Sammy Hagar says he believes Van Halen will likely make a comeback next year in a new interview with Rolling Stone.
Van Halen have been on an extended hiatus since the completion of a 2015 tour, with a number of reports last year indicating that guitarist Eddie Van Halen is being treated for throat cancer.
“Eddie had a lot of health issues, but I heard he got it together,” says Hagar, who hasn’t spoken with the rocker since his appearance on an ill-fated 2004 reunion tour. “I pray for the guy and I love the guy.”
Last year, frontman David Lee Roth revealed his belief that Van Halen is "finished", and went on to resume solo performances in 2020 in Las Vegas and as an opener on the KISS farewell trek.
Hagar – who has sent mixed message to fans through the years with his on-again/off-again interest in reuniting with Van Halen since his original departure in 1996 – is currently back on wish list mode.
“My dream tour is the Sam and Dave tour with Ed, Al and Mike,” says Hagar. “Let [Van Halen bassist] Wolfie put his band together and open. I have a son, Andrew Hagar, who makes great music. Let Andrew open, let Wolfie play with his band in the middle and then have the Sam and Dave tour where we do an hour each. An hour with Dave songs and an hour with me.
“I’m not predicting what’s going to happen, but I would tell you if there’s concerts next year, Van Halen will probably be on tour next year…
"Whether it’s Sam and Dave or not, I don’t know that either. But I know that Eddie and I are not done. If enough water goes under the bridge before we die, it’ll happen. It has to. God is going to slap us both around if he has to.”
Read more of Hagar’s interview at rollingstone.com.
This week, Hagar and The Circle cancelled their summer US tour due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
See also:
Sammy Hagar performs Van Halen classic in new Lockdown Sessions video
David Lee Roth postpones Las Vegas residency shows
VIDEO: David Lee Roth rocks Van Halen classics on KISS farewell tour debut
VIDEO: David Lee Roth delivers Van Halen classics at Las Vegas residency opening
Search Van Halen at hennemusic
