# Alex Van Halen and Sammy Hagar feud

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/alex-van-halen-and-sammy-hagar-feud
> Updated: 2026-09-18T03:30:18.000Z. Sources: 22. Developments: 3.

The long-standing feud between Van Halen drummer Alex Van Halen and former frontman Sammy Hagar has escalated following recent public insults. In an interview with Brazilian journalist Marcelo Vieira, Alex Van Halen called Hagar a ‘complete idiot’ and stated he had no interest in reading Hagar’s 2011 autobiography, ‘Red: My Uncensored Life In Rock’. While Alex spoke positively of David Lee Roth’s memoir, describing it as an ‘interesting perspective’, his remarks toward Hagar reignited tensions regarding the band's history.

Hagar responded to the insults on social media, calling the comments ‘unnecessary at this time in our lives’ and adding, ‘I guess the truth hurts sometimes’. In a subsequent interview with Eddie Trunk on Sirius XM, Hagar addressed the characterization of him as an ‘idiot’ and expressed frustration over the perceived erasure of the ‘Van Hagar’ era. 

He noted that the lineup sold approximately 40 million records and achieved four number one albums, arguing that omitting this decade from Alex’s 2024 memoir, ‘Brothers’, is unfair to the legacy of the band, including the late guitarist Eddie Van Halen and bassist Michael Anthony. The rift reportedly stems from Hagar’s previous depictions of Eddie Van Halen’s struggles with alcoholism. The exchange highlights deep-seated tensions between the former bandmates, who have reportedly not spoken for over two decades.

## Claims

- Alex Van Halen called Sammy Hagar a complete idiot. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The Van Hagar era sold approximately 40 million records and produced four number one albums. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Alex Van Halen stated that the band was not the same after the departure of Dave Lee Roth. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Alex Van Halen's autobiography, Brothers, does not mention Sammy Hagar's decade with the band. (corroborated by 4 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-18: Sammy Hagar responds to Alex Van Halen's comments

Sammy Hagar has publicly challenged Alex Van Halen following the drummer's dismissal of Hagar's decade-long tenure and commercial success with the band Van Halen.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sammy-hagar-responds-to-alex-van-halens-comments

### 2026-09-08: Alex Van Halen criticizes Sammy Hagar in recent interview

Drummer Alex Van Halen called former bandmate Sammy Hagar a “complete idiot” in a recent interview, prompting a response from Hagar regarding their decades-long tension.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/alex-van-halen-criticizes-sammy-hagar-in-recent-interview

### 2026-09-05: Alex Van Halen calls Sammy Hagar a “complete idiot”

Van Halen drummer Alex Van Halen has reignited a feud with former singer Sammy Hagar, calling him a “complete idiot” in a recent interview regarding the band's history and respective memoirs.

13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/alex-van-halen-calls-sammy-hagar-a-complete-idiot

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Cite as: Alex Van Halen and Sammy Hagar feud. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/alex-van-halen-and-sammy-hagar-feud