Singer Sammy Hagar is still disappointed because a tribute to the late Eddie Van Halen didn’t happen.
During an interview with the Rock of Nations podcast, Hagar shared the ”ugly” truth behind the lack of the tribute, somehow blaming Alex Van Halen for this as the drummer is now in charge of Van Halen. Hagar also went on to say Alex Van Halen should have organized the tribute in honor of his brother.
“I’m so disappointed how they’ve handled everything, including when I left the band and what they did… The dysfunction in that band; when I was in the band (for) the first 9 years, we got along like freaking brothers and sisters. And we were happy together. One big family. […]
“Things went wrong (after I’ve left the band). Drugs and alcohol are a bad thing when it turns ugly. It’s just never been the same…”
Sammy Hagar also added:
“For them not to have done something for Eddie Van Halen, the greatest guitar player in the world, on the planet. Greatest rock musician, I’m telling ya. It’s ugly, but it’s not my job.”
49 comments
I really wish Sammy could just be quiet and stop commenting on Van Halen past or present.
I agree, tired of hearing it. The media is big part of it too though. The same story keeps punching us the face over and over. Alex has nothing to prove to any of us.
I really wish people would stop telling Sammy what to do
Amen!
Why ? He was a huge part of their most productive years he has an absolute right to give his opinion !!
why,,, he is right there should be a tribute to Eddie. Someone has to say something……….
Why ?? if anyone could, it’s him
Sammy has earned that right in my opinion but again that’s just my opinion, like you have yours!
It’s so overdue at this point, it’s kinda has lost its luster, don’t think it’ll ever happen, cuz Alex is just too down an out about Eddie (understandable), however Eddie does deserve a tribute show!! Just a shame that so much time has gone by.
Exactly , It’s all about him . Nothing more than money . He failed at that attempt. I applaud Alex for holding his ground it’s his place to to make a tribute,and the original members . Besides it’s to soon everyone is still grieving .
Sammy literally does not need the money. It is respect for Eddie that he feels is lacking and I would agree
For that to happen the media needs to stop asking him
A Men, Sammie move on dude.it’s unbecoming. It’s been 25 years move on brother.
Why he’s part of it.
You want it to go away?
Agreed. He wasn’t even the best lead singer!
Sammy wasn’t even Eddie’s first choice to sing for Van Halen. We all know that Patty Smythe, and now Glenn Hughes is saying he was in line before sammy. If he wasn’t strung out on drugs he would’ve gotten the gig before sammy. I beleive it. Was Eddie a bigger fan of Ronnie Montrose or Ritchie Blackmore?
Agreed
I’m pretty sure Sammy doesn’t care what you think.
Me too…. But it’s the only thing that gets him attention and keeps him feeling relevant.
We didn’t hear from him this much for the entire decade that he was with Van Halen yeah the promotional machine is running full time and over time. For Sammy it’s all business.
Why? Because he is speaking the truth.
Sammy is only worried about cashing in on EVHs memory just like when he slammed Ed’s addictions and problems in his tell all book- what a true friend! I totally understand Alex being like screw you! He never forgot what Sammy did by putting him down just to try and sell more books. Sammy was also jealous how well both VH reunions did with Dave and the large venues they were selling out because fans wanted to see all the original era songs one more time.
So do you mean that you want to stifle someone else’s speech particularly a man who is beloved all over the world? Seriously? You must be Democrat
It’s really an ugly part of show business, the need to keep your brand alive and keep your name on everybody’s lips. Dave and Roger have made an lifetime art of this. Doesn’t ever just retire and SHUT UP! I get that it’s not your job Sammy, but then again nobody ever said it was.
Why can’t he comment about van Halen he was in the ban for a long time so he has every right to comment
shut up georgie
I agree. He talks like it is honor… but money is his drive!
Yup I couldn’t agree more,
Sammy stabs the VH bros in the back repeatedly, in his book and in interviews, while Eddie was sick, and he now wonders why Alex won’t return his phone calls.
Sammy has earned the right in my opinion but that’s just my opinion, like you have yours!
I met Sammy he’s a stand up guy and he was just trying to Honor Eddie
I love Sammy, but “it’s not my job” is the lamest excuse ever. The end.
Everyone celebrates the life of a loved one differently. I know Alex was close to his brother and he celebrates his life differently than Sammy does. Sammy should accept that and not criticize publicly it won’t mend any fences.
I think Eddie was a pure genius. His legacy should be noted and honored. Any complaints should be tossed to the wind.
George, you’re an idiot. He’s the only one of other than MA to still have relevance from VH. Drugs and drink took Diamond Dave and Eddie, Alex always was and still is useless, and who’s left…Wolfgang? Sammy has done more for VH even after he left the band than anyone else. What happened to VH after he left, nadda, zero. Oh wait, you’re still clapping your hands because they almost added DD back to the band. That didn’t happen because both VH’s are so full of themselves they destroyed the band. But you should still pout about Sammy while the rest of us enjoy him and MA still making music. Maybe you should go see Alex and hide from the world like him.
Could someone just tell Valerie to get it done.
Alex is becoming a hermit. Alex get out of the house and do something. Why wouldn’t you honor you brother. For the fans can celebrate your music.
Sammy please stop whining about the past and Eddie. Concentrate on your future. YOU make a tribute if you need to but listening to you still whine after all these years for us is just another day of BLAH BLAH BLAH…. move forward.
If Sammy wants a tribute to Eddie Van Halen he should get it started hes got everything he needs to get it goin , Wolfie would probably get with him to do it ! Alex is probably just not ready to do a big deal show after all Noone knows how his brothers death affected him !
We all feel the same as you do Sam.
Sam can say whatever he wants
Sammy was fired from Van Halen, now he’s acting like a disgruntled employee.
He kind of has every right with keeping Eddie Van Halen in mind, doing a tribute to the best guitar player in the world and not trying to release old stuff yet just to make money pretty sure the tribute should come before the money for such an amazing guitar player and inspiration to so many of thousands of music
Exactly he is NOT VH be what you are. A solo act. Leave the legacy alone jerk
If Alex wants to retire, It’s his right just as it’s Sammy’s to keep working. However, the communication amongst Brothers should not be in the media.
Maybe a tribute to Eddie Van Halen has not been done because everybody misses Eddie and they are dealing with it in there own way
It’s the story that needs to be told it is very very sad. I have been through similar in my life with alcohol.
If it wasn’t from Sammy, it would be from someone else, and might not be the truth..
RIP. Eddie best guitar player to ever live.
Lets be real for a minute regardless of whether or not your a Sammy fan or a DLR fan or maybe just maybe a VH fan! . The VH brothers as well as DLR destroyed themselves using drugs and alcohol. I am not judging them. Sammy is and has been the only smart level headed member of the band for years. If it wasn’t for him it would have been over in 1985. Not sure about everyone else but from 85 to 96 we got some great music and VH was more than relevant! Maybe in a different kind of way a bit more relevant than before Sammy. Eddie was always the most talented, but he was certainly a bit crazy as we all knew and loved. Sammy has every right and IMO Eddie deserves better right now. They owe it to us fans to do something for Eddie. He deserves it and who cares who steps up to do it… not me!
Sammy was only fired because a new management company talked Eddie into dumping the company sammy was involved with running VH
That’s why they went nowhere after sammy left.