Sammy Hagar Calls Alex Van Halen’s Ommision of ‘Van Hagar’ Era Blasphemy

Sammy Hagar, the former frontman of the legendary band Van Halen, recently took to social media to criticize his former bandmate Alex Van Halen for neglecting a significant era of the band's history in his recently published memoir, ‘Brothers.' The book, which explores the band's journey, focuses primarily on the years with David Lee Roth as the lead vocalist and omits the period when Hagar was the frontman. This oversight did not sit well with Hagar, who publicly called it “blasphemy” to Eddie Van Halen’s legacy, a statement that has sparked considerable controversy among fans and in the rock music community.

The revelation comes with the release of Van Halen's Memoir ‘Brothers,' which details the band's history up until 1985, when David Lee Roth left the group. Notably absent from the memoir is any mention of Hagar’s decade-long tenure with the band, which led to four number-one albums and significant commercial success. During this period, known as the “Van Hagar” era, the band sold over 50 million records worldwide and dominated stadium stages for years. Hagar, clearly frustrated by this omission, responded to fans' comments on social media, affirming that while purists might prefer the Roth years, the band achieved unprecedented success during his time as frontman.

Hagar, known as the “Red Rocker,” has not only defended his contributions to the band during this era but also shared on his Instagram a nostalgic photo of himself with Eddie Van Halen. The caption, which reflected on the “good old days” of performing together, resonated deeply with fans who appreciate the band's entire history, not just its early years. In interviews, Hagar has expressed a desire to reconcile with Alex Van Halen, acknowledging that capturing the entire history in one book might have been a challenging feat and suggesting the possibility of a future volume that could address the gaps.

Critics of ‘Brothers' have pointed out that the exclusion of the “Van Hagar” era reflects more than just a personal oversight; it raises questions about how band members perceive different phases of their history. Alex Van Halen, in interviews promoting ‘Brothers,' stated his preference for the original lineup, which he felt captured the essence and magic of Van Halen. He referred to the post-Roth years as a distinct chapter that did not align with the raw rock and roll identity established earlier. This polarizing view is at the heart of the current tensions between Hagar and Alex, igniting debates over what truly defines the band’s legacy.

In addressing these disputes, Hagar has also acknowledged his personal aspirations to mend ties with his former bandmate for the sake of honoring Eddie Van Halen's memory. He expressed a wish to resolve their differences, so neither he nor Alex carries these issues to their graves. This sentiment of reconciliation underscores Hagar's perspective that the band's legacy, regardless of its lineup changes, should be a celebrated continuum rather than dissected parts defined by individual members’ preferences or histories.

Looking forward, Hagar remains committed to celebrating his musical past and honoring Eddie's legacy. He has planned a Las Vegas residency with his band, Best of All Worlds, featuring renowned musicians like Joe Satriani, to honor Van Halen's music. Moreover, Hagar announced the upcoming release of a tribute song for Eddie, further asserting his dedication to preserving the band's enduring impact. Through these events, he intends to keep the spirit of Van Halen alive for fans who appreciate both the classic and “Van Hagar” tracks.