Sammy Hagar Needs YOU!

[Jeanette]

Hi people!
Just hoping to get some help for an old friend! Sammy Hagar has been rocking the airwaves for over 30 years now and it's time he got the recognition he deserves!!! My name is Jeanette and I am the Co-Founder of an online petition designed to recognize Sammy as the true icon of Rock history he has become.
It's "The Petition To Nominate Sammy Hagar For Induction Into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame In 2004"
Please take a moment to sign and register your comments at:

http://www.petitiononline.com/RROCKER/

Sign and Pass it On! Keep the drive alive!

Thanks!

Redspectfully Yours,
Jeanette Akers
Petetion Co-Founder

<NOTE: Sammy Hagar & The Waboritas are going to be touring this summer ...be sure to catch a show! Look for "The Sammy Petition" at an upcoming show near YOU! JA>

[Azrael]

And who gets the thousands of great unknown guitarrists in this Hall of Fame?

:rolleyes:

[Slow Diver]

I prefer David Lee Roth in this hall of fame than Sammy.

[Jeanette]

I believe the great unknowns have to get good agents and promoters and then a nice fan base and oh... say 25-30 years worth of material published...several dozen platinum, and gold records and a few Bammie &/or other awards would help too...but it all starts with RAW TALENT!
As far as DLR...I liked what he did with VH and also after. When VH comes up for induction, I'm betting it'll be with ALL the boys tho...Roth, Hagar & Cherone. They all had a great impact on the history of that band. And what a band it was....wonder if the Brothers will ever get their ducks in a row and cut some new licks again...they're sorely missed...the Redheads loved VH. JA

[Azrael]

And you think there are no unknowns with talent? even more than hagar and others (you name them)? and if he has all those awards, why would he need your help to get into a hall of fame?¿

[Azrael]

I dont mean that offensive.. but i jsut dont get the sense behind it.

[zepp_rules]

vote Randy Rhoads in 2005

[noticingthemistake]

Originally posted by Jeanette
I believe the great unknowns have to get good agents and promoters and then a nice fan base and oh... say 25-30 years worth of material published...several dozen platinum, and gold records and a few Bammie &/or other awards would help too...but it all starts with RAW TALENT!

Good Agents? Promoters? I guess being able to write good music doesn't count for SH*T. No offense to you or Hagar, but there are millions of better musicians (ARTISTS) out there that don't get credit because music means something more to them. It isn't something that a true artist takes for granted by issuing his music through promoters or agents, or to a sleazy record label that just trying to make a buck. Those “musicians” are only doing it for money, and fame. To me, it’s not about that and their music shows.

Why do you see more and more bands doing it themselves and getting record label recognizition??? Because people know that the music industry is BULLSH*T. Run by a bunch of Corporate Retards who don't know what good music is. Then when they find something they can sell, they leech off that person like they wrote the music too. About getting a Grammy, they can take there Grammy and shove it you know where. I would never sell myself short to get an award cause I know its corrupted and not based on any musical talent. Just look who got Grammy's this year.

To me, music is personal. Just in case your wondering why I feel this way. I write my music for me, I don't write a song just so I can sell a few million copies or make money from it. Any decent musician could write an entire cd with commercial songs, that's not an artist that's a sellout. I will live much prouder as a musician knowing that I wrote music that was true to me, not for fame, money, awards, or anyone else.

If you don't think I know what I'm talking about, my cousin's boyfriend which I was very close too was a Talent scout for Atlantic records. He would even tell me that he would come accost bands that he really liked, but they would never pass the decision by the executives because they weren't sellable. Based on looks or if that music was in vogue at the time. Raw talent, my arse!!!

Here’s what you need to be famous: A good stylist, The idiot Guide to lip sinking, A friend in the industry, and a few commercial songs that sound like every other song on the radio at the time, and a good producer to write the rest of your songs if not all of them. Those all have to do with talent, huh??? PLEASE

No offense to Sammy, and you necessarily but you did say something things that ticked me off. Those are in the Quote. Piece Out!!!!

