The eternal battle for Van Halen‘s soul just got another chapter in its well-worn playbook. KISS legend Gene Simmons has planted his flag firmly in Camp Roth, declaring David Lee Roth the undisputed champion of rock frontmen while effectively leaving Sammy Hagar waiting in the green room of his estimation.
“David Lee Roth, in his prime, was the super frontman of all time,” Simmons proclaimed with characteristic subtlety. “There was nobody—and I mean nobody, in any form of music—who ever stepped up on that stage and took being a frontman to the heights that he did.”
What makes Simmons’ endorsement particularly spicy is his acknowledgment that Van Halen achieved greater commercial success during the Hagar years.
Van Halen with Hagar sold more records, but Roth sold more tickets to the theater of rock excess.
The Lingering Shadow of the “Sam and Dave” Tour
If you’re wondering why this rivalry still has enough juice to power a stadium show, look no further than the infamous 2002 tour that paired both vocalists.
Rock’s Greatest Frontman debates don’t come without drama, and according to Hagar, Roth leaned into it hard—allegedly faking mechanical issues with his tour bus to dodge opening duties. That left Hagar taking the stage night after night, despite an agreement to alternate. It’s the kind of rock and roll pettiness that would make Spinal Tap blush.
While Hagar prepares to launch his “Best of All Worlds” Las Vegas residency, Simmons’ decisive preference for Diamond Dave feels like both a recognition of rock history and a subtle commentary on authenticity versus accessibility.
The original lineup’s raw energy represented rock’s dangerous edge, while Hagar’s era delivered radio-friendly hits that your mom could enjoy without clutching her pearls.
For fans who’ve spent decades defending their preferred Van Halen incarnation (internal link to your opinion piece or fan debate article), Simmons’ declaration is either vindication or heresy.
As the debate rages on, one thing remains clear: few bands have managed to thrive with two completely different frontmen, each creating their legitimate legacy. That’s the true Van Halen miracle—creating enough brilliant music to keep us arguing about it years later.
