Sammy Hagar, the iconic former frontman of Van Halen, recently opened up about his hopes to mend his long-strained relationship with drummer Alex Van Halen. This desire for reconciliation came to the forefront during various interviews, especially one with Rolling Stone, where Hagar expressed deep feelings about their estrangement and how he would like to see them become friends again.
Hagar reflected on the many times he has reached out to Alex, particularly before the "Best of All Worlds" tour. Despite persistent attempts to contact his bandmate through numerous emails, texts, and phone calls, he recounted, "No response. No response." His frustration was palpable as he detailed making various offers to just meet up or casually hang out, yet faced outright silence from Alex.
The backdrop of their estrangement stems from both personal and professional upheavals. After Hagar's historic run with Van Halen, which saw the band achieve massive commercial success, he left the group following tensions with Alex and the late Eddie Van Halen. The last time they toured together was back in 2004, before Hagar's second departure, which led to significant rifts within the band's lineage.
Recently, Hagar has been focusing on the legacy of the band. With Eddie’s passing from lung cancer in October 2020, it led to Hagar reconciling with Eddie shortly before he died, which Hagar found to be both healing and poignant. Regarding Alex, Hagar expressed sorrow, stating, "It breaks my heart" to see Alex's decline following Eddie’s death and Alex’s own health challenges, which have left him with limited mobility.
Compounding the strain is Alex's recent memoir, Brothers, where he largely ignores the "Van Hagar" era of the band. Hagar noted, "It’s sad. 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." To Hagar, Alex’s choice to exclude him seemed not only dismissive but also indicative of underlying bitterness. Hagar remarked, "Why he left me out, I would like to hear him explain."
Through all the ups and downs, Hagar is adamant about his desire for peace. At 77, he insists this reconciliation is on his "bucket list" and affirms, "I will not take this to my grave, and I don’t want Al to take it to his grave either." This desire for friendship doesn’t indicate any wish to reunite musically, as Hagar clarified, expressing he just wants to reconnect on some personal level. "I want to be friends... I don't want to play in a band with Al," he reiterated.
Despite his efforts to reach out, Alex has been quoted expressing disinterest. “They’re not doing the band justice. They can do what they want to do. That’s not my business,” he commented, voicing his dissatisfaction with Hagar and Michael Anthony's recent tour endeavors. This public dismissal only adds layers to their complicated relationship.
Interestingly, Hagar approaches the subject with empathy. He relates personally to the challenges Alex faces, especially after losing Eddie. Candidly, he shared, "When you put yourself in his shoes, I’m saying, ‘Okay, I feel sorry for him.’" Hagar’s compassion for Alex’s situation, mixed with his longing for renewed friendship, reveals the emotional complexity surrounding their dynamic where nostalgia for the past converges with current realities.
With the musical giants now having pursued different paths, Hagar has turned to performing with the group Sammy Hagar and the Circle, which features songs from the Van Halen catalog, solidifying his connection with the legacy he helped build. A potential return to the spotlight with Alex, he believes, could only be possible if they can manage to work through their complex feelings toward each other.
The next chapter remains uncertain. Hagar’s own tour with Anthony will shift to Las Vegas sessions, which begs the question: will Alex ever break his silence? The fans still deeply care about the roots of Van Halen, making this potential reconciliation feel even more pressing for all involved. Whether or not reconciliation happens, Hagar's heart remains open for friendship. With clearly defined sentiments of empathy and retrospection, he's not ready to give up on Alex.
The tale of Sammy Hagar and Alex Van Halen serves as a reminder of how personal issues can haunt public figures, from estranged friendships to the weight of memories, all layered under the bright lights of fame. Their saga may not yet be finished, but for now, Sammy Hagar continues to hope for the day where he and Alex can reconnect as friends, reflecting not only on their legacy together but also the many moments shared over the years.
