In a recent ‘Storytime’ video on his YouTube channel, Sammy Hagar discussed Alex Van Halen’s initial reaction to his song ‘Eagles Fly’ from the solo album ‘I Never Said Goodbye.’
Hagar explained that he recorded the album, his final project with Geffen Records, before Van Halen started working on their ‘OU812’ album. Eddie Van Halen joined him during the recording sessions.
Recalling the moment, Hagar said, “So, I remember I’m at the studio. I’m playing [‘Eagles Fly’] for Ed, and Alex is standing in the background, and I’m going, you know, [Plays the song]… on guitar, acoustic. And Alex goes, ‘Sounds like John Denver.’ [Laughs] I never forget it.”
“I’m going, ‘Yeah. What’s wrong with that? John’s a bad mother[f*cker].’ Shut your mouth, but I’m talking about John. And anyway, it was just such a funny reaction.”
After the album was completed, with Eddie Van Halen playing bass on the track, Alex heard the finished version and had a change of heart. The singer shared, “Alex heard it on the record, and he goes, ‘Hey, man, you should have saved that for Van Halen.’ I said, ‘Dude, don’t you remember what you said about that song?’”
“It was just really ironic that it was one of his favorite songs. One of Eddie’s favorite songs of mine that I ever wrote,” he added. “And it should have been on a Van Halen record. That would have been unbelievable if it would’ve been on ‘OU812.’ But it is what it is, and it’s a song that I will play for the rest of my life.”
Released as the second single from ‘I Never Said Goodbye’ in October 1987, ‘Eagles Fly’ was performed live by Van Halen with Hagar during tours in 1993 and 1995.
The track has recently appeared in Hagar’s setlist for his ongoing Best of All Worlds Tour. Given his comments, it seems likely to be included in his upcoming Las Vegas residency with Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani, and Kenny Aronoff.
