Alex Van Halen’s Blunt Criticism of Sammy Hagar Deepens the Rift Between Van Halen’s Competing Eras

The longstanding feud between Alex Van Halen and Sammy Hagar shows no signs of cooling, as the legendary drummer once again made clear where he stands on his former bandmate. During a September 3 interview with Brazilian journalist Marcelo Vieira — who translated Alex’s memoir Brothers into Portuguese — the 73-year-old drummer didn’t mince words when discussing the 2011 book penned by the former frontman.

Alex Van Halen’s Harsh Words About Sammy Hagar’s Memoir

While Alex Van Halen spoke appreciatively about David Lee Roth’s 1997 autobiography, Crazy From the Heat, his tone shifted dramatically when the conversation reached Hagar’s memoir, Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock. “I don’t know what he wrote, and I don’t wanna know,” Alex reportedly stated, according to a translation published by Roadie Crew. “In my opinion, Sammy Hagar is a complete idiot.”

The remark is characteristic of the kind of unfiltered commentary that has come to define the deteriorating relationship between the two musicians over the years. Rather than offering a diplomatic critique, Alex dismissed the entire memoir outright — signaling that whatever Hagar wrote about his time in Van Halen holds no value in the drummer’s eyes.

The Unfinished Archival Project Excludes Former Members

The recent verbal exchanges come amid a growing rift over an archival project being developed by Alex Van Halen from unfinished Van Halen recordings. Sammy Hagar, 78, recently revealed during a February appearance on Rock of Nations that neither he nor bassist Michael Anthony has been approached about participating.

“No. We haven’t been asked, number one,” Hagar said on the program. He expressed confidence that a substantial body of unreleased material exists from that lineup, noting that the band recorded extensive jam sessions during album sessions that could yield a treasure trove of previously unheard tracks.

“I’m disappointed that Mike and I wouldn’t be invited. It’s, like, what? Are you kidding me? We’re still alive. We’re out here doing it. We’re playing those songs. We can still do it, you know?”

— Sammy Hagar, Rock of Nations, February 2026

Two Eras, Two Frontmen, One Complicated Legacy

Understanding the depth of this tension requires looking at Van Halen’s two distinct eras. David Lee Roth served as the band’s original frontman, guiding them through their formation and early breakthrough in the late 1970s and early 1980s. When Roth departed in 1985, Sammy Hagar stepped into the role and helmed the band through an enormously successful run beginning with 1986’s 5150, which featured Alex Van Halen, Eddie Van Halen, and Michael Anthony alongside the new vocalist.

Both frontmen have since published memoirs that offer competing narratives of the band’s history. Roth’s 1997 autobiography presented his perspective on his departure and the years that followed, while Hagar’s 2011 memoir offered a detailed account of his tenure and the circumstances surrounding his own exit. These competing stories have contributed to the perception that Van Halen’s legacy remains fractured along the fault lines of its two most iconic singers.

Sammy Hagar’s Frustration Over Exclusion

Although Hagar acknowledged that the archival project ultimately falls under Alex’s purview as the driving force behind its completion, he made clear that being left out stings. His comments suggest a belief that the material recorded during his era deserves to be heard — and that the musicians who created it should have a voice in how it is presented to the public.

Hagar emphasized that he and Anthony remain active musicians, still performing and capable of contributing to any project that involves the band’s catalog. His insistence that they are “still alive” and “still doing it” carries an implicit argument that their exclusion may not be about capability or availability, but rather about personal animosity.

No Van Halen Reunion in Sight

While fans have long harbored hopes for a Van Halen reunion, Alex Van Halen’s latest comments make it clear that such a scenario remains distant — at least for the foreseeable future. The archival project, while potentially yielding valuable material from the band’s catalog, appears to be proceeding without the involvement of two key members from the Hagar era.

The situation is further complicated by the continued absence of Eddie Van Halen, who passed away in October 2020, and the fact that any archival release would represent the last opportunity to hear the guitarist’s work in a new context. The emotional weight of that reality likely adds another layer of complexity to the decisions being made about how the band’s unfinished recordings are handled.

What Fans Can Expect From the Archival Release

No timeline has been announced for the release of the archival project, and details about which recordings will be included remain under wraps. However, the fact that Hagar and Anthony — two essential components of one of the band’s most commercially successful periods — are not being consulted suggests that whatever emerges will reflect a singular artistic vision rather than a collaborative effort.

Where Things Stand Between the Band’s Key Players

The relationship between Alex Van Halen and Sammy Hagar appears to have deteriorated to a point where reconciliation, at least in the near term, seems unlikely. Alex’s willingness to characterize Hagar as “a complete idiot” in a published interview indicates that any goodwill that may have once existed has been thoroughly exhausted. Meanwhile, Hagar continues to express hope that the band’s unfinished legacy will at least acknowledge the contributions he and Anthony made during their years leading Van Halen.

Looking Ahead: The Future of the Van Halen Catalog

As the music world awaits further developments on the archival project, one thing is certain: the story of Van Halen continues to be shaped by competing narratives and unresolved tensions. The band’s catalog remains one of the most celebrated in rock history, but the question of who gets to tell its story — and who gets to be part of that process — is far from settled.

For now, fans will have to rely on the published memoirs, the occasional interview, and whatever Alex Van Halen ultimately decides to release from the vaults. Whether those releases will offer reconciliation or simply reinforce the divisions that have defined the band’s recent history remains to be seen.

This story was originally published by Parade on Sep 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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