Sammy Hagar Expresses Disappointment Over Lack of Recognition for Van Halen's '5150' Anniversary: A Look at the Ongoing Feud with Alex Van Halen
Sammy Hagar recently expressed disappointment over Alex Van Halen's lack of acknowledgment of the 40th anniversary of Van Halen's "5150" album. Hagar took to Instagram to share his frustration, highlighting the significance of the record and the fans' continued support during a recent Vegas residency where they performed songs from the album. Despite the milestone, Hagar noted the absence of any recognition from Alex Van Halen, questioning why he had not posted anything about the anniversary.
The "5150" album marked Hagar's debut studio collaboration with Van Halen and became their first number-one album on the Billboard 200 chart. However, the absence of acknowledgment from Alex Van Halen has reignited tensions between the former bandmates, leading to a public feud that has been escalating throughout 2026. This conflict goes beyond a mere disagreement over anniversary celebrations and delves into deeper issues surrounding Van Halen's legacy and the band's future direction.
Reports from Fox News indicate that Hagar has made it clear that he will not collaborate with Alex Van Halen again, drawing parallels to the strained relationship between Pink Floyd members David Gilmour and Roger Waters. In a recent interview with Classic Rock magazine, Hagar emphasized the negativity in his relationship with Alex Van Halen, suggesting that their differences may be irreconcilable. The ongoing feud, which has spanned over two decades, has intensified in recent years, with Hagar dismissing any possibility of reconciliation in multiple interviews throughout 2026.
Hagar has been vocal about Alex Van Halen's limitations as a performer without Eddie Van Halen, stating that Alex lacks the ability to write new music and lead the band forward. This criticism comes as Alex plans a final Van Halen album with Steve Lukather, excluding both Hagar and original frontman David Lee Roth from the project. The exclusion of Hagar from Alex's 2024 memoir "Brothers" further adds to the underlying tensions between the two musicians, highlighting the complexities of their strained relationship and the challenges of moving forward as former bandmates.