Sammy Hagar addressed Alex Van Halen’s decision to ignore his era in his book in a new video posted on Instagram.
During a discussion about his new song “Encore, Thank You, Goodnight,” Hagar shared his long-held desire to honor Eddie Van Halen’s memory.
“First of all, it’s so good live. I mean, this band is amazing. But it’s been a long time coming. I wanted to do something about Eddie from the second I heard he passed. I was waiting for the family and everybody to get together and do the tribute. I was like, ‘Hey, I’m alive and I can sing the songs. We got a band who can all play.’ It never happened,” Hagar said.
Hagar expressed his admiration for Wolfgang Van Halen’s tribute approach.
“I just love what Wolfie did. How he held his record and came with the ‘Distance,’ which is the most soulful thing. I mean it breaks my heart still today when I hear it. It’s wonderful, so beautiful,” he continued.
He maintained a respectful tone while discussing his relationship with Alex Van Halen.
“Even Alex, I mean even though he left me out of the book, I’m okay with that. Go read my book if you want to know what happened during my era,” he said. “But it was a tribute to his brother. It’s like a love letter, the way I read it. It’s a love letter to Eddie. It’s been a long time coming for me. I’ve been thinking that I have to do something someday. So, this song came from a dream from a couple of years ago. I just love that fans are understanding it. It’s a love letter and a tribute. It’s straight from the heart. And it meant to kind of close that chapter a little bit.”
The release of “Encore, Thank You, Goodnight” serves as Hagar’s personal tribute to his former bandmate. This follows previous unrealized plans for an official Van Halen tribute concert.
The tribute emerged as part of a larger musical collaboration celebrating Eddie Van Halen’s legacy.
Rock and Blues Muse revealed the single’s impressive lineup. Joe Satriani handles guitar duties, while Michael Anthony plays bass and Kenny Aronoff performs on drums. Together, they created a melodic rock anthem celebrating the legendary guitarist’s legacy.
AXS TV reported the song’s official release on April 25, 2025, through Big Machine Rock. The track originated from a vivid dream Hagar experienced about Eddie Van Halen. This personal experience transformed into a touching musical tribute.
A report from People highlighted the current activities of the Van Halen family members. Alex and Wolfgang Van Halen have maintained their privacy regarding tribute initiatives. Wolfgang continues performing with his band Mammoth WVH. He occasionally shares memories of his father’s legacy during interviews.
The song marks a pivotal moment in Van Halen’s post-Eddie era. Members of the extended Van Halen family now honor the guitarist’s legacy through their individual expressions.
