David Lee Roth’s “Eddie Van Halen” Dream — and Sammy Hagar’s Surprising Olive Branch

What David Lee Roth Said on Aug. 13

At the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom in New Hampshire on August 13, 2025, David Lee Roth paused between songs to tell the crowd that Eddie Van Halen’s “ghost” had visited him the previous night. In a tongue-in-cheek bit, he said Eddie joked the song “given” to Sammy Hagar was basically In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida backwards, and he closed with a gallows-humor farewell to his “brother Ed.”

Roth also prefaced his comments by calling Hagar an “esteemed colleague” with a “great voice” and “great catalog,” framing the moment as more playful than hostile.

Why This Matters: the Hagar Dream That Sparked It

Roth’s bit riffs on a story Hagar has told since 2022 — that Eddie appeared in a dream, the two “wrote” together, and the idea became Hagar’s 2025 single Encore, Thank You, Goodnight. The track was inspired by that dream and features Joe Satriani, Michael Anthony, and Kenny Aronoff.

Sammy Hagar’s Reaction: “Not Negative Whatsoever”

Rather than fire back, Sammy Hagar publicly welcomed Roth’s remarks, calling them the first real “olive branch” between the two in ages. He urged fans to “listen closely,” saying there’s truth amid the showmanship and that the Van Halen catalog deserves to be carried on.

Reading the Room: A Rare Thaw in a Decades-Long Cold War

Van Halen fans are used to sharp elbows between the band’s two most famous frontmen. Roth choosing praise before punchlines — and Hagar interpreting it as goodwill — signals a rare détente that centers Eddie Van Halen’s legacy first. Whether it leads anywhere beyond words is unknown, but for now the headline isn’t beef; it’s shared reverence for Eddie and the music.

Fast Facts & Timeline

• Aug 13, 2025 – Roth tells the “Eddie dream” story during his New Hampshire show.

• Aug 18–19, 2025 – Coverage spreads; outlets transcribe Roth’s remarks.

• Aug 20, 2025 – Hagar posts his “olive branch” response.

• Apr 2025 – Hagar releases Encore, Thank You, Goodnight, crediting a dream with Eddie for the spark.

FAQ (People Also Ask)

Did David Lee Roth mock Sammy Hagar?
He told a humorous “ghost of Eddie” story and teased the idea that Hagar’s dream-gifted song was In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida backwards — but he also praised Hagar first. Hagar himself said the comments weren’t negative and called them an olive branch.

Where did Roth say it?
At the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom (Hampton Beach, NH) on Aug. 13, 2025.

What is Encore, Thank You, Goodnight?
A 2025 single Hagar says was inspired by a dream “jam” with Eddie Van Halen; recorded with Joe Satriani, Michael Anthony, and Kenny Aronoff.

Is there broader Van Halen context this year?
Yes. Coverage across 2024–25 revisited the band’s history and post-Eddie possibilities; it’s part of why this lighter exchange landed so big.