Sammy Hagar recently opened up about the ongoing rift between him and Alex Van Halen, expressing his deep desire to reconnect with his former bandmate. In an exclusive interview with Rolling Stone, Hagar shared that he genuinely “wants to be friends” with Alex, despite the fact that they may never perform music together again. He emphasized the importance of this relationship to him, stating, “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.” The Red Rocker further elaborated that he has made multiple attempts to extend an olive branch, recently reaching out through Irving Azoff.

While Hagar recognizes that a musical reunion with Van Halen seems unlikely, he remains hopeful about mending their personal ties. “I want to be friends, though,” he asserted. “I don’t want to play in a band with Al. I’m not asking for that.” He understands that Alex may not be ready for such a collaboration. “If he was, I’d be happy to play with him, but it’s not what I’m looking for. I just want to be friends again.”

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Sammy Hagar Affirms His Ownership of the ‘Van Hagar’ Music Catalog

In another revealing conversation with UCR, Hagar reflected on his failed attempts to reach out to Alex prior to the Van Halen-themed Best of All Worlds Tour. He expressed disappointment at receiving “no response” from the drummer. Last month, Alex told Billboard that he was “not interested” in the tour and felt that Hagar and Michael Anthony were “not doing the band justice.” This revelation points to a deeper division between the former bandmates, highlighting the complexities of their professional and personal histories.

The memoir Brothers, authored by Alex, notably excludes Hagar’s tenure with Van Halen, focusing instead on the era of the band’s original frontman, David Lee Roth. When Hagar was asked about this omission, he responded with a mix of sadness and empathy rather than bitterness. “It’s sad,” he admitted. “I haven’t read the whole book, but I’ve seen all the excerpts, and I heard some of the interviews. It breaks my heart because if I think about what Alex is going through—losing his brother, never having played with anyone else in his life, and dealing with his health issues—it’s poignant.”

Hagar continued, reflecting on the emotional toll of such circumstances. “When I saw how rickety he is, I realized, ‘No wonder he’s not answering my call when I say, “Do you want to go out and play with us?”‘ He can’t.” This sentiment showcases Hagar’s understanding of the challenges Alex faces, as he reflects on both their shared past and the physical limitations that now separate them.

Hagar expressed a profound sense of loss regarding the inability to perform. “That breaks my heart, because I can only put myself in those shoes and say, ‘What if I couldn’t sing and perform anymore?’” He articulated his fears about losing the very essence of his identity, stating, “The thing that I did my whole life, the thing I devoted my life to, the thing that made me rich and famous and gave me the most beautiful life on the planet, and all of a sudden I can’t do that anymore? I would feel like I was robbing the fans, to start with.” This reflection reveals Hagar’s passion for music and his deep connection to his fanbase.

Despite feeling sidelined by the narrative presented in Brothers, Hagar affirmed his belief that he is the rightful steward of the “Van Hagar” catalog. “Why he left me out, I would like to hear him explain that someday, because I don’t get it completely,” he remarked. “I know that he’s bitter about some things, whatever that is … It’s like, ‘If you don’t want that era, that even gives me more justification to say I own it then,’ because no one else can do it.” Hagar’s words reflect his commitment to preserving their musical legacy, emphasizing that he and Michael Anthony are determined to keep that era’s music alive for the fans.

Despite the exclusion from Brothers, Hagar expressed admiration for Van Halen’s artistic work, hinting that there might be more stories to tell. “I want to give him some more credit about that book. The way he wrote it is soulful and touching,” he said. “I mean, about their childhood. It’s like a love letter to his brother, and that’s touching to me.” This acknowledgment illustrates Hagar’s respect for Van Halen’s creative endeavors, suggesting that he understands the complexities behind the memoir’s focus. He even speculated about the potential for future works, pondering, “It would’ve been the Bible, the dictionary, so maybe he’s got plans for a Volume 2. Who knows?”