Sammy Hagar has never been shy about celebrating his Van Halen legacy, and in a new interview, the Red Rocker revealed that one classic track from the band’s catalog has managed to retain all its power and magic even decades later, thanks in part to the unmistakable voice of his longtime bandmate and friend, Michael Anthony.
Speaking about their ongoing performances with The Circle and The Best of All Worlds tour, Hagar said that hearing Anthony take over lead vocals on the Van Halen staple “Ain’t Talkin’ ’Bout Love” gives him chills every night.
“That song sounds as good as it sounded for 20 years,” Hagar said. “Mike nails it. His voice, his energy, he’s the spirit of Van Halen. Every time he sings it, it’s like we’re back in 1988.”
While Hagar originally fronted Van Halen from 1985 to 1996 (and briefly in 2004), “Ain’t Talkin’ ’Bout Love” hails from the band’s 1978 debut album, the David Lee Roth era. But Hagar has never shied away from honoring that side of the group’s history, often performing early-era tracks with a mix of respect and fresh energy.
“I’ve got no problem singing Dave’s stuff,” Hagar added. “But sometimes, when Mike takes the lead, it just feels right. He’s got that high harmony and that same kind of fire. The fans love it, and so do I.”
Anthony’s vocals have long been a defining part of the Van Halen sound. His soaring harmonies, often layered above Eddie and Sammy’s lead parts, became a crucial ingredient in the band’s stadium-ready choruses. In recent years, fans have been thrilled to hear him take center stage again, giving new life to classic tracks like “Panama,” “Unchained,” and “Ain’t Talkin’ ’Bout Love.”
Hagar reflected on how their performances have become more than just nostalgia.
“We’re not trying to replace anything, we’re celebrating it,” he said. “Van Halen’s music deserves to live on, and Mike and I are making sure it does, the right way.”
The singer also hinted that the chemistry between him, Anthony, guitarist Joe Satriani, and drummer Jason Bonham has reignited his passion for live shows.
“It feels like the best of both worlds, literally,” Hagar laughed. “We’re playing these songs the way they should be played, with love, respect, and a whole lot of volume.”
As The Best of All Worlds Tour continues to pack arenas across North America, fans are getting a rare treat, not just a trip down memory lane, but a living, breathing celebration of Van Halen’s legacy, carried by two of its most loyal torchbearers.
And if you ask Sammy, there’s nothing “talkin’ ’bout love” can’t fix, especially when Michael Anthony’s the one singing it.
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