Sammy Hagar says Van Halen made a big mistake by firing him when they did in 1996.
In an interview with Rolling Stone he says, “Breaking up then was the worst timing they could have possibly done. Grunge was kicking everyone’s ass but ours. All the hair bands were taking a dump, but not Van Halen. [Our album] Balance was number-one and the tour was sold out. We were the only ones holding our own against all the grunge bands…
“I would like to have seen what Ed and I could have done as songwriters. I’m not saying I want to do it again because I think we lost that opportunity, but one of the biggest mistakes that Van Halen made was trying to break up when the world of music was changing.”
Hagar says he would not rejoin Van Halen unless bassist Michael Anthony was also in the lineup. But, he allows, “I would do a solo album with Ed. We can call it the Sam and Ed Show or the Ed and Sam Show. But there’s no such thing as a Van Halen reunion without Mikey. I think they just proved that.”
This past Thursday marked the 30th anniversary of 5150, the first Van Halen album with Hagar. In celebration, Hagar’s Cabo Wabo Cantina restaurants are serving a special 5150 drink: two ounces of Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum plus an ounce of Redhead rum poured on top. It’s served over ice in a champagne flute with a slice of lemon, a slice of orange and a mint garnish.