Sammy Hagar Called 'An Idiot' By Alex Van Halen

Alex Van Halen gave an interview to Brazilian music journalist Marcelo Vieira, who translated Alex's memoir Brothers for its Brazilian edition, and when asked about Sammy Hagar's 2011 autobiography Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock, he did not mince words.

"I don't know what he wrote, and I don't wanna know. In my opinion, Sammy Hagar is a complete idiot." That was the full quote. No context. No elaboration. The two have not spoken in more than 20 years.

Hagar responded, and suggested the real explanation is simpler and sadder. He told Rolling Stone he believes Alex is angry because Hagar and former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony are still out there playing Van Halen songs live while Alex can no longer perform.

"He's not a singer. He's not a guitar player. He is not really a band leader. And he seems like he doesn't want to play drums or can't play drums anymore," Hagar said, noting that Alex's spinal injury has made it difficult to play. "I think Al's angry because I'm out doing it, Mike and I are out doing it and he can't."

Despite the jab, Hagar stopped short of firing back in kind. He called the ongoing dispute "just water under the bridge" and said he would rather put it all to rest.

Hagar also confirmed he and Anthony have not been asked to participate in the archival project Alex is developing from unfinished Van Halen recordings, something Hagar said disappointed him, given that they were part of that music.