Ex-VAN HALEN vocalist Sammy Hagar recently spoke with Classic Rock Revisited founder Jeb Wright about his new album, Cosmic Universal Fashion. Following is an excerpt from the interview.

Jeb: Does Cosmic Universal Fashion give you any freedom from being away from Van Halen?

Sammy: "The eleven years I spent in Van Halen, and the one-year reunion we did, are deep in my roots and my soul. I could never say I was never in the band. It was a huge part of my life and I am proud of the music we made. I would still be happy to be in that band if it weren't for the fact that they can't seem to be able to make a recording anymore. They could have Dave or Sammy for a singer if they wanted. Eddie can play bass, drums and keyboards. He owns his own studio in his house. He doesn't even have to leave his house to record. His brother plays awesome drums and lives down the street. Why can't they make an album?

When I did the reunion with them in 2004, my idea was to make a CD first. Everyone said okay. We went into the studio and four months later we barely had three songs done. To be quite honest with you, they were semi-inferior to the level of recording we had done in the past. It was impossible trying to get music out of that organization. We ended up having to rush out on tour without a new CD. I was part of another greatest hits package, which is why I got thrown out of the band the first time, because I was rebelling against a greatest hits package. My point is, that the last record we made was in 1993. They have done one album after that with Gary Cherone. What is wrong? Everyone is going, 'Why can't Sammy get along with these guys?' The first reason is that I need to make new music and go out and tour constantly because I love it. It is not about the money. I need to do it. I can't sit around seven or eight years twiddling my thumbs waiting for someone to write a song. I am much more prolific than that. With that said, that is what happened to Van Halen."

Go to this location for the complete interview.