Former VAN HALEN singer SAMMY HAGAR spoke to Sfgate.com recently about a number of topics, including Van Halen's March 12th induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. An excerpt from the story found here follows:

(For Hagar) retirement is a long way away; enshrinement comes next week. Hagar will be inducted in the Hall of Fame as a vocalist for Van Halen, who were the most awesome Top of the Pops heavy metal heroes going in 1985 when the group jettisoned vocalist David Lee Roth in favor of Hagar, who had already established a successful solo career following his spell as lead vocalist of '70s heavy metal prototype MONTROSE. Hagar rode that juggernaut down the backside of the bell curve for 11 years, including four multiplatinum albums. He returned to the fold for one eventful 2004 tour. Otherwise, Van Halen after Hagar has not amounted to much. There was talk of a reunion tour this summer with Roth, who hasn't exactly prospered since leaving the band, but Hagar says that has fallen apart already. He doesn't know if erstwhile band mates Eddie and Alex Van Halen will even attend, but Hagar says he will go to the ceremony with former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony.

"He's my good buddy," Hagar says. "It's not him and us against the others. He got thrown out of the band, too. I don't think Ed and Al are going. The word I got from our management is that now they said they're not going. Roth'll be there. S -- , he's there right now. He's already got a room. I'm fine with him. I'm fine with Ed and Al. I don't talk to Eddie. I'm not mad at Eddie. I still love the guy. He's just hard to get along with.

"When we were all going, when they were gonna do their tour with Roth that just blew out -- I could have told you that; I bet money that would never happen. I would love to see it. They owe it to the fans. They should do it. I believe it's the right thing for Van Halen to do is to do a David Lee Roth reunion. Look how long it's been. It's never worked. This is the fourth abortion. There's a lot of fans out there and they've been waiting a long time for this. And it's gotta happen someday. We did it -- they should do it. Before it blew out, everybody was going. But the word now was, from Ed and Al, 'we're not playing.'"

The band will be inducted by VELVET REVOLVER (after RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS were unavailable), who will perform a medley of Van Halen music.