Van Halen drummer Alex Van Halen has sparked fresh controversy after sharing his thoughts on his former bandmates’ memoirs. Alex was asked to weigh in on David Lee Roth’s 1997 memoir “Crazy From the Heat” and Sammy Hagar’s 2011 book “Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock” while promoting his own recently released book, “Brothers.”
The comments come amid an ongoing feud between Alex and Sammy that has intensified in recent years. Alex did not hold back when addressing Hagar’s book.
“I don’t know what he wrote, I don’t wanna know,” Alex Van Halen said. “In my opinion, Sammy Hagar is a complete idiot.”
In contrast, Alex offered a more favorable assessment of Roth’s memoir, praising its tone and reflection of the singer’s personality. He also noted some shortcomings in its structure.
“It’s quite fun and accurately reflects his sense of humor,” Alex continued. “Although the text is somewhat abstract and loses its train of thought at times, it’s still a very interesting perspective on that era.”
The remarks add another chapter to a rift between the two rockers that has been building for months. The dispute shows little sign of cooling down.
Hagar has made his own feelings about Alex clear in recent public statements, insisting the two men have not spoken in more than two decades. He has drawn a hard line on any future collaboration, framing his former bandmate’s demeanor as the core of the problem.
“I feel that way about Alex Van Halen. They’re negative people,” Hagar said, comparing Alex to Roger Waters while explaining why he believes a reunion will never happen.
The tension has only deepened since Alex announced an archival project built around unfinished recordings by his late brother, Eddie Van Halen. Neither Hagar nor longtime bassist Michael Anthony was invited to take part, a decision that left both men frustrated. It further widened the gap between the surviving members of the band.
Hagar publicly expressed his disappointment over being excluded from that project, calling it a missed opportunity to honor Eddie’s legacy collectively rather than through a single member’s vision.
Alex’s “Brothers” memoir, written as a tribute to his late brother, has become the backdrop against which these tensions continue to play out. The book’s release, along with Alex’s candid commentary promoting it, has reignited a decades-old dispute. Both men continue to trade pointed remarks through the press, with no signs of resolution.