[Dr_simon]

Man, I don’t mean to be offensive but I’m with noticingthemistake all the way !!!!

As far as the music industry is concerned, it can shove it, beans (counted and uncounted) where the sun don't shine.

[Lordathestrings]

...Oh, and BTW... Welcome to Guitar Tricks Jeanette. As you may have noticed, our members are encouraged to express themselves. Although it's unusual for a new arrival to need asbestos knickers first time out! :eek:

[Dr_simon]

Oh yes, and wellcome to Guitar tricks (blushes !)!

[noticingthemistake]

Thanx Simon.

Jeanette, I didn't mean to give you such a hard time. But honestly, I still stand by my post. I dont think music is about promoters and agents, it about the music. Today's music industry isn't about that, it's based on who you are (who you know) and if your marketable. Raw Talent is probably last on the list, just look at the stars of today. Most don't write there own songs, if they do it's either a remixed version of an older song or they have choosen to write in natural keys. Gmajor, A major, F minor, so on. Really almost 95% of popular music (US culture) follows the same strict recipe for a hit. To me thats not true art, its conventional art.

I'm not targeting this at you or Sammy. Sammy is a good musician, I'm not saying he isnt. I just didn't like the fact that you supposed that the unknown artists didn't have Raw talent. Like those are below someone who is a famous musician. Plus the fact that they need promoters or agents to be someone, cause that doesn't have anything to do with music. Unfortunately the music industry thinks differently and they won't take you seriously unless you have a promoter or agent. Regardless of how good you are.

But anyways, welcome to Guitar tricks! :D

[mc9mm]

Welcome to guitartricks!

"...I cant drive.. ..55!!"
Hell yeah!
Sammy Hagar is a nice guy and all, but I
do think there are people that deserves
a place in the hall of fame more than he does.
But thats just my opinion.

I dont really know if Randy Rhoads should be
in the HOF or not. Maybe in the Guitar Hall of fame.
Dont get me wrong, I'm a big fan of his, buts lets admit it,
he's not exactly The Stones.

And regarding the argument "well there are 1000's of unknown
guitarists that deserve recognition", well thats just absurd.
Its called Hall of Fame isnt it?
I dont really see myself in the hall of fame since
I'm not famous, and that should be a basic criteria,
dont you think?


[Edited by mc9mm on 03-05-2003 at 01:03 PM]

[Azrael]

The point of it is, that those who receive least deserve it the most. Those 1000´ds of unknown musicians deserve the Fame itself aswell - even more than some of those who have it already. its a funny, yet sad thing that the least talented always get the most recognition.

[mc9mm]

The fame maybe, but not the Hall of fame, and thats
what this discussion is about.
Man this certainly stirred up some emotions,
14 posts in like 23 seconds! Thats gotta be a world record.

edit: ok so when I took a closer look it was
more like 23 hours. hmmm...
Maybe I need some sleep.

[Edited by mc9mm on 03-05-2003 at 01:43 PM]

[noticingthemistake]

Originally posted by mc9mm
And regarding the argument "well there are 1000's of unknown
guitarists that deserve recognition", well thats just absurd.
Its called Hall of Fame isnt it?
I dont really see myself in the hall of fame since
I'm not famous, and that should be a basic criteria,
dont you think?


I never said they did belong in the hall of fame. I said it's screwed up how musicians get where they are by means other than their music. Like promoters and agents, maybe they should get an award too if there client becomes famous. Truth is alot of music in popular culture is manufactured either corporately and/or conventionally. The fact that they get recognition when there are others who deserve it more (cause they are truely original artists or just more talented) don't. Sorry but I think how the music indrusty is run is bullsh*t.

Again, Jeanette, I wasn't personally directing anything at you, its just what you said that provoked me to write that post. You exclaimed "RAW TALENT" in your first reply to Azreal, sorry I thought there was more to that. There are millions of artists who don't get the what they deserve based on things other than their talent.

