Grammy winner Sammy Hagar reconnected with his great bandmate Eddie Van Halen before he died, aged 65, on October 6, after a decade-long battle with cancer.
The 73-year-old singer and guitarist replaced Van Halen lead singer David Lee Roth from 1985 to 1996 and then reunited with the rock band from 2003 to 2005 before Eddie ‘broke my heart’.
After Sammy’s desperate calls to Van Halen’s brother, manager and friends were not answered – comedian George Lopez contacted Hagar.
Grammy winner Sammy Hagar (L) reconnected with his late great bandmate Eddie Van Halen (R) before passing away, aged 65, on October 6, after a decade-long battle with cancer
‘George is a dear friend and was a friend of Eddie’s and said,’ Sammy, Eddie is in bad shape, he loves you brother, you need to get in touch, ‘The Circle frontman told Variety on Saturday.
‘I said,’ Give me his fucking number and I’ll call him. ‘
The 59-year-old Grammy nominee met the Amsterdam-born and raised Pasadena guitarist in 2011, and they played golf weekly before Eddie presented George with one of his Frankenstrat guitars in 2016.
Bad blood: the 73-year-old singer and guitarist replaced Van Halen lead singer David Lee Roth from 1985 to 1996 and then reunited with the rock band from 2003 to 2005 before Eddie ‘broke my heart’ (photo in 1988)
Changed numbers: after Sammy’s desperate calls to Van Halen’s brother, manager and friends were not answered – comedian George Lopez contacted Hagar (photo in 2004)
‘I said,’ Why don’t you answer? I’m getting in touch, ” the Rock & Roll Road Trip host asked Van Halen.
– And Ed said, “Why didn’t you call me? Don’t fucking call my brother!” And I said, “I love you man,” and it was like, boom, we were fine. It was a beautiful thing. ‘
Sammy also confirmed rumors that Van Halen was planning a group reunion tour before the Grammy winner’s health deteriorated.
The Circle leader told Variety on Saturday: ‘George (L, photo in 2019) is a dear friend and was a friend of Eddie (R) and said, “Sammy, Eddie is in bad shape, he loves you, brother, you need to reach Out.” I said, “Give me his fucking number and I’ll call him”
Strange couple: The 59-year-old Grammy-nominated (L) met the Amsterdam-born and raised Pasadena guitarist in 2011, and they played golf weekly before Eddie presented George with one of his Frankenstrat guitars in 2016 (photo in 2017)
“I have been insisting on this for 10 years,” noted Hagar.
‘And put [any differences] the part, aside. Let’s give fans the biggest band in the world, you know what I mean? You don’t get bigger than Van Halen, and the fans deserve to see everything, hear every song. ‘
‘The Red Rocker’ has been working hard to promote Santo Tequila with co-founder Guy Fieri and is recording his 19th studio album, Lockdown 2020, which will be released next year.
The host of the Rock & Roll Road Trip asked Van Halen: ‘I said,’ Why don’t you answer? And Ed said, “Why didn’t you call me? Don’t fucking call my brother!” And I said, “I love you man,” and it was like, boom, we were fine. It was a beautiful thing ‘(photo in 1987)
‘I’ve been pushing for this for 10 years’: Sammy also confirmed rumors that Van Halen was planning a group reunion tour before the Grammy winner’s health deteriorated (1995 photo)
‘The Red Rocker’: Hagar has been working hard to promote Santo Tequila with co-founder Guy Fieri and is recording his 19th studio album, Lockdown 2020, which will be released next year (photo 11 December)