From Guitar World · · 1m 30s
Sammy Hagar fires back at Alex Van Halen's insult
The Red Rocker defends his Van Halen era and questions why the drummer is erasing their shared legacy.
In brief
The Red Rocker defends his Van Halen era and questions why the drummer is erasing their shared legacy. Sammy Hagar says Alex Van Halen is damaging the band's legacy by refusing to acknowledge the successful years they spent together, and he's willing to talk if Alex will explain his grievances. Originally reported by…
Alex calls Sammy a complete idiot
![Sammy Hagar plays a red Explorer [left] in 2025; Alex Van Halen in action behind the kit during a Van Halen show in 2015](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WsbwJw5JKcus23XwZA52mh-1920-80.jpg)
Alex Van Halen recently insulted Sammy Hagar in an interview with a Brazilian journalist, calling him a complete idiot. Hagar says he has no idea why the drummer holds such a long-standing grudge.
“I don't know what Alex's problem is. I'm always honest.”
The book might not be the real issue
Hagar's 2011 autobiography Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock may have sparked tension, but Alex admitted he hasn't read it and doesn't want to know what's in it. The two haven't spoken in 21 years.
Forty million records erased
Hagar points out that he and Alex sold over 40 million records and had four number-one albums together. He says Alex is scratching that entire era off Eddie Van Halen's legacy by refusing to acknowledge it.
“We sold 40-some million records, four number-one albums, and you just scratched that off of your brother's legacy.”
Similar to how he treated Mike
Hagar compares Alex's behavior to how he previously airbrushed bassist Mike Anthony out of the band's history when his nephew Wolfgang replaced him. It's a pattern of erasing people from Van Halen's story.
Sammy wants answers, not a fight
Hagar says he's willing to talk and wants Alex to make a public statement explaining his grievances. He's not interested in a press war but believes fans know something is wrong.
“Just come clean. Tell the people, tell me, make a public statement.”
The short version
Sammy Hagar says Alex Van Halen is damaging the band's legacy by refusing to acknowledge the successful years they spent together, and he's willing to talk if Alex will explain his grievances.
