10 Greatest Classic Rock Singers Of The '80s
6. Sammy Hagar - Van Halen
It's never really easy to replace an icon. For as much musical talent that you may think you possess, the odds are stacked against you when you attempt to fill the role of someone that resonated with millions of fans. Sammy Hagar ended up in that un-enviable position when replacing David Lee Roth in Van Halen, but the power he put into his new gig revitalized one of the greatest bands of the '80s.
That's not to say that Roth wasn't talented to begin with, what with his harsh screams and party animal swagger that put the audience in the palm of his hand. However, Hagar's approach felt a lot more organic in the band, making him feel like a relatable person throwing a musical celebration. Though Hagar's approach was far from the bluesy badassery that Roth did so well, the beautiful tone behind his voice gave him the ability to sing both a hard rock belter and a pop song in equal measure.
Say what you want to about Hagar killing Van Halen, but there was no way you could get David Lee Roth to sing a song like "Dreams" or "Why Can't This Be Love." Van Halen fans may still be split down the middle between Roth and Hagar, but given Sammy's fun-filled delivery, can't we be happy with both?