Sammy Hagar has hit out at Alex Van Halen skipping the “Van Hagar” era of Van Halen in the latter’s recent memoir, Brothers.
- READ MORE: Eddie Van Halen, 1955 – 2020: a colossus who turned guitar solos into a firework display
Released in October, Brothers chronicles the famed Californian band’s first 12 years, ending before the departure of vocalist David Lee Roth. The memoir also omits Hagar’s time with the band, the temporary line-up with Gary Cherone and their eventual reunion with Roth.
Hagar, who fronted Van Halen twice – between 1985 and 1996 and again from 2003 to 2005, took to social media to share his thoughts on Brothers, and why he thinks his omission from the memoir is “blasphemy”.
Earlier this week, Hagar took to Instagram to post a photo from 1991 of himself with Eddie Van Halen. Responding to a fan who commented that “most purists believe [Van Halen] ended with [David Lee Roth]”, Hagar wrote: “It could have [ended], my friend, but instead we went on to sell over 50 million records for [a] No. 1 album [then] sold out every building and stadium in the world for a whole decade. That never happened again.”
Hagar went on to continue: “Alex is not doing his brother’s musical legacy justice by not acknowledging all the No. 1 albums and some great music Eddie and I wrote together — not Alex — but Eddie and I wrote together. To not acknowledge [those] 10 years of music is blasphemy to his brother’s musicianship, songwriting and legacy.”
Hagar’s comments come after he revealed in an interview with Rolling Stone in November that he would like to one day make amends with Alex Van Halen. He told the publication: “It’s on my bucket list that I will not take this to my grave, and I don’t want Al taking it to his grave… I understand he probably couldn’t have done the whole era in one book. It would’ve been the Bible, the dictionary, so maybe he’s got plans for a Volume 2. Who knows?”
He continued: “I want to be friends, though. I don’t want to play in a band with Al. I’m not asking for that. I can see that he’s not capable of doing that. If he was, I’d be happy to play with him, but it’s not what I’m looking for. I just want to friends again.”
In recent news, Sammy Hagar in November announced a Las Vegas residency after $1million of his and Guy Fieri’s tequila was hijacked in a heist. The residency will feature his ‘Best Of Both Worlds’ band, which is comprised of guitarist Joe Satriani, bassist Michael Anthony, and drummer Kenny Aronoff.
The string of dates is made up of nine nights at the Dolby Live at Park MGM. The musician will take over the venue on April 30, 2025 followed by May 2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 14, 16, and 17. Visit here for tickets.
