me. But I'd much rather see David Gilmour anyway.

Gilmour doesn't lip, that's for sure. When I saw him in 94, it was obvious that the vocals were live as his tone was a bit different than the recordings. Roger's shows are more like Masterpiece Theatre and he appears to be stage acting more than singing but most peoole go in knowing that a big production like The Wall is going to be enhanced to a certain degree.
However, for bands like Journey or a John Farnham where the vocals are the selling point for a lot of people, that shit better be real or then you have nothing.

Don wrote:

Ehwmatt wrote:

Don wrote:

Fact Finder wrote:

Don wrote:Backing vocals on tape? Not exactly tape gate. More of a performance royalty issue I would think.

Just reading over on Pollstar about Roger Waters extending the Wall tour thru next year, and fans are bitching that he is lipping during parts of that show.

I saw his show last Christmas. There has been talk of him lipping shows forever. Of course, His show is more theater than a demonstration of vocal acrobatics so It's a non issue if he's miming or not for the majority of people.

That'd be a pretty big fuckin issue for me. But I'd much rather see David Gilmour anyway.

Gilmour doesn't lip, that's for sure. When I saw him in 94, it was obvious that the vocals were live as his tone was a bit different than the recordings. Roger's shows are more like Masterpiece Theatre and he appears to be stage acting more than singing but most peoole go in knowing that a big production like The Wall is going to be enhanced to a certain degree.
However, for bands like Journey or a John Farnham where the vocals are the selling point for a lot of people, that shit better be real or then you have nothing.

What sucks is that Gilmour, Mason, & Waters, IMO will never take the stage together again. And as far as backing vocals at Halen concerts, so fucking what.

I'm sure at one point or another, every band we have ever seen used them. It doesn't diminish the experience of seeing them live, especially Halen and what

they mean to RNR.

No Surprize wrote:

Don wrote:

Ehwmatt wrote:

Don wrote:

Fact Finder wrote:

Don wrote:Backing vocals on tape? Not exactly tape gate. More of a performance royalty issue I would think.

Just reading over on Pollstar about Roger Waters extending the Wall tour thru next year, and fans are bitching that he is lipping during parts of that show.

I saw his show last Christmas. There has been talk of him lipping shows forever. Of course, His show is more theater than a demonstration of vocal acrobatics so It's a non issue if he's miming or not for the majority of people.

That'd be a pretty big fuckin issue for me. But I'd much rather see David Gilmour anyway.

Gilmour doesn't lip, that's for sure. When I saw him in 94, it was obvious that the vocals were live as his tone was a bit different than the recordings. Roger's shows are more like Masterpiece Theatre and he appears to be stage acting more than singing but most peoole go in knowing that a big production like The Wall is going to be enhanced to a certain degree.
However, for bands like Journey or a John Farnham where the vocals are the selling point for a lot of people, that shit better be real or then you have nothing.

What sucks is that Gilmour, Mason, & Waters, IMO will never take the stage together again. And as far as backing vocals at Halen concerts, so fucking what.

I'm sure at one point or another, every band we have ever seen used them. It doesn't diminish the experience of seeing them live, especially Halen and what

they mean to RNR.

I think the problem Peartree had with it is that it's thought they are using Anthony's backing tracks when he's not in the band anymore. Other than that, I agree with you.

Rick wrote:

No Surprize wrote:

Don wrote:

Ehwmatt wrote:

Don wrote:

Fact Finder wrote:

Don wrote:Backing vocals on tape? Not exactly tape gate. More of a performance royalty issue I would think.

Just reading over on Pollstar about Roger Waters extending the Wall tour thru next year, and fans are bitching that he is lipping during parts of that show.

I saw his show last Christmas. There has been talk of him lipping shows forever. Of course, His show is more theater than a demonstration of vocal acrobatics so It's a non issue if he's miming or not for the majority of people.

That'd be a pretty big fuckin issue for me. But I'd much rather see David Gilmour anyway.

