Editing Van Halen (section)

===2003–2005: Reunion with Hagar===
[[Image:VanHalenwithHagar.jpg|thumb|right|Van Halen during their 2004 reunion period. Left to right: Michael Anthony, Sammy Hagar, Eddie Van Halen.]]
Anthony had repeatedly contacted Hagar regarding a reunion, detailing how the attempts to do the same with Roth never worked out. Eventually, Hagar decided to call Alex to spend a day together with him. The two got along and became interested in reuniting on stage.<ref name=ant/> Van Halen and Hagar reunited for a new compilation release and a summer concert tour of the U.S.{{cn|date=April 2025}}

In July 2004, Van Halen released ''[[The Best of Both Worlds (Van Halen album)|The Best of Both Worlds]]'', a double CD compilation featuring three new songs with Hagar: "It's About Time", "Up for Breakfast", and "Learning to See". These new songs were credited to Hagar/Van Halen/Van Halen, which was unusual since normally the entire lineup, which also included Michael Anthony, would be credited. However, the performance was credited to the entire band. Anthony revealed in interviews that Eddie had in fact not wanted him to be a part of the reunion, with him only joining at Hagar's insistence. The new songs had already been recorded, with Eddie playing the bass parts himself instead, and Anthony only provided backing vocals for the three tracks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/michael-anthony-speaks-candidly-about-van-halen-s-past-and-future/ |title=MICHAEL ANTHONY Speaks Candidly About VAN HALEN's Past And Future |last=Harrell |first=John "Shooter" |publisher=blabbermouth.net |date=March 17, 2006 |access-date=December 17, 2013}}</ref> No songs with Cherone from ''Van Halen III'' were included. It was certified platinum in the US in August 2004.

[[Van Halen Summer Tour 2004|The Summer 2004 tour]] grossed almost US$55&nbsp;million, and Pollstar listed Van Halen in the top 10 grossing tours of 2004.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}} Critical reviews of the tour were mixed.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}} On some shows, Eddie's son Wolfgang came onstage and played guitar with his father during "316", a song dedicated to his son, taking its name from his March 16 date of birth. During the later stages of the tour, stories of Eddie being drunk began to surface along with fan-shot video footage of poor playing.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}} At the band's final show of the tour, in Tucson, Eddie smashed one of his guitars at the end of the show.{{cn|date=April 2025}}

After the tour, things broke down. At first Hagar stated he had yet to decide what he would be doing with Van Halen, although he was still an official member of the band. Soon after, however, both Hagar and Anthony admitted that Eddie had problems with alcohol during the tour that affected everyone involved. Hagar stated that he was "done with Van Halen" and wished that everyone would have "taken it more seriously."{{citation needed|date=August 2023}} Despite this, Eddie later described himself as "satisfied" with the tour.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}}

After the tour ended, Hagar returned to his solo band [[the Waboritas]], and Anthony appeared with him on tour occasionally. The band quickly faded from view after Hagar left again.{{cn|date=April 2025}}