Patty Smyth

[NealIsGod]

I remember hearing that Patty Smyth was considered to be the vocalist, I believe before they hired Sammy. Anyone have more info about this? Did it ever get serious?

[Angiekay]

She was friends with Valerie and when David left, she was asked to sing. She turned down the gig and I thought I heard once it was because she was getting married? I don't know if that last part is true or not.

[NealIsGod]

I like Patty, but thank God that never happened.

[Squidward24]

She mentions it in the Scandal episode of VH1's Bands Reunited - although the reason she gave fails me now. It's also mentioned in more detail in the "Greatest Hits - Featuring Scandal" cd.

[Pacfanweb]

Yes, she sang with the band and was offered the job before Sammy. She turned it down.

Sass Jordan also sang with VH and was considered as a replacement for Sammy when he was kicked out in 1996.

[7 Wishes]

The Sass Jordan info is true. But Smyth WAS NOT offered the job before Hagar. Completely wrong and incorrect.

[Squidward24]

The Sass Jordan info is true. But Smyth WAS NOT offered the job before Hagar. Completely wrong and incorrect.

I'm sorry to say but you are wrong. Patty said it in the Bands Reunited special and it's mentioned in that Greatest Hits package. They asked, she said no.

No weather she did anything musical with the band we'll never know - but they did ask her and she said no.

[X factor]

The Sass Jordan info is true. But Smyth WAS NOT offered the job before Hagar. Completely wrong and incorrect.

I'm sorry to say but you are wrong. Patty said it in the Bands Reunited special and it's mentioned in that Greatest Hits package. They asked, she said no.

No weather she did anything musical with the band we'll never know - but they did ask her and she said no.

I'm with Naughtius on this one- I think perhaps Patty mis-spoke. My understanding is that Eddie was going to record a solo album after Dave left, and that Patty was but one of many singers he asked to be onboard.

The Sass Jordan stroy is definitely true...and DAMN it's unfortunate it never happened! THAT would've kicked so much ass...

[Pacfanweb]

The Sass Jordan info is true. But Smyth WAS NOT offered the job before Hagar. Completely wrong and incorrect.

Sorry bud, but you are the one who's wrong here.

Eddie has told the story about Patty being offered the job before Sammy.

Patty even mentioned it in an interview on MTV or VH1, and even looked at the camera and said (paraphrasing) "sorry Sammy, but you were their second choice"....laughing, of course.

This has been well-documented over the years.

[X factor]

The Sass Jordan info is true. But Smyth WAS NOT offered the job before Hagar. Completely wrong and incorrect.

Sorry bud, but you are the one who's wrong here.

Eddie has told the story about Patty being offered the job before Sammy.

Patty even mentioned it in an interview on MTV or VH1, and even looked at the camera and said (paraphrasing) "sorry Sammy, but you were their second choice"....laughing, of course.

This has been well-documented over the years.

I still believe she was refering to when Eddie asked her to sing on his "solo" album that never was... who knows, by this point?

[7 Wishes]

Sorry bud, but you are the one who's wrong here.
Eddie has told the story about Patty being offered the job before Sammy.
atty even mentioned it in an interview on MTV or VH1, and even looked at the camera and said (paraphrasing) "sorry Sammy, but you were their second choice"....laughing, of course.
This has been well-documented over the years.

It's just not true, dude. You got this one wrong.

[Pacfanweb]

Sorry bud, but you are the one who's wrong here.
Eddie has told the story about Patty being offered the job before Sammy.
atty even mentioned it in an interview on MTV or VH1, and even looked at the camera and said (paraphrasing) "sorry Sammy, but you were their second choice"....laughing, of course.
This has been well-documented over the years.

It's just not true, dude. You got this one wrong.

Nope. Go to vhlinks.com and ask this question...or better yet, search for this question, as it's been asked there many times.
I even have an interview in an old mag somewhere where Eddie talks about it.
It's beyond debate that it's a true story.

[NealIsGod]

Sorry bud, but you are the one who's wrong here.
Eddie has told the story about Patty being offered the job before Sammy.
atty even mentioned it in an interview on MTV or VH1, and even looked at the camera and said (paraphrasing) "sorry Sammy, but you were their second choice"....laughing, of course.
This has been well-documented over the years.

