Sammy Hagar has opened up about why he continues to perform Van Halen material alongside longtime bassist Michael Anthony. In a recent interview with WMMR, the former Van Halen frontman detailed the motivation behind their current lineup and how it’s designed to honor the band’s legacy—and give fans what they’ve been missing.
“Let’s Go Out and Make the Van Halen Fans Happy”
Hagar and Anthony knew there were many fans still hungry for authentic Van Halen performances—especially after the passing of Eddie Van Halen and the long absence of a true reunion.
“Great lineup. And there’s a reason for that lineup,” Hagar said. “I’ve played with great musicians throughout my life in my career. I’m really fortunate to play with some of the best guitar players on the planet.”
He explained how the duo reached a pivotal decision to form a group that could do justice to Van Halen’s legacy:
“And it came time to Mikey and I say, ‘Let’s go out and make the Van Halen fans happy.’ They’re sitting there waiting,” he continued. “There’s no way there’s going to be a reunion. It’s over now. Dave’s out there back now. But at the time, he was retired. And Mike and I said, ‘Let’s go do it. But how are we going to do it? Let’s go find the best guys to play the music.’ And that was that lineup. And everyone said yes.”
“Hell Yes” to Covering Eddie Van Halen
Hagar shared a funny behind-the-scenes moment from the formation of their current project: the challenge of finding a guitarist willing—and able—to take on Eddie Van Halen’s legendary material.
“It’s so funny. When you ask a guitar player to cover Eddie Van Halen’s material, you either get a ‘Are you crazy?’ or you get a ‘Hell yes.’ And Joe said, ‘Hell yeah,’” he noted, referring to guitarist Joe Satriani, who now plays alongside them.
Preserving the Van Halen Legacy
Beyond the stage, Hagar remains deeply committed to honoring Eddie Van Halen’s influence on rock music. Whether through live performances, collaborative tours, or new musical projects, Hagar’s dedication helps ensure that Van Halen’s music continues to resonate with new and longtime fans alike.
