Sammy Hagar says he has no intention of ever working with Alex Van Halen again, comparing their fractured relationship to the long-running feud between David Gilmour and Roger Waters of Pink Floyd.
The former Van Halen frontman reflected on the breakdown in his relationship with the band’s drummer in a new interview with Classic Rock, saying some musical partnerships simply reach a point where reconciliation becomes impossible.
Hagar compares Van Halen fallout to Pink Floyd split
Hagar explained that seeing the decades-long tension between Gilmour and Waters helped him understand how creative relationships can deteriorate beyond repair.
“I’m the biggest Pink Floyd fan. I see David Gilmour say, ‘I will never play with Roger Waters again,’ and I know what he means.”
“I feel that way about Alex Van Halen. They’re negative people.”
The comparison echoes one of rock’s most famous internal disputes. The tensions between Waters and Gilmour intensified during the late 1970s and early 1980s as Waters increasingly controlled the band’s creative direction.
After Waters left Pink Floyd in 1985 and attempted to dissolve the group, Gilmour and drummer Nick Mason continued under the band name, triggering a legal battle that left lasting resentment between the former bandmates.
Revisiting the Van Halen years
Hagar joined Van Halen in 1985 following the departure of original singer David Lee Roth and remained the band’s frontman until 1996. He later returned for a second stint between 2003 and 2005.
During his tenure, the band released several chart-topping albums including 5150, OU812, For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge and Balance, helping cement Van Halen’s place as one of the biggest rock acts of the era.
Hagar now says he feels increasingly comfortable performing songs from that period again on tour.
Michael Anthony keeps the music alive
The singer credits longtime bassist Michael Anthony, who plays in his current touring band, with making those performances feel authentic.
“Because Mike Anthony’s in the band I feel good about playing a lot of Van Halen stuff, because no one will ever hear it again.”
“And that was the biggest part of my career. It was the biggest band in the world.”
Hagar has been incorporating more Van Halen material into his live shows, arguing that the songs deserve to continue being heard even if the original lineup will never reunite.
Tension with Alex Van Halen continues
The relationship between Hagar and Alex Van Halen has been strained for years. In 2022, Hagar revealed that he had attempted to contact the drummer following the death of guitarist Eddie Van Halen but never received a reply.
He later said he had been effectively “ghosted” after trying to reach Alex by email and phone.
Speaking previously to Rolling Stone, Hagar said he had even asked former Van Halen manager Irving Azoff for insight into the dispute.
“I’ve asked him, ‘What’s the problem?’”
One possible theory was that the tension stemmed from the Cabo Wabo Cantina nightclub business the band launched in Mexico in the 1980s. Hagar later bought out his bandmates and turned it into a successful brand, but he insists that deal should not have caused resentment.
“How the f*** could they be angry about that? They gave me the damn thing.”
“He’s going to take it to his grave”
Hagar believes Alex’s frustration may instead stem from the fact that he continues to tour and perform while the drummer has largely stepped away from music.
“He’s not a singer. He’s not a guitar player. He is not really a band leader.”
“And I think that really bothers him that Mike and I are still out there doing it.”
The singer has previously suggested that Alex’s feelings toward him may never change.
“He’s got something against me that he’s going to take to his grave.”
Hagar says retirement will come when the voice goes
Despite being 76, Hagar says he has no immediate plans to retire from performing.
However, he insists he will step away the moment his voice no longer meets his own standards.
“When I can’t sing any more… that will be it.”
“I can hit a falsetto, I can sing low, I can do my screams, I can sing any song I’ve ever written.”
“I’m still great at what I do, otherwise I wouldn’t be doing this. And when I’m not, I won’t. But I still don’t have a plan.”
For now, Hagar says he remains focused on touring and keeping the music from his Van Halen years alive for audiences who still want to hear it.
