Sammy Hagar recently chatted with USA Today, discussing how much he missed former bandmate Eddie Van Halen, the late rocker’s ability always to create something new, and why it was such a ‘shame’ the way Van Halen ended.
Although the Red Rocker had a successful solo career of his own right since separating ways with Van Halen in 1996, he still defines his time with the act as ‘something else‘ while fondly recollecting the good old days. So, Hagar had a few things to say when the host questioned whether it hurt to become estranged from Eddie and the band in the years following his dismissal.
The rocker expressed how much he ‘cherished’ Eddie by recalling his memory nowadays while also describing how it was such a shame that his run with Van Halen ended a bit messily. It felt to him that alcohol and substances played a role in the messiness of his departure, claiming that if the band were still together to this day, they would be headlining every festival worldwide.
Still, he had nothing but love and respect for Van Halen, as he recalled the guitarist’s intelligence and creative talent of coming up with something new all the time and forming impressive riffs in brief moments, mostly while jamming. So, it felt like Sammy got caught up deep in memory lane, as he seemed determined not to forget the fun times with his former bandmates.
Hagar on whether it hurt to be estranged from Eddie and the act:
“I cherish him [Eddie] more than ever. What happened with us at the end was such a shame. It’s what happens when alcohol and drugs are involved, and I’m going through a divorce. It’s such a shame. If Van Halen were still together today, we’d be headlining every one of these festivals all over the world.
I miss his [Eddie’s] unique creativity. He’d play something, and I’d go, ‘What, where the hell did that come from?’ He was so out of left field, so original, that creativity always lifted me.”
Well, Sammy seems to be craving nostalgia, as he recalled the good old times with Van Halen while remarking it was such a shame the way he separated ways with the act. Still, he wished to remember the better days, those fun times without any storms or turbulence, and fondly praised Eddie’s musical genius while doing so.
