Los Angeles, CA, While Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony have been celebrating Van Halen’s music on their hugely successful; The Best of All Worlds tour alongside Joe Satriani and Jason Bonham, many fans have wondered why Alex Van Halen, the band’s legendary drummer, hasn’t been part of the project. In a rare statement, Alex recently explained his decision, saying he was simply “not interested” in joining the tour.
For Alex, the absence isn’t about animosity but rather about closure. Since the death of his brother and bandmate Eddie Van Halen in 2020, Alex has largely stepped away from the spotlight. In his words, performing Van Halen’s catalog without Eddie feels incomplete.
“Van Halen was always about the four of us in whatever lineup we had,” Alex said in a recent interview. “I respect what Sam and Mike are doing, but for me, playing those songs without Ed isn’t the same. It’s not something I’m interested in right now.”
Hagar had openly invited Alex to be part of the tour, calling it a celebration of the band’s legacy rather than a replacement. “Alex is always welcome,” Hagar said earlier this year. “This is about keeping the music alive and showing people how much Van Halen meant to the world.”
Still, Alex emphasized that his decision was personal, not a rejection of the project. He acknowledged the deep connection fans still have to Van Halen’s music and praised Hagar, Anthony, and the rest of the group for carrying the torch.
“I’m grateful people still love the music. That’s the greatest honor for Eddie’s memory,” Alex continued. “But for me, stepping out there without him… it just doesn’t feel right.”
The Best of All Worlds tour has been selling out venues across the country, fueled by Hagar and Anthony’s chemistry and Satriani’s guitar virtuosity. Yet for many fans, the absence of Alex remains bittersweet, a reminder of just how central the Van Halen brothers were to the band’s magic.
Whether Alex might ever join a tribute or reunion remains uncertain. For now, he seems content staying behind the scenes, cherishing the memories rather than reliving them on stage.
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