Wolfgang Van Halen recently spoke about some of the negative reaction that he faced when he took over for Michael Anthony in Van Halen when they reunited with David Lee Roth.
The multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and son of guitar legend Eddie Van Halen spoke with Spin about his brand new solo album released under the name Mammoth WVH.
During the chat he was asked about the negativity that he faced when he joined Van Halen for their reunion tour with Roth and explained that part of his reason for joining was to help his father who was dealing with issues at the time.
He said, ""Looking cynically on paper, as a kid replacing a longtime member, it's like...yeah, you should hate me. It's a lot more nuanced than that.
"It's not like my dad was like, 'F*** you, get out of here.' My dad wasn't going through a good time, and Mike was having a good time playing with [former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar].
"Sam wasn't in the band. Sure, it's a little dicey and complicated, but he really wasn't a part of it anymore. I completely understand that he wouldn't want to be around my dad when he was like that.
"It was never like I went to my dad and said [in a cagey movie villain voice] 'I should be playing bass.' At that point, I just wanted to keep my dad alive."
Sammy Hagar Going Vegas With Sammy's Island At The Palms
Wolfgang Van Halen Takes High Road Over David Lee Roth Attack
Wolfgang Van Halen Forced To Change Mammoth WVH Tour Dates
Sammy Hagar And Michael Anthony Look Back At Van Halen's 'For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge'
Travel News, Trips and Tips: Road Trip Essentials
Hot In The City: Carin Leon Will Open For The Rolling Stones in Arizona
Caught In The Act: Ministry Rocks Chicago
Motley Crue Add Fourth Show For 2024
Twenty One Pilots Announce The Clancy World Tour and Share New Video
Slayer's Kerry King Leads Additions To Download Festival
Creed Going Vinyl With Greatest Hits
Gary Clark Jr. Expands North American Tour
Godsmack's AWAKE Remastered For Double Vinyl Release
Willie Nelson's 4th Of July Picnic To Rock Philadelphia For The First Time
Peter Gabriel's Back to Front - Live in London Getting 4K Release