SAMMY HAGAR's 'Red: My Uncensored Life In Rock' Paperback To Include Brand New Chapter

On September 14, Glen Casebeer of the American Rock Scene conducted an interview with Sammy Hagar (CHICKENFOOT, VAN HALEN) prior to the legendary rocker's concert in Tacoma, Washington. You can now listen to the chat below.

Hagar's autobiography, "Red: My Uncensored Life In Rock", debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times nonfiction hardcover best sellers list, appearing on the chart dated April 3, 2011. Hagar promoted the book's publication with major press interviews in New York City, as well as a two-week signing tour on both the East and West Coasts. The former VAN HALEN vocalist has been making news thanks to the book's outspoken commentary on both Eddie Van Halen and original VH frontman David Lee Roth, as well as Hagar's claims that he's met with alien beings.

"I just finished another chapter for it, because it's coming out in paperback and I didn't wanna just release the same book again," Hagar told the American Rock Scene. "And since that book came out and it went No. 1, it did a lot it really changed things within me and with people around me. And some of my closer friends kind of had a weird response to the book and some people that I really didn't know people that were almost, like I don't wanna say 'enemies,' but people in the industry that maybe didn't respect me or give me any love or the time of day over the years came in and said, 'Wow, I had no idea. Man, I have a whole different opinion of you.' So I wrote a new chapter about that; I just did it yesterday and it will be in the paperback [version of the book]. [It's] just about how being a rock star my whole life and then having a No. 1-selling book had a profound influence on my stature, as a human on this planet. . . There's only been two rock books, I guess, in history Keith Richards and myself that went to No. 1, so it got a lot of people's attention. I get a lot of phone calls through my agency or through my management, 'What do you wanna do next? We wanna be involved?' [Laughs] I used to go around knocking on doors. 'Hey, I wanna do this.' Now it's like, 'Hey, you wanna make a movie?', 'Hey, you wanna be in a TV show?' 'You wanna do this? 'You wanna do that?' It's interesting."

"Red: My Uncensored Life In Rock" was released on March 15 via It Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

Hagar provides readers with incredible behind-the-scenes stories from his multi-platinum career, including his rise as a solo artist and his eleven years with VAN HALEN, after the controversial departure of original lead vocalist David Lee Roth. During Hagar's time with VAN HALEN, the band released four consecutive No. 1 albums. From worldwide stadium concerts tours to private jets, Hagar enjoyed the trappings of fame and success with VAN HALEN until he was, as he puts it, "unceremoniously fired." Hagar later thrived as a solo act, leading his band, the CABO WABOS, before returning triumphantly to VAN HALEN for an historic reunion tour after which he set off on his own once again.

Honest and compelling, Hagar's account spares no one, least of all himself. Hagar's autobiography reveals the inside story of one of rock music's most recognizable voices, from his humble beginnings in the town of Fontana, California, to his incredible business success with Cabo Wabo Tequila and the Cabo Wabo Cantinas. The book was co-authored by Joel Selvin, longtime pop music writer for the San Francisco Chronicle.

Interview (audio)