Sammy Hagar recently shared a fascinating story about Alex Van Halen and a little track called Eagles Fly. In a candid video on his YouTube series, ‘Storytime,’ Hagar opened up about the track’s journey, Alex’s unexpected reaction, and why it never made it onto a Van Halen album.
Eagles Fly—a soaring, heartfelt track—was born during Sammy Hagar’s time recording his final album with Geffen Records, I Never Said Goodbye. This was just before Van Halen started working on their 1988 album, OU812. Interestingly, Eddie Van Halen joined Sammy in the studio, but not on guitar—Eddie played bass for the sessions.
Sammy recalls playing the track acoustically in the studio for Eddie and Alex Van Halen. And that’s where things got interesting.
“So, I remember I’m at the studio,” he continued. “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.”
Fast forward to when the album was complete. Alex heard Eagles Fly on the final recording, and his reaction couldn’t have been more different. But Sammy, ever quick-witted, reminded Alex of his earlier critique. For Sammy, the song also remains deeply personal.
“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.”
Eagles Fly went on to become one of Hagar’s signature solo tracks, released as the second single from I Never Said Goodbye in October 1987. But its journey didn’t stop there. Van Halen themselves performed the song live during their 1993 and 1995 tours, showcasing its universal appeal.