No offense to Sammy, but why does he need a petition to get into the HOF??? Is it the fact that he thinks he deserves it when he hasn't gotten it. The fact that it may take take another 10-15 yrs is a good idea, the HOF shouldn't be something taken lightly or bought with a petition. It's an honor based on music accomplishment, right?? Not how many fans, or if your promoter/agent can push you in the door.

In my opinion, Sammy is a rock icon and deserves respect for what he has accomplished. But worthy of HOF status? Not yet, he still has some stuff to prove. Although I think he might get there with Van Halen (along with Roth), which undoubtive deserves HOF status.

[Jeanette]

....does this mean you think that someone without any talent deserves to get fame and recognition? I mean if I go and stand in front of a hall full of people and all I can do is play an open D (and badly) and I sing off key...you think THIS is on the same playing field as say someone who knows all his chops and has a vocal range that kicks ass? When I said RAW talent... I never said unknowns weren't talented....but if you look at it...ALL the KNOWNS were once UNKNOWNS. It all depends on what you WANT to do with it. Play to please yourself? Great! Play to please others...that's great too! But play to make money....and 'be somebody'...that's egotistical and greedy. A sell out. Too bad (you do have a point) that today's music is all about just that. People being 'made' to fit a mold that sells.... It galls me too. As far as Sammy is concerned tho...I believe the man has paid his dues...he was a nobody once...but because he had talent...a real gift for bringing forth the music...and giving it all to the people from his heart and soul...no holds barred...and that he got lucky to have had good backing...promoters/agents/etc.,....it went a LONG way towards getting him where he finally is today. A true musician in every sense of the word. That's the only reason I decided to post the link on a board like this....I knew there would be others of like mind...true musicians...who could help out with this cause....if I do say so myself...I still believe this is the right place.
;-) Long Live Rock...... JA

[chris mood]

Van Halen will definetly end up in the hall of fame, There influence on rock music was/is tremendous. However, their albums which influenced and changed the direction of modern rock music were not the ones Sammy sung on.

[noticingthemistake]

Originally posted by Jeanette
....does this mean you think that someone without any talent deserves to get fame and recognition? I mean if I go and stand in front of a hall full of people and all I can do is play an open D (and badly) and I sing off key...you think THIS is on the same playing field as say someone who knows all his chops and has a vocal range that kicks ass?

Absolutely not. Although I said it in terms of the “hall of fame”, fame and recognition is something that shouldn’t be given lightly. What I am opposed to is the fact that some musicians get where they are based on things other than “talent”. Such as looks or who they know which you can point out to many acts today. I won’t use direct names because maybe it’s my opinion and I don’t want another debate on which band is better, blah, blah. I'm completely with you on that.

If someone tried playing guitar, in a public place, with no sense of musicianship and couldn’t sing in pitch. Well that person is probably going to get stoned to death, along with anyone who would say he/she should be famous. Probably not that extreme but I like to be graphical. :D

I should probably learn to be more clear if you thought I can see someone off the street on the same level as Hagar or any other famous musician. Haha.

On the other hand what I am disconcerted about mostly, and I think Azreal agrees but I won’t speak for him. It’s the fact that there are many other musicians with an extreme amount of talent that don’t get recognition because of things that are not based on musicianship and talent. It’s sad for the biggest reason, music is a corporate product. If your not marketable, your not going anywhere according to the music industry. I’m sure Sammy can relate to this and no offense to him, but the world didn’t pay much attention to him until he joined Van Halen. Yeah, he was a somewhat successful artist who had some radio songs and music videos but he was just another singer of a rock band. Then, “Sammy Hagar, the new front man for Van Halen”. Now all of a sudden, he’s a top rank singer of a major band. He is still the same musician before and after, but it was a him joining Van Halen that got him to the pinnacle of fame and recognition. So it doesn’t have to do with music talent or ability, its who you know...