It's just not true, dude. You got this one wrong.

Nope. Go to vhlinks.com and ask this question...or better yet, search for this question, as it's been asked there many times.
I even have an interview in an old mag somewhere where Eddie talks about it.
It's beyond debate that it's a true story.

If only you were sure...

[Pacfanweb]

Sorry bud, but you are the one who's wrong here.
Eddie has told the story about Patty being offered the job before Sammy.
atty even mentioned it in an interview on MTV or VH1, and even looked at the camera and said (paraphrasing) "sorry Sammy, but you were their second choice"....laughing, of course.
This has been well-documented over the years.

It's just not true, dude. You got this one wrong.

Nope. Go to vhlinks.com and ask this question...or better yet, search for this question, as it's been asked there many times.
I even have an interview in an old mag somewhere where Eddie talks about it.
It's beyond debate that it's a true story.

If only you were sure...

Well, I mean,....geez, I saw and heard Patty say it myself, and I read an interview with Eddie where he said SPECIFICALLY that Patty was offered the job, but turned it down because "she didn't know if she could hang with the boys on the road", or words to that effect....and that was probably true, since she was pregnant at the time.
NOT TO MENTION that this story is also documented in the Scandal Greatest Hits CD.

So that's both involved parties, Eddie Van Halen and Patty Smyth, that have both publically acknowledged that Patty was offered the job as lead singer for Van Halen, not just asked to sing on a solo record.
And then we have dudes here that just say "sorry, you're wrong", without a shred of evidence or a link or quote to back it up.
Because, of course, there is no proof because it's true.

But don't believe me and the others. Do a Google search for "patty smyth van halen", or go to the VHLinks and ask. You'll find plenty of proof.

[X factor]

Sorry bud, but you are the one who's wrong here.
Eddie has told the story about Patty being offered the job before Sammy.
atty even mentioned it in an interview on MTV or VH1, and even looked at the camera and said (paraphrasing) "sorry Sammy, but you were their second choice"....laughing, of course.
This has been well-documented over the years.

It's just not true, dude. You got this one wrong.

Nope. Go to vhlinks.com and ask this question...or better yet, search for this question, as it's been asked there many times.
I even have an interview in an old mag somewhere where Eddie talks about it.
It's beyond debate that it's a true story.

If only you were sure...

Well, I mean,....geez, I saw and heard Patty say it myself, and I read an interview with Eddie where he said SPECIFICALLY that Patty was offered the job, but turned it down because "she didn't know if she could hang with the boys on the road", or words to that effect....and that was probably true, since she was pregnant at the time.
NOT TO MENTION that this story is also documented in the Scandal Greatest Hits CD.

So that's both involved parties, Eddie Van Halen and Patty Smyth, that have both publically acknowledged that Patty was offered the job as lead singer for Van Halen, not just asked to sing on a solo record.
And then we have dudes here that just say "sorry, you're wrong", without a shred of evidence or a link or quote to back it up.
Because, of course, there is no proof because it's true.

But don't believe me and the others. Do a Google search for "patty smyth van halen", or go to the VHLinks and ask. You'll find plenty of proof.

From the VAN HALEN inside magazine/ from the VH store web page:
During a hunt for potential vocalists, Edward considers Phil Collins, Patty Smyth, Joe Cocker, and Pete Townshend for an all-star collaboration with the three remaining members of the band. Smyth backs out, concerned she couldn't handle working with three guys. Edward exchanges calls and telegrams with Townshend and learns that he wouldn't be available until November 1995. Edward doesn't want to wait and ultimately loses Townshend's phone number. The all-star record idea is scrapped in favor of a traditional, family-oriented unit that would continue beyond one recording.

From VH links / interview with MICHAEL ANTHONY:
The Inside: Before Sammy joined the band in 1985, there was a rumor that you guys were considering Eric Martin from Mr. Big. Is this true?

MA: Eric's name had come up, but nothing really happened. We even discussed others like Jimmy Barnes and some people thought Patti Smyth. A lot of this was just kicking around names but we weren't serious about it.


How's that?
This is what i remember from reading it in Rolling Stone back in around 86, when Sammy first joined the band. I didn't just pull it out of my ass!
I think that it's become a rock and roll fish story over the years, that she was actually asked to join VH.
BTW- I was slightly in error about Sass. The last interview I read with her stated that she jammed with the band , but was not asked ot join. Their loss, as that would;ve kicked ALL KINDS OF ASS!

