Sammy Hagar — the singer best known for fronting Van Halen from 1985–1996 and helping deliver a string of hugely successful albums — has publicly expressed his frustration after being left out of an upcoming Van Halen archival project spearheaded by Alex Van Halen. And it’s more than just a missed opportunity — it’s reopening old wounds that stretch back decades.
Earlier in February 2026, drummer Alex Van Halen confirmed he’s working on completing unfinished Van Halen material for a new Van Halen album, drawing from archived recordings. The project is said to feature Alex on drums and guitar parts from his late brother Eddie Van Halen, who died in 2020, with Wolfgang Van Halen (Eddie’s son) contributing bass.
But when Hagar and longtime Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony were asked during an interview on the Rock of Nations show whether they would be involved, Hagar’s response was blunt: “No — we haven’t been asked.”
Hagar didn’t just say he wasn’t invited — he explained just how much material could exist. Reflecting on the band’s early sessions together, he recalled the first time he walked into 5150 Studios to meet the Van Halen brothers. He and Anthony jammed with Eddie and Alex for about eight hours straight, recording “hundreds of hours of jam and music,” he said. That first session alone produced early versions of what would become “Summer Nights,” “Good Enough,” and beginnings of “Get Up” from the 5150 era.
To Hagar, that means there’s plenty of material featuring him and Anthony that could be part of this new release — if Alex chose to include it. “There’s so much stuff that Al could really choose from,” Hagar said, before adding pointedly, “But obviously, Al’s got a reason, and he’s Alex Van Halen — he can do whatever he wants.”
Hagar’s remarks allude to a deeper and long-running feud with Alex that has lasted more than 20 years, dating back to the troubled 2004 “Van Hagar” reunion tour, a period that ended in bitter tension between Hagar and the Van Halen brothers.
While some might have hoped time would heal old wounds, the current state of communication suggests otherwise. Hagar acknowledged that this archival project might be an “Alex Van Halen project” rather than a full band reunion, adding, “But I guess we’ll see if it ever sees the light of day.”
Anthony, for his part, sounded more open and diplomatic. He noted that if the material really did originate from sessions they all recorded together, he’d be willing to contribute vocals or bass if asked. That’s a sharp contrast to Hagar’s disappointment and highlights how differently the two feel about the situation.
Hagar and Anthony aren’t sitting still. They’re gearing up to kick off a six-date Las Vegas residency called the Best of All Worlds tour on March 11, 2026 at Dolby Live at Park MGM, alongside guitarist Joe Satriani, drummer Kenny Aronoff and keyboardist Greg Phillinganes. The set focuses on celebrating the Van Halen catalog and the music that defined their careers.
Hagar is the third Van Halen alum to speak publicly about Alex’s project — with Wolfgang Van Halen earlier saying he would support the effort in any way he could — while former singer David Lee Roth and Gary Cherone have not yet commented.
This latest chapter underscores how complex the Van Halen legacy remains, especially when it comes to how the band’s history is curated and who gets included. For Hagar, who contributed significantly to the band’s commercial peak in the 5150 through Balance era — marked by multiple No. 1 albums and chart dominance — being left out feels like more than an oversight. It’s a reminder that even legendary bands can carry lingering disagreements long after the music was made.