My point with that is Sammy is talented and a good musician, and the amazing thing I have to give him credit for. Is the fact when he joined Van Halen, he did do a good job. A lot better than I think he gets credit for or people expected. Not many people can be successful when replacing the original front man of a major band, especially Roth. Most of it is chemistry but it does take skill. Plus the fact that he continued his career successfully after Van Halen. :)

To me, music is actually a gift from the musician to the listener. It’s value is not labeled in fame, popularity, or money. Music is just a way for someone to give a piece of themselves to someone else through sound. The true power is the ability to make the listener feel exactly what you feel. It’s like mind control, if you hear a love song, you naturally tend to think of someone you love. I must say a lot of popular music today is so conventionally dried out that these impressions are molded out or just weaker. Because songs written now are commercial and there’s no true feeling in it. Like a rock song, a commercial way to write one is use the chord progression C, G, F. Almost every rock song contains this chord progression or a transposed version of it. Point is, it works but if you don’t understand why you play those notes: your not really playing them. What I mean is if you don’t feel the notes you play, the listener can't feel the notes you play. Simply, you can’t give a gift you don’t have. Unfortunately a lot of music today follows the commercial end rather than a true gift of artistic expression. Which makes it sound unauthentic because it’s just a product forged by semificial impression.

Originally posted by Jeanette
Play to please yourself? Great! Play to please others...that's great too! But play to make money....and 'be somebody'...that's egotistical and greedy. A sell out.

I think you should always play to please yourself first. If your not pleased by it, no one else will be either. Simple rule. If you are pleased with it and you can feel your music then you know it’s authentic. If their doing it for money or to be someone, you can always tell cause theirs no heart in it. Sad though cause this is less important now than it once was.

[THE_HACK_PACK]

No way Gary Cherone gets in the Hall,he'll be lucky to make it in to the lobby.

[Jeanette]

I just got this in my email today...seems like Sammy feels for the 'Unknowns' alot more than we knew! You talk about breaks...this guy is getting one...and yes...again...it is 'who you know' that will make or break you these days (sadly)...but this is exactly the kinda thing that I feel established artists SHOULD be doing to help newcomers out in this crazy industry...it's all give & take...read on...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SAMMY HAGAR Gives Indie Artist HUTCH A Break!
Rock legend Sammy Hagar (Van Halen, Montrose) and HUTCH singer Joe Hutchinson have co-written a song tentatively titled "Not 4 Sale" which will appear on Hagar's Autumn release this year.

Sammy discovered HUTCH's music while watching the Food Network's FOOD NATION series with Chef Bobby Flay. "I heard his song, 'All The Money In The World'... I loved that line, 'All the money in the world.'" (listen here: http://www.hutchworks.net )

"It stuck in my head and I wrote a song basically with that concept. I thought it was only right to call Joe and let him know he inspired me and to offer him half of my song for the inspiration. I'm all for helping new artist's any way I can."

Joe Hutchinson is flattered by the nod from Hagar. He explains "Most of us are borrowing from the Beatles and other giants, so when an artist of Sammy's stature borrows from an unknown like me, it adds a great level of legitimacy to what I'm doing as a songwriter."

HUTCH's song "All The Money In The World" can be heard on their Smile Records release "Turn It Around" in stores and online at: http://www.hutchworks.net

CONTACT: Steve Levesque /LUCK MEDIA (310)860-9170
Or HUTCH at: (323)856-8946 hutchworks@yahoo.com
HUTCH's song "All The Money In The World" can be heard on their Smile Records release "Turn It Around" in stores and online at: http://www.hutchworks.net

[kingdavid]

Originally posted by Jeanette
....does this mean you think that someone without any talent deserves to get fame and recognition?...
No,a person without any talent doesn't deserve to get fame and recognition.
But an unhealthy load of them do end up doing just that.
And it's mostly the work of that whole promotion thing;it's effect is that the promoter's talent is of much more impact than the talent of the artist being promoted.