[Pacfanweb]

From the VAN HALEN inside magazine/ from the VH store web page:
During a hunt for potential vocalists, Edward considers Phil Collins, Patty Smyth, Joe Cocker, and Pete Townshend for an all-star collaboration with the three remaining members of the band. Smyth backs out, concerned she couldn't handle working with three guys. Edward exchanges calls and telegrams with Townshend and learns that he wouldn't be available until November 1995. Edward doesn't want to wait and ultimately loses Townshend's phone number. The all-star record idea is scrapped in favor of a traditional, family-oriented unit that would continue beyond one recording.

From VH links / interview with MICHAEL ANTHONY:
The Inside: Before Sammy joined the band in 1985, there was a rumor that you guys were considering Eric Martin from Mr. Big. Is this true?

MA: Eric's name had come up, but nothing really happened. We even discussed others like Jimmy Barnes and some people thought Patti Smyth. A lot of this was just kicking around names but we weren't serious about it.
How's that?
This is what i remember from reading it in Rolling Stone back in around 86, when Sammy first joined the band. I didn't just pull it out of my ass!
I think that it's become a rock and roll fish story over the years, that she was actually asked to join VH.
BTW- I was slightly in error about Sass. The last interview I read with her stated that she jammed with the band , but was not asked ot join. Their loss, as that would;ve kicked ALL KINDS OF ASS!

So Patty Smyth was lying on VH1 when she told the story about being offered the job before Sammy? And the liner notes for the Patty Smyth/Scandal Greatest Hits are just a "rock and roll fish story"?
Not to mention, I've read Eddie Van Halen's own words, where he said he offered her the job.

I love Michael Anthony, but given his history with Eddie, do you think he had anything to do with who was singing in the band, EVER? So I'd take what he thought about the situation with a grain of salt. Mike might not have been "serious about it", with regards to Barnes and Smyth, but Eddie was. And Eddie is the one who chooses the singers. I'll take Patty Smyth's account of things over Mike's, since Mike wouldn't have been in on hiring a singer anyway. And no, she didn't misspeak on VH1....she outright said that she was offered the VH job before Sammy...then looked at the camera and said, "sorry Sammy, but you were the second choice". Any Google search you do turns up multiple links that all say Patty was offered the job first. They aren't all wrong, and one interview with the bass player correct.


With regards to Sass Jordan, not too long after Sammy was kicked out, he was interviewed and told the interviewer that his sources inside the VH camp were telling him about who was coming in and singing with the band. He said that Eddie told Sass that "if she didn't have tits, she'd be the next singer for Van Halen". Supposedly, Sammy wasn't even totally out at that point, but was on the way. I agree that would have been interesting. Probably better than Gary.

[Pacfanweb]

Did some looking on the Links:

It's true about getting Patty Smythe to join - Ed mentioned it in a 1986 issue of GW (the one with him holding the Ripley guitar on the front cover).

And a few replies later:

Tis true, also saw this interview re: Patty Smythe in the collector's issue of Guitar Legends with EVH.

So go find one of these mags (the one I have is the Legends mag) and there you'll see Eddie quoted as saying he offered Patty the job. And he didn't tell Alex, Mike, or management about it.

[X factor]

Did some looking on the Links:

It's true about getting Patty Smythe to join - Ed mentioned it in a 1986 issue of GW (the one with him holding the Ripley guitar on the front cover).

And a few replies later:

Tis true, also saw this interview re: Patty Smythe in the collector's issue of Guitar Legends with EVH.

So go find one of these mags (the one I have is the Legends mag) and there you'll see Eddie quoted as saying he offered Patty the job. And he didn't tell Alex, Mike, or management about it.

Ok ok...so I'll buy that this is the story NOW (despite the stuff I found to the contrary)...but I'm just saying- back in the day the story was that Patty was just asked to do a solo album for Eddie. Over the years that story has morphed into "Patt was offered VH vocalist gig"- Perhaps the initial stories were incorrect? Certainly looks that way - I'll give you credit for pulling out alot of evidence. But truly, that wasn't always the story as published ...