Gilmour doesn't lip, that's for sure. When I saw him in 94, it was obvious that the vocals were live as his tone was a bit different than the recordings. Roger's shows are more like Masterpiece Theatre and he appears to be stage acting more than singing but most peoole go in knowing that a big production like The Wall is going to be enhanced to a certain degree.
However, for bands like Journey or a John Farnham where the vocals are the selling point for a lot of people, that shit better be real or then you have nothing.

What sucks is that Gilmour, Mason, & Waters, IMO will never take the stage together again. And as far as backing vocals at Halen concerts, so fucking what.

I'm sure at one point or another, every band we have ever seen used them. It doesn't diminish the experience of seeing them live, especially Halen and what

they mean to RNR.

I think the problem Peartree had with it is that it's thought they are using Anthony's backing tracks when he's not in the band anymore. Other than that, I agree with you.

If they were MA, hecould take them to court. I don't think they do or I'm sure he would have already.

No Surprize wrote:

Rick wrote:

No Surprize wrote:

Don wrote:

Ehwmatt wrote:

Don wrote:

Fact Finder wrote:

Don wrote:Backing vocals on tape? Not exactly tape gate. More of a performance royalty issue I would think.

Just reading over on Pollstar about Roger Waters extending the Wall tour thru next year, and fans are bitching that he is lipping during parts of that show.

I saw his show last Christmas. There has been talk of him lipping shows forever. Of course, His show is more theater than a demonstration of vocal acrobatics so It's a non issue if he's miming or not for the majority of people.

That'd be a pretty big fuckin issue for me. But I'd much rather see David Gilmour anyway.

Gilmour doesn't lip, that's for sure. When I saw him in 94, it was obvious that the vocals were live as his tone was a bit different than the recordings. Roger's shows are more like Masterpiece Theatre and he appears to be stage acting more than singing but most peoole go in knowing that a big production like The Wall is going to be enhanced to a certain degree.
However, for bands like Journey or a John Farnham where the vocals are the selling point for a lot of people, that shit better be real or then you have nothing.

What sucks is that Gilmour, Mason, & Waters, IMO will never take the stage together again. And as far as backing vocals at Halen concerts, so fucking what.

I'm sure at one point or another, every band we have ever seen used them. It doesn't diminish the experience of seeing them live, especially Halen and what

they mean to RNR.

I think the problem Peartree had with it is that it's thought they are using Anthony's backing tracks when he's not in the band anymore. Other than that, I agree with you.

If they were MA, hecould take them to court. I don't think they do or I'm sure he would have already.

The bootlegs I saw of that tour, there was something definitely missing in the vocals department, aside from DLR's 6 note range, the backing vocals weren't what you normally heard with them.

TRAGChick wrote:

ebake02 wrote:I agree, you can't have a Dave fronted Van Halen with out Michael and most of the harmony back in the day was Michael too so I wouldn't put it past them to use tapes.

To me, Michael Anthony is the "Steve Perry" of Van Halen Backing Vocals...
...there is NO MISTAKING THAT VOICE.

Halle-frickin-lujah

No Surprize wrote:
If they were MA, hecould take them to court. I don't think they do or I'm sure he would have already.

I'm pretty sure that they didn't use MA vocals on the tour. If they did, they would have had to go back to the original recordings since VH hadn't played the majority of the material on the 07/08 tour in 20+, and that would have really stood out.

VH has been augmenting their background vocals live as far back as the Balance tour, possibly before that, so it is nothing new for them. Gotta have Fitz do something behind the curtain on the songs where he isn't playing keys.

According to Billy Sheehan, Dave used some of Billy's background vocals from the Skyscraper album on the subsequent tour, so nothing new for Dave either.

conversationpc wrote:

TRAGChick wrote:

ebake02 wrote:I agree, you can't have a Dave fronted Van Halen with out Michael and most of the harmony back in the day was Michael too so I wouldn't put it past them to use tapes.

To me, Michael Anthony is the "Steve Perry" of Van Halen Backing Vocals...
...there is NO MISTAKING THAT VOICE.