...Play to please yourself? Great! Play to please others...that's great too! But play to make money....and 'be somebody'...that's egotistical and greedy...
Here I tend to disagree.Maybe it's coz I've become a sellout before I even become a musician,forget about selling out.I mean,you need to have done something before changing and thus becoming a sellout,right?
Now,I play to please myself.When I play stairway to heaven,I feel good.And when my buddies are impressed,I still feel good.
Playing to "be somebody";that's a bit complicated.Because if "being somebody" means doing something that gives you a sense of achievement,fulfillment,blah blah blah,then writing good music can give you that feeling.If you do the things you do in life for the need feel a sense of "achievement",then everything you do,including making your music is all geared towards that.
Can anybody who knows what I'm trying to say say it for me in a clearer way?:)
About making money.
You can create good music that makes you some money without compromising your artistic pursuits.I wouldn't mess with the artist in me(as if there's one :))just to make a buck.But if the artist happens to come up with something that people don't mind paying a dollar or two to get,I don't mind.:D
I look at it this way.The industry is the infrastructure that enables(or should enable) artists to get their uncompromised works of art to the masses.Nobody is going to manufacture CD's for free.Or let you use their venues to have a concert for free.So money ends up exchanging hands.
But don't get me wrong(and isn't this a sign that I actually am wrong?).I agree with you almost entirely.We are going the same way,generally speaking.

[Jeanette]

I'm with you. I appreciate everyone's input on this. You people are really intelligent and on the ball. I sure hope by coming here with this that no one feels I have stepped on anyone's toes...if so...I'll mosey along...and I probably should...since I'm not a good guitarist....only know my open chords...and no tricks (hey, at least I'm honest...right?)...but I just wanted to thank you for your input on this...and thanks to any and all who signed the petition! I wish you ALL the best of luck and much peace. Be Well People....Rock On! JA

[mc9mm]

You have'nt stepped on any toes.. ..I think.
I think this is an interesting discussion, I must say.
No need for you to go so soon, there is still alot
to explore here at Guitartricks!

[Lordathestrings]

Originally posted by Jeanette
...I'll mosey along...and I probably should...since I'm not a good guitarist....LOL. If you had to be a 'good' guitar player before you could join this site, we'd have a lot fewer members! :eek: I'm not even sure if I would qualify.

The whole point of this place is to help people improve their playing. And to exchange ideas and opinions, like on this thread.

Please, make yourself at home. :) You're welcome here, and as this thread has shown, your opinions are valued.

[Jeanette]

I'll stick aroung ...may not post too much,...but I'll read up on all your tricks and see if I can get my calluses on my fingertips to come back...LOL! I really haven't played what little I do know for a really long time...I have a form of arthritis called 'mixed connective tissue disorder' and it makes my hands hurt if I over-use them...so long practices are a thing of the past for me...but I can still 'noodle around' a bit! (As EVH would say!) Here's to happy 'noodeling'
I have a very good friend who's a guitarist...a good one too...he has Multiple Sclerosis and his guitar is the only thing that's keeping up his drive to keep moving. Without that, I'm sure he'd have been in a convalescent hospital somewhere being spoonfed a long time ago. Music certainly is a wonderful and powerful force. JA

[Dr_simon]

Glad you have decided to stick arround !

[Lordathestrings]

These days I play to amuse myself. Annoying the neighbors is a bonus. I'm paying the price for my younger days as a canoeist, gymnast, and wrestler, in the form of bursitis in both shoulders. It makes for some very soulful tone in my Blues. My main axe weighs about 10 pounds. The pain I express is real. "Behind Blue Eyes" indeed.

The best revenge is to live well. :D

[kingdavid]

Originally posted by Lordathestrings
...Annoying the neighbors is a bonus...
It figures.

[noticingthemistake]

Originally posted by Jeanette
I sure hope by coming here with this that no one feels I have stepped on anyone's toes...

I've been away for sometime so I haven't written much lately. If this reply had an relevance to me, Jeanette you didn't step on my toes at all. I just had alot to express on the topic, but like everyone else. I enjoyed having you here and I hope you continue to visit.

[Jeanette]

Thanks!!! ;) JA

(Note: Sammy will be playing in No Calif on May 4th....cuatro de mayo...lol!...I'll be there to gather names for the petition...Y&T and Greg Rollie band are going to be there too.)