Former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar shared whether he had plans to reunite with the other Van Halen members during his interview with News-Herald. The musician said everything was up to his bandmate and drummer, Alex Van Halen.
Shortly before guitarist Eddie Van Halen’s death on October 6, 2020, their longtime fans were looking forward to a new studio album and tour with the famous lineup. However, following the guitar icon’s passing, the remaining members, especially his son Wolf Van Halen, stated Van Halen couldn’t exist without Eddie. This meant that Van Halen’s years of creating, recording, and performing had come to an end, which disappointed their fans.
Recently ex-Metallica bassist Jason Newsted unveiled that Alex Van Halen and David Lee Roth asked him to perform as a part of the tribute concerts, which he regretted leaking in a moment of excitement. Then, the talented guitarist Joe Satriani confirmed that they also approached him to play guitar for that tour but added that nothing was certain. Their statements were in several websites’ headlines for weeks. In his interview, the reporter wished to know Hagar’s views on this topic.
The Red Rocker stated that Newsted is a great musician, but Michael Anthony is still alive. He added that Van Halen’s manager reached out about a reunion, and he wasn’t interested. Hagar highlighted that he enjoyed his ongoing project. Still, he noted that an offer from Alex and a lineup including him, Anthony, and a guitarist could change things. He also reminded everyone that Eddie Van Halen is irreplaceable and admitted he is not sure whether Van Halen could exist without Eddie.
Sammy Hagar said in his interview that:
“What’s that about, Jason Newsted playing bass for Van Halen? Great guy. Great musician. But in Van Halen? No, not when Mikey’s still here and alive to do it.
I, too, had been approached by Van Halen’s management with a similar idea but was not interested. I’m so happy with everything I’m doing now; I don’t think I’d go back there. If Alex was interested, it might be something to talk about with him and Mikey, a superstar guitar player. But it’s not Van Halen without Eddie, so I don’t know.”
Even though Hagar revealed that he could return to Van Halen after years if Alex Van Halen wanted him to, it seems almost impossible. The main reasons behind that can be Roth’s presence and the drummer’s life in seclusion. It appears that Van Halen fans will have to wait for a long time.
