Sammy Hagar is expressing his strong disapproval of Alex Van Halen’s recent remarks, labeling them as “blasphemy” for disregarding the significant accomplishments of Van Halen during the era when Hagar served as the band’s second lead vocalist. This period, often referred to as the “Van Hagar” years, was marked by remarkable commercial success and numerous hit albums that contributed to the band’s legacy.

In Van Halen’s new memoir titled Brothers, he primarily reflects on his time with the legendary Eddie Van Halen, concluding the narrative with the original departure of David Lee Roth in 1985. Notably, the memoir omits any acknowledgment of the impactful years when Sammy Hagar was part of the band, an omission that Hagar finds troubling.

When asked about this exclusion, Van Halen stated: “What happened after Dave left is not the same band. … The magic was in the first years, when we didn’t know what we were doing; when we were willing to try anything.” This statement suggests a belief that the essence of the band was lost after Roth’s exit, which has sparked considerable debate among fans.

READ MORE: The Sammy Hagar Song Alex Van Halen Regretted Dismissing

Hagar’s recent comments followed a nostalgic Instagram post featuring a photo from 1991, depicting himself and Eddie Van Halen en route to a performance. In this light-hearted post, Hagar reminisced about their fashion choices, humorously noting, “we all survived” the fashion faux pas of that time.

The atmosphere shifted when a fan commented, “My dad always said the Roth days were about the party; the Sammy days were about the music.” This prompted another follower to add: “No disrespect to Alex but it’s ok to like VH with Sammy, even if he doesn’t anymore.” A third comment echoed a common sentiment among purists, stating: “Most purists believe VH ended with DLR,” which led to a terse reaction from Hagar.

Sammy Hagar’s Perspective on Alex Van Halen’s Remarks

Hagar passionately defended the band’s legacy, stating, “It could have [ended], my friend, but instead we went on to sell over 50 million records for [a] No. 1 album [then] sold out every building and stadium in the world for a whole decade. That never happened again.” His comments highlight the remarkable achievements during his time with the band, emphasizing their commercial success and the impact they made in the music industry.

Furthermore, Hagar argues that “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 [those] 10 years of music is blasphemy to his brother’s musicianship, songwriting and legacy.” This statement underscores Hagar’s belief that the contributions made during the “Van Hagar” years are integral to the band’s overall history.

Last month, Hagar expressed a desire to put an end to the ongoing rift with Van Halen. He stated, “It’s on my bucket list that I will not take this to my grave, and I don’t want Al taking it to his grave,” revealing his hope for reconciliation. “I’d be happy to play with him, but it’s not what I’m looking for. I just want to be friends again,” Hagar concluded, indicating his willingness to mend their relationship.