More than five years after the passing of guitar legend Eddie Van Halen, conversations about unreleased music he left behind continue to capture the imagination of rock fans. Now former Sammy Hagar says he would be open to helping bring some of those unfinished recordings to life, if he received the call.
Hagar, who fronted Van Halen from 1985 to 1996 and again briefly in 2003–2005, recently addressed the idea of completing unfinished material written by the late guitarist. According to the singer, he would gladly participate in a project aimed at finishing and releasing tracks Eddie may have been working on before his death in 2020.
“If they asked me to sing on something Eddie left behind, I’d absolutely consider it,” Hagar explained. “It would depend on the song and how it was put together, but I’d love to be part of honoring what he created.”
The possibility of posthumous Van Halen music has been discussed frequently since Eddie’s passing. His brother and longtime bandmate Alex Van Halen has hinted that the guitarist left behind a large archive of riffs, demos, and partially developed compositions. Fans have long speculated that some of that material could eventually be assembled into new releases.
Hagar believes that if such a project were handled respectfully, it could be a meaningful way to celebrate Eddie’s legacy. During his tenure with the band, the vocalist collaborated closely with the guitarist on albums like 5150, OU812, and For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, records that helped define Van Halen’s second era.
Although he hasn’t been approached about any specific plans, Hagar emphasized that he would approach the opportunity with the same spirit of collaboration he shared with Eddie during their years together.
“I’d want it to be done the right way,” he said. “Eddie’s music deserves that. If something is already there and it just needs finishing touches, then sure, I’d be interested.”
The idea of completing unfinished music is not uncommon in rock history, but doing so with material from someone as influential as Eddie Van Halen would carry special significance. Widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, Eddie revolutionized rock guitar with his innovative tapping technique, explosive tone, and unmistakable style.
For Hagar, the prospect of revisiting those sounds would be both emotional and inspiring.
“Working with Eddie was one of the greatest experiences of my life,” he said. “If there’s a way to help bring something he started into the world, that would be a beautiful thing.”
Whether such a project will ever materialize remains uncertain. But Hagar’s willingness to participate shows that the spirit of collaboration that once fueled Van Halen’s most successful era still resonates, and that the possibility of hearing new music inspired by Eddie Van Halen continues to excite both musicians and fans alike.
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