Since entering the industry in the early 1970s, Sammy Hagar has enjoyed one of the most prestigious and storied careers in the entire music medium.
Garnering critical success both in his solo ventures and during his tenure with the hard rock groups Montrose and Van Halen, the 77-year-old music icon has more than earned his various accolades over the years, including a 2007 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In spite of his successful time in the legendary band Van Halen, however, Hagar continues to maintain an incredibly complex relationship to former bandmate Alex Van Halen, as revealed in Hagar’s recent interview with Rolling Stone magazine.
Founded in 1972, the original Van Halen lineup consisted of founding members Eddie Van Halen, his brother Alex, lead vocalist David Lee Roth, and bassist Michael Anthony. After Roth left the group in 1985, Hagar was promptly brought in as a replacement, launching the band to new heights in the music industry.
According to Hagar, it was this newfound success in the ’80s that ultimately fueled his falling out with Alex Van Halen.
Hagar told Rolling Stone, “Some people have said to me, ‘Oh, Cabo Wabo. At one time, Van Halen, when you built it, you guys were all partners in that. And then they didn’t want it anymore when it was losing money, and they gave it to you, and you turned it around and made hundreds of millions of dollars on it. And they’re angry. Alex is angry about that.'”
Reasoning the potential animosity expressed by his former bandmate, Hagar also theorized Van Halen’s recent health issues caused him to feel jealousy towards his ex-Van Halen bandmates.
“I think Al’s angry because I’m [performing],” Hagar said. “Mike [Anthony] and I are out doing it, and he can’t. He’s not a singer. He’s not a guitar player. He is not really a band leader. And he seems like he doesn’t want to play drums or can’t play drums anymore, and he can’t go write a new record.”
Evaluating his current relationship to the 71-year-old drummer — with whom he hasn’t spoken in 21 years — Hagar ended by saying he’d prefer to keep his distance from Van Halen, even though he feels no personal ill feelings towards the band’s co-founder.
“Al, you’re fine. Just leave me alone. I’ll leave you alone. Everything’s good,” Hagar said, addressing Van Halen. “I’m making you money, by the way, Al. I’m out there selling Van Halen records and keeping the name alive, keeping the music alive.”
