Sammy Hagar has definitively closed the door on any potential reunion with David Lee Roth and shared some harsh criticism about the singer in an interview with NME.
When asked whether there was any chance of a Sam and Dave tour with the surviving members of Van Halen, Hagar was candid about his position on reuniting with former frontman David Lee Roth.
“No. I don’t have any hope to play with Alex. When you sell all your equipment and are walking around on crutches, you’re not going to tour,” Hagar said, referencing drummer Alex Van Halen’s health challenges. “And Dave, I could care less. I’ve no problem with Dave, but I wouldn’t want to tour with him again. We did it in 2002, and he was miserable. He’s no fun. He’s not what he appears to be, he’s always playing mind games.”
Hagar raised concerns about Roth’s vocal abilities and the impact on fans. “Needless to say, we’ve all heard that he’s struggling with his voice, and I wouldn’t want to bring him out with the ticket price it would be and have to apologize to people,” he explained.
Hagar expressed satisfaction with his current project instead. “I’m happy with my ‘Best of All Worlds Band’. I’ve got guitarist Joe Satriani, who is as close to Eddie as you’re going to get, and [longtime Van Halen bassist] Michael Anthony who is as much a part of Van Halen’s sound as anybody, and the legendary drummer Kenny Aronoff. This is the best band I’ve been in since Van Halen.”
Hagar’s dismissal of a Van Halen reunion reflects years of tension and failed attempts to bring the legendary band back together. Multiple obstacles have consistently prevented any collaboration from materializing, despite the possibility of reuniting the surviving members being a recurring topic in rock music circles.
Following Eddie Van Halen’s death in October 2020, there was a brief window of opportunity. Alex Van Halen and David Lee Roth began rehearsing for a potential reunion tour during this period. According to Fox News, the collaboration fell apart after a heated argument between Alex and Roth. Alex told Rolling Stone: “Dave, you gotta work as a community, motherf—–. It’s not you alone anymore.” The interpersonal conflict proved insurmountable, and the reunion plans were ultimately abandoned.
Practical limitations have also made a reunion impossible beyond the personal friction. Fox News reported that Alex suffered a spinal injury in 2022 that severely limited his mobility. Touring became an unrealistic prospect as a result. Alex also expressed philosophical reservations about simply reviving old material, stating that “playing the old songs is not really paying tribute to anybody. That’s just like a jukebox, in my opinion.”
Hagar’s criticism of Roth’s vocal abilities aligns with his previous public statements about the former frontman. Metal Injection documented that Hagar stated Roth’s voice “hasn’t aged well” and expressed that his “persona is not honest.” Despite these criticisms, Hagar has acknowledged Roth’s historical importance to the Van Halen legacy. He respects what Roth brought to rock and roll, even if he believes “it’s too bad what he’s become.”
Despite the documented tensions between the former vocalists, some levity remains between them. The Music Universe noted that Roth made light-hearted public comments about Hagar’s recent claims. He joked on stage in August 2025 about Eddie Van Halen’s “ghost” visiting him as well. This suggests that the rivalry between the two singers, while real, hasn’t completely eliminated all humor from their relationship.