Halle-frickin-lujah

So who is responsible for Def Leppard's equally distinctive background vocal sound? Sav?

paste wrote:
I'm pretty sure that they didn't use MA vocals on the tour. If they did, they would have had to go back to the original recordings since VH hadn't played the majority of the material on the 07/08 tour in 20+, and that would have really stood out.

Journey used Perry's vocals on the intro to Message of Love in 2006.

Rockindeano wrote:

paste wrote:
I'm pretty sure that they didn't use MA vocals on the tour. If they did, they would have had to go back to the original recordings since VH hadn't played the majority of the material on the 07/08 tour in 20+, and that would have really stood out.

Journey used Perry's vocals on the intro to Message of Love in 2006.

So that's why he got a cut of the touring all those years. Now it makes sense.

Don wrote:

Rockindeano wrote:

paste wrote:
I'm pretty sure that they didn't use MA vocals on the tour. If they did, they would have had to go back to the original recordings since VH hadn't played the majority of the material on the 07/08 tour in 20+, and that would have really stood out.

Journey used Perry's vocals on the intro to Message of Love in 2006.

So that's why he got a cut of the touring all those years. Now it makes sense.

It was only a few shows, but it was by far the best sounding part of the show.

Rockindeano wrote:

paste wrote:
I'm pretty sure that they didn't use MA vocals on the tour. If they did, they would have had to go back to the original recordings since VH hadn't played the majority of the material on the 07/08 tour in 20+, and that would have really stood out.

Journey used Perry's vocals on the intro to Message of Love in 2006.

Did they have to get permission to do that?

paste wrote:

No Surprize wrote:
If they were MA, hecould take them to court. I don't think they do or I'm sure he would have already.

I'm pretty sure that they didn't use MA vocals on the tour. If they did, they would have had to go back to the original recordings since VH hadn't played the majority of the material on the 07/08 tour in 20+, and that would have really stood out.

VH has been augmenting their background vocals live as far back as the Balance tour, possibly before that, so it is nothing new for them. Gotta have Fitz do something behind the curtain on the songs where he isn't playing keys.

According to Billy Sheehan, Dave used some of Billy's background vocals from the Skyscraper album on the subsequent tour, so nothing new for Dave either.

Mr Big are blessed in that department, they have killer 4 part harmonies/backing vocals, check it out.......accapella ~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1dfsT59fMs (PG, BS and PT giving EM a break for at least '1' song)

No worries of a tapegate with MB, that's one band that's 100% live.

Rick wrote:

Rockindeano wrote:

paste wrote:
I'm pretty sure that they didn't use MA vocals on the tour. If they did, they would have had to go back to the original recordings since VH hadn't played the majority of the material on the 07/08 tour in 20+, and that would have really stood out.

Journey used Perry's vocals on the intro to Message of Love in 2006.

Did they have to get permission to do that?

Nope. Either didn't need it, or didn't give two shits what Perry thought...probably the latter.

Here, have a listen- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELD-d-h_qfs

Deb wrote:
Mr Big are blessed in that department, they have killer 4 part harmonies/backing vocals, check it out.......accapella ~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1dfsT59fMs (PG, BS and PT giving EM a break for at least '1' song)

No worries of a tapegate with MB, that's one band that's 100% live.

Blessed? Easy there big fella. They're decent, but far from a super vocal group. I know of many rock bands, and even country acts no less that could sing circles around MB. They couldn't touch Rascal Flatts in this or next century. You need to take off the MB Only glasses.

Rockindeano wrote:

Rick wrote:

Rockindeano wrote:

paste wrote:
I'm pretty sure that they didn't use MA vocals on the tour. If they did, they would have had to go back to the original recordings since VH hadn't played the majority of the material on the 07/08 tour in 20+, and that would have really stood out.

Journey used Perry's vocals on the intro to Message of Love in 2006.

Did they have to get permission to do that?

Nope. Either didn't need it, or didn't give two shits what Perry thought...probably the latter.

Here, have a listen- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELD-d-h_qfs

Dude, check whose video that is.

I don't know if that's Perry or Deen on that.

Soto knocked that outta the park.