Sammy Hagar recently shared a fascinating anecdote about a song he composed that was initially disregarded by Alex Van Halen, who later came to regret his decision after hearing the final version. Hagar had proposed this track while they were collaborating on the album that would eventually be titled OU812, released in 1988. However, the drummer showed little interest at the time, dismissing it without a second thought. It wasn’t until he listened to “Eagles Fly” on Hagar’s solo album, I Never Said Goodbye, released in 1987, that he realized his mistake.

“I’m at the studio,” Hagar recounted in a recent video on social media. “I’m playing it for Ed, and Alex is standing in the background, and I’m… on guitar, acoustic. And Alex goes, ‘Sounds like John Denver!’” This comment sparked a memorable moment, as Hagar humorously responded, “Yeah – what’s wrong with that? John’s a bad motherfucker! Shut your mouth when I’m talking about John! … [I]t was just such a funny reaction.”

Despite Van Halen’s clear disinterest in the song initially, Hagar decided to complete it for his own project, with Eddie Van Halen contributing his signature guitar and bass work, as well as backing vocals. This unexpected collaboration showcased the undeniable chemistry between the artists, even if it didn’t result in a Van Halen release at that time.

Alex Van Halen’s Surprising Reaction to the Final Version of Sammy Hagar’s “Eagles Fly”

After hearing the finished product on the record, Hagar recalled, “Alex heard it on the record, and he goes, ‘Hey, man, you should have saved that for Van Halen!’ I said, ‘Dude, don’t you remember what you said about that song?’” This exchange highlights the irony of how a song that was once dismissed became one of Van Halen’s favorites. During the Hagar era, it ultimately became a staple of their live performances, proving its lasting appeal and significance.

Reflecting on the situation, Hagar noted, “It was just really ironic that it [became] one of his favorite songs.” The emotional weight of this connection was palpable, as Hagar mentioned, “[It was] one of Eddie’s favorite songs of mine… And it should have been on a Van Halen record.” The singer mused about the hypothetical scenario, stating, “That would have been unbelievable if it would’ve been on OU812. But it is what it is; and it’s a song that I will play for the rest of my life.”

Sammy Hagar Reflects on the Impact of “Eagles Fly”

Sammy Hagar, “Eagles Fly”