SAMMY HAGAR: 'The Record Business Is Kind Of Done'

VH1 Classic's syndicated radio show "On Tap With Nik Carter" (web site) conducted an interview with legendary rocker Sammy Hagar (VAN HALEN, CHICKENFOOT) at last week's Classic Rock Roll Of Honour event in Hollywood. You can now watch the chat below.

Asked to clarify the recent comments he made to Rolling Stone magazine where he was quoted as saying that he thinks CHICKENFOOT is finished making albums, Hagar said: "It's not that [CHICKENFOOT has] run its course, it's just that I'm not sure… in everyone's schedule that we can put aside a year and make a record, make some videos and go out and do a world tour, like what we would have to do. The recording side of it is what's tough; that takes so much time and finances. And if the record business for a band like that, if we could sell a million records, we'd probably say, 'Okay, at least we can pay for the record.' But when you spend half a million dollars on a record and it sells a a hundred and twenty-five thousand copies, I'm sorry, that's 'pay to play."

He continued: "In my life, everything I do now, I'm looking at [it like], this could be my last year of this. I don't know how much longer I can really do that hard grind. I love to go out on tour, but I can't do a hundred shows a year. I would probably have to retire if I did, if I tried to do that. So I'm trying to pick and choose everything I do and make it more special for me. What I wanna do. [What] makes me happy. And it ain't just about work. I'm not interested in making more money. It's about just making myself happy. And CHICKENFOOT would really make me happy, except for the damn workload and the success of it. It's just that the record business is kind of done. I mean, I'm sorry to say that. It's sad."

CHICKENFOOT, which also included ex-VAN HALEN bassist Michael Anthony, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS drummer Chad Smith and guitar hero Joe Satriani, has not made a CD in three years.

CHICKENFOOT reissued its gold-selling 2009 self-titled debut as a double-disc set. The new version features bonus live tracks recorded on the group's tour behind its sophomore studio effort, "III"

CHICKENFOOT's most recent touring lineup included legendary drummer/musician Kenny Aronoff, who was filling in for Smith while Chad was on the road with RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS.

"III" sold 42,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 9 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's self-titled debut opened with 49,000 units back in June 2009 to debut at No. 6.

Hagar's current band, THE CIRCLE, consists of the legendary rocker alongside Anthony, drummer Jason Bonham and Vic Johnson. The group plays songs from all eras of its members' lives, including tracks from VAN HALEN and LED ZEPPELIN.