Rock legend Sammy Hagar, the singer who fronted Van Halen through its hugely successful “Van Hagar” era in the 1980s and early 1990s, has publicly expressed disappointment at being left out of a new archival Van Halen project that appears to be moving closer to release.
That project, which drummer Alex Van Halen is driving forward, seeks to complete unreleased material featuring tracks laid down by the late Eddie Van Halen before his passing in 2020. Alex has enlisted veteran guitarist Steve Lukather to help finish the music, and bass parts reportedly include contributions by Eddie’s son, Wolfgang Van Halen.
‘We Haven’t Been Asked’ Hagar’s Reaction
In a recent appearance on the radio show Rock of Nations, Hagar confirmed neither he nor longtime Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony were approached to participate in the project. “No. We haven’t been asked,” Hagar said, underlining his surprise and frustration at the exclusion.
Hagar elaborated on the band’s creative process from their heyday, explaining that Van Halen would jam for hours in the studio and record everything, then shape songs out of those extended sessions. He suggested that there is a wealth of material from those sessions that Alex could include, if he wanted to.
Disappointment And Perspective
The singer didn’t hide the emotional weight of the situation:
“I’m disappointed that Mike and I wouldn’t be invited. It’s, like, what? Are you kidding me? We’re still alive. We’re out here doing it, we’re playing those songs. We can still do it, you know?”
Despite the disappointment, Hagar also clarified that he understands Alex has the right to shape the project as he sees fit. From his perspective, the current work in the studio feels more like an Alex Van Halen endeavor than a full Van Halen band reunion.
Anthony, meanwhile, has taken a more open stance, saying he’d be willing to contribute if invited and that finishing the material as an instrumental tribute to Eddie could be a fitting approach.
Open To Future Collaboration
Despite the current snub, Hagar hasn’t slammed the door shut. In other recent comments, he’s indicated he’d be open to finishing unreleased Van Halen songs if actually contacted, even floating the idea of collaborating with former singer David Lee Roth on vocals, something he described as a “dream come true” for fans.
Van Halen’s Legacy And The Buzz Ahead Of The New Release
Even with Eddie gone and the classic lineup fractured, Van Halen continues to generate intense interest. Rumors of a finalized or near-final record, built from Eddie’s unreleased work, have sparked excitement among fans, and the band’s influence remains strong across generations.
Meanwhile, Alex Van Halen’s recruitment of Steve Lukather, a musician with deep experience in studio production, suggests the album’s completion is being taken seriously and could soon reach fans.
What This Means For The Band’s Past And Future
For many rock fans, Hagar’s absence from this project highlights enduring debates over how Van Halen’s history is framed. The Hagar era produced four consecutive No. 1 albums and remains beloved to many listeners, but its place in the band’s narrative has sometimes been overshadowed by the original David Lee Roth years and the ongoing stewardship of the Van Halen legacy by Eddie’s family.
Where Things Stand Now
- New project: In development by Alex Van Halen with Steve Lukather.
- Hagar & Anthony: Not currently invited but open to participating.
- Fan interest: High, with speculation over how the album will honor Eddie’s legacy.
- Legacy discussion: The situation has reignited conversation about the band’s varied eras and who gets represented in Van Halen’s ongoing story.
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