Sammy Hagar

King of Coliseum Rock

Sammy Hagar is the master of coliseum rock He proved it at Texxas Jam II. He'll prove i again at Texxas Jam V, June 19th. Hagar cal do serious damage to any football stadium in the continental United States.

"I play monster rock," said Hagar. It's the onl thing that works at these kind of festivals. Certait bands really die on these festivals, you know?'

But what is festival music? Hagar elaborated "Festival music is just what it sounds like---party down time. Festival music needs pizan anc spontaneity. You have to jam to whatever it get ting people off. And my band---WE JAM."

What about 'The Nuge.'

"Ted Nugent is the only person who's any competition. I've got a better band and better songs, but Ted performs. His music isn't real fas and doesn't kick ass right because his band isn' very good, but I gotta give the man his du( because he's good in the flesh and is also pro babiy the only guy I know that could keep ur with me physically for a long period. That man i! in superb physical condition."

"He's the only rock and roller who I wouldn' want to get into a fight with because it would pro bably go the distance."

"Not only that, but he packs a rod," I injerject.

"I can use a gun, too," said Hagar, obviously not taken aback, "but I don't think it would come down to that."

Hagar's talk of physical fitness is not just the idle chatter of a heavy metal hero. He exercises avoids drugs and doesn't hit the sauce. He's e long distance runner, used to box and even run an occasional marathon.

"I know I'm fit," said Hagar, beaming with enough health showing pose for one of those athletic breakfast cereal ads.

Hagar's father was Golden Gloves champ and professional boxer Robert Hagar (fight name: Bobby Bums), who was only one fight away from being champion of the world in the bantam weight division. "He got suspended and joined the army in World War II, which kind of ruined his career," said Hagar.

"He got suspended for attacking a referee. He beat him up because he thought he was cheating."

I asked Sammy if he ever made a habit of beating up kids in grade school and taking their lunch money. "Haw!" he laughed. "I was never really that kind of guy. I was always a real little guy, but I was always THE BADDEST LITTLE GUY IN THE WHOLE TOWN. I could kick ass with anybody who was anywhere near my size."