“I wanted to write a Montrose album, and he wanted to write an album more like the Eagles – and I hate the Eagles”: Stevie Salas on being asked to join David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar’s bands – and why he turned them down

A comped image of David Lee Roth, Stevie Salas playing guitar live, and Sammy Hagar screaming into the mic with Van Halen.

When Stevie Salas calls time on his career, he will not want for high-profile credits. He has played with Rod Stewart, made records with Bootsy Collins and Buddy Miles, guested on records by Michael Hutchence, Glenn Hughes and the Jeff Healey band – and he has had a successful solo career, and worked as musical director and consultant on American Idol.

When we consider all this in sum, we might be able to understand why Salas turned down not one, but two former Van Halen frontmen when they came calling.