Sammy Hagar Not Interested On Van Halen Tour Without Michael Anthony

Sammy Hagar ignored the talk about the alleged Van Halen tribute tour. He seemed confused about it, especially by the idea of former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted taking part in the said tour instead of Michael Anthony.

Hagar asked the News-Herald:

“What’s that about Jason Newstead playing bass for Van Halen?”

He defended:

“Great guy, great musician – but in Van Halen? No, not when Mikey’s still here and alive to do it.”

The artist admitted that he passed when Van Halen management approached him about taking part in any tribute. Hagar added:

“I’m so happy with everything I’m doing now, I don’t think I’d go back there.

“Maybe if Alex was interested, it might be something to talk about, with him and Mikey and a superstar guitar player. But it’s really not Van Halen without Eddie, so … I just don’t know.”

Newsted turned heads back in April when he said Alex Van Halen had approached him about a possible Van Halen tribute tour, with Joe Satriani filling in for the late Eddie Van Halen. Newsted said:

“How could you?

“There’s nobody that can top it, so how do you show it honor? I didn’t want it to be viewed as a money grab, and then it kind of just all fizzled.”

Those comments ignited a firestorm of speculation, criticism, denial and cryptic replies from fans, musicians and Van Halen alumni. For instance, Anthony confirmed he’d been in touch with Alex Van Halen, David Lee Roth and Satriani about a potential tribute tour, but the talks didn’t get far.