Classic Rock
Alex Van Halen says Sammy Hagar is a “complete idiot”
According to Sammy Hagar, the last time he and Alex Van Halen saw each other was in 2004, during his final reunion with the band. In Alex’s recent book, Brothers, about his and Eddie’s life, he covers only their era with David Lee Roth on vocals, which, in his opinion, is the real Van Halen. In a new interview with Brazilian Rock magazine Roadie Crew, Alex called Sammy a “complete idiot.”
What Alex Van Halen said about Sammy Hagar
When talking about other biographies, when asked by the interviewer Marcelo Vieira if he had read David Lee Roth’s 1997 book “Crazy From the Heat”, he praised the book, but when asked about Sammy’s “Hagar, Red”, released in 2011, he said: “I don’t know what he wrote, I don’t wanna know. In my opinion, Sammy Hagar is a complete idiot”, he said.
About Roth’s book, Alex said: “It’s quite fun and accurately reflects his sense of humor. Although the text is somewhat abstract and loses its train of thought at times, it’s still a very interesting perspective on that era.”
During the same conversation, which will be published in full in the magazine’s upcoming #293 edition, Alex revealed that he is trying to make a movie about his and Eddie’s lives. He also talked about the band’s less-remembered period, including the album Van Halen III (1998), which featured Extreme’s Gary Cherone on vocals.
Failed tribute show to Eddie and final Van Halen album being made
After Eddie Van Halen passed away in 2020 at the age of 65, his brother Alex considered doing some special shows to honor him, but he didn’t invite Sammy Hagar or bassist Michael Anthony to be part of them. Initially, guitarist Joe Satriani was going to be involved, and talks with David Lee Roth took place. However, according to Alex himself, it didn’t work out because the singer didn’t want to acknowledge Eddie during the shows.
The drummer is also currently working with his and Eddie’s longtime friend Steve Lukather (Toto) on a final Van Halen album featuring material recorded by the brothers. The album will be completed with a vocalist who has yet to be chosen, who will probably not be Roth and certainly not Hagar. The “Red Rocker” said that Alex never returned his calls in the past few years.
