Sammy Hagar Blasts Alex Van Halen For Ignoring His Era Of Van Halen In New Book

Sammy Hagar has never been one to hold back his feelings, and the Red Rocker is once again speaking out, this time with sharp criticism aimed at former bandmate Alex Van Halen.

 

The legendary drummer’s much-anticipated memoir, Brothers, was released this month, but according to Hagar, the book paints a one-sided picture of Van Halen’s legacy by almost entirely overlooking the band’s chart-topping years with him as lead singer.

In a recent interview, Hagar expressed both disappointment and frustration. “It’s like I never existed,” he said. “The years I spent with Van Halen weren’t just important to me, they were some of the most successful years in the band’s history. We had four consecutive No. 1 albums, stadium tours, and global recognition. To pretend that era didn’t happen is rewriting history.”

Alex’s memoir primarily focuses on his childhood, the bond with his brother Eddie, and the explosive rise of Van Halen with original frontman David Lee Roth. While critics have praised the book for its raw honesty and insight into Eddie’s genius, Hagar argues that leaving out the “Van Hagar” era diminishes not only his own contributions but also the band’s achievements during that period.

The Hagar-fronted lineup delivered mega-hits such as “Why Can’t This Be Love,” “Dreams,” and “Right Now,” ushering in a more polished sound that dominated the charts from 1986 through the mid-1990s. Despite the commercial success, tensions between Hagar and the Van Halen brothers have remained well-documented, with their relationship deteriorating after his departure in 1996.

Still, Hagar insists his frustration isn’t about ego, but about fairness to the fans. “The fans lived those years right alongside us,” he said. “They know what we accomplished. You can’t just erase a decade of history because it doesn’t fit your version of the story.”

So far, Alex Van Halen has not publicly responded to Hagar’s remarks. But with the book sparking both praise and controversy, one thing is clear: the Van Halen legacy remains as complicated and as fiery, as ever.