Have Sammy Hagar And Michael Anthony Been Asked To Join Alex Van Halen’s New Album?
No — both confirmed they have not been invited to participate in the recordings Alex Van Halen is completing from unfinished Eddie-era sessions.
TL;DR
- Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony say they were not asked to join Alex Van Halen’s new project
- The album is built from unfinished recordings meant for the next Van Halen record before Eddie’s death
- Drums, guitar and bass are already recorded; vocals are missing
- Wolfgang Van Halen plays bass on most of the material
- Alex and Steve Lukather are currently searching for the right vocalist
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This Isn’t Just Vault Filler — It’s Potentially The Last True Van Halen Statement
I’ve covered enough Van Halen history to know that nothing involving this band is ever straightforward.
In a new interview with Rock Of Nations With Dave Kinchen And Shane McEachern, both Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony were asked directly whether they’re involved in the album Alex Van Halen is assembling with Steve Lukather.
The answer was blunt.
“No. We haven’t been asked,” Hagar said.
That’s significant.
Alex has been working through incomplete recordings originally intended to become the next Van Halen record before Eddie Van Halen died in 2020. These aren’t scraps. The drums, guitar, and bass were tracked. What’s missing are vocals — and the final structural polish.
If this project sees release, it may represent the last true musical chapter built from Eddie’s hands.
That’s why this matters now.
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Sammy Hagar: There’s Plenty Of Material
Hagar didn’t sound angry — but he was clearly disappointed.
He pointed out that Van Halen historically recorded everything. During his first day at 5150 Studios, the band jammed for eight hours. From that session alone came early versions of “Summer Nights,” “Good Enough,” and the beginnings of “Get Up” from the 5150 album.
He says hundreds of hours of material exist featuring himself, Michael Anthony, Eddie, and Alex.
In other words: if Alex wanted to include them, the vault is deep.
But Hagar also acknowledged the obvious.
“It’s an Alex Van Halen project,” he said, suggesting this may not technically be a full Van Halen record — even if it carries that weight.
Still, his words hit.
“We’re still alive. We’re out here doing it.”
That line lingers.
Michael Anthony: Maybe It Should Be Instrumental
Anthony offered a more reflective take.
Speaking previously to WNCX, he suggested that if the goal is to do this properly, perhaps the album should remain instrumental — a pure tribute to Eddie’s playing.
Adding a new singer, he argued, could complicate things. It turns the project into something else entirely.
That idea carries weight, especially after fans responded strongly to “Unfinished,” the final piece Alex and Eddie wrote together. It had no vocals — and it didn’t need them to resonate.
If you’ve been listening to the Loaded Radio stream lately, you already know how powerful the instrumental side of this band still feels decades later.
What Is Steve Lukather Actually Doing?
There was confusion last year when reports implied Steve Lukather would play guitar on the album.
He shut that down immediately.
“I will NOT EVER play a guitar note on a VH song ever!” Lukather wrote publicly.
Instead, his role is structural. Alex calls him the “connective tissue.” Someone who can help shape, arrange, and refine without replacing Eddie’s presence.
That distinction is critical.
Lukather and Eddie shared a long musical history, including work on Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.” There’s mutual respect. Trust. History.
This isn’t about imitation. It’s about finishing what was already there.
The Vocalist Question
Originally, Alex hoped Paul Rodgers would step into the role. Rodgers ultimately declined, admitting he couldn’t physically commit.
Alex has made it clear he wants someone from the same era — someone who understands the shared musical experience that shaped Van Halen’s DNA.
He’s not looking for youth. He’s looking for depth.
Robert Plant was mentioned as an ideal possibility, though nothing is confirmed.
The challenge is obvious.
The wrong voice makes this feel like a tribute experiment.
The right voice could make it historic.
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Is This Truly A Van Halen Album?
That depends on how you define it.
The material was intended for a Van Halen record. Wolfgang Van Halen handles most of the bass. Alex is deeply protective of the quality.
But Sammy and Michael’s absence raises questions about identity.
Is this a band statement?
Or a brother finishing a story?
Legacy is fragile. Especially when it involves one of the most influential guitarists in rock history.
FAQ
Is Sammy Hagar involved in the new Van Halen album?
No. Hagar confirmed he has not been asked to participate.
Is Michael Anthony contributing to the project?
No. Anthony also confirmed he has not been invited.
Will Steve Lukather play guitar on the album?
No. Lukather clarified he will not play guitar, serving instead in a production and structural role.
Who recorded the bass on the unfinished tracks?
Most of the bass parts were recorded by Wolfgang Van Halen during the original sessions.
Is there a confirmed singer for the album?
No. Alex Van Halen and Lukather are still searching for the right vocalist.
Van Halen Bio
Van Halen formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972 and became one of the most influential hard rock bands of all time. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, the band redefined guitar-driven rock through Eddie Van Halen’s revolutionary playing style.
Eddie passed away on October 6, 2020, at age 65 due to cancer complications. Rolling Stone ranked him No. 8 on its list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists.
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