Sammy Hagar criticizes Alex for dismissing the “Van Hagar” era

Van Halen co-founder and drummer Alex Van Halen released the book Brothers in 2024, which tells the story of him and his late brother Eddie, as well as the band. However, the book only covers their story up to the mid-80s when David Lee Roth was the group’s vocalist, omitting any mention of Sammy Hagar, who was with the band for 10 years and briefly reunited with them in the early 2000s. In interviews promoting the book, Alex dismissed the Van Hagar era, stating that the real magic was only in the classic lineup with Roth.

Now, answering a fan on social media, Hagar said it is blasphemy to dismiss his era in the band because they sold more than 50 million records worldwide and had a number 1 album.

Sammy Hagar criticizes Alex for dismissing the “Van Hagar” era

“It could have, my friend, but instead we went on to sell over 50 million records for (a) No. 1 album, sold out every building and stadium in the world for a whole decade. That never happened again.

Alex is not doing his brother’s musical legacy justice by not acknowledging all the No. 1 albums and some great music Eddie and I wrote together – not Alex – but Eddie and I wrote together. To not acknowledge 10 years of music is blasphemy to his brother’s musicianship, songwriting and legacy,” Sammy Hagar said.

Alex said Sammy Hagar’s band was not doing justice to Van Halen’s catalog with their current tour. The drummer said that in an interview with Billboard in 2024.

“I’m not interested. They’re not doing the band justice. They can do what they want to do. That’s not my business.” Alex said he is not interested because Sammy publicly invited him to join them on tour since the Eddie Van Halen tribute tour was not going to happen.