The Wild Truth About Sammy Hagar's Identity | Finding Your Roots | PBS

An irregularity in census research leads to a DNA test, revealing a surprising truth hidden in Sammy Hagar's family tree. It turns out that Sammy's DNA does not match his father's line, meaning genetically, he's not a Hagar at all.

For the last four decades, Sammy Hagar has been one of rock music's most dynamic and prolific artists, amassing 25 Platinum albums on sales surpassing 50 million worldwide. His decades-long career has spanned breaking into the industry with the seminal hard rock band Montrose and his multi-platinum solo career to Hagar’s ride as the frontman of Van Halen, Chickenfoot, and now his latest supergroup, The Circle. Along his journey, he has set the tone for some of the greatest rock anthems ever written, including "I Can't Drive 55," "Right Now" and "Why Can't This Be Love," and has earned himself the highest respect of the music industry with a Grammy Award and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Hagar is also a dedicated philanthropist, two-time New York Times best-selling author, and an auspicious entrepreneur.

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Finding Your Roots
Renowned scholar Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. guides influential guests into their roots, uncovering deep secrets, hidden identities and lost ancestors. Using genealogical detective work and cutting-edge DNA analysis, Gates guides influential guests deep into the branches of their family trees, revealing surprising stories of forgotten ancestors that transcend borders, illuminating an American root system fortified by its diversity.

[paulemain]

My daughter was gifted a dna test. She took it only to find out at 50……my biological father was not the man that raised me. Rocked our world. I went from farmer to jones in one 30 minute conversation. The only place I can suggest anyone to start processing this info is Mercy, Grace and Forgiveness.

[aces]

Love Sammy he's a golden retriever. He seems truly happy and content human being. Gosh I just love him.

[pakababy]

He'll always be Sammy Hagar to us!

[tonypalmentera]

I thought when he turned that page it was gonna say, "Roth", like he and David Lee are related lol...

[ChrisConnolly-Mr.C-Dives-In]

Sammy said he was buckled up, but he still can’t drive 55.

[garylaviolette]

I saw Sammy Belcher in 1985 or 86 in Honolulu while in the Navy. Belcher or Hagar the dude only knows one way to rock!

[campmag]

Montrose, Hagar, Chickenfoot, Waborito, Belcher - makes no difference, Sammy is one of a kind and will always be The Red Rocker.

[BC]

His era in Van Halen will now be known as "Van Belcher."

[sandinista]

Sammy Belcher is my favorite Van Halen singer

[rathiyo]

I was afraid he was going to turn out to be a "Roth"

[baranduyn]

Maybe Elizabeth had an affair, maybe it wasn't consensual. There is always that possibility. Maybe it was a one off. We'll never know. There's no evidence she had a continuing relationship with Belcher. People make a lot of assumptions but I wind up frustrated because there's so much we simply don't know. In the end all that matters is that the child was healthy and produced a descendant that has the pipes of the gods.

[PapagenoMF]

Hagar is Dutch or German, and Belcher is French/Norman. I wonder if he's gonna expand his alcohol empire to include wine now?

[sweetcaroline]

I just love Sammy's response. I'm Blown away, wow this happens all the time in real life, deep in American revolutionary roots, this is lunacy, Carl Sagan & Steven Hawkings stuff, my minds gonna work on this like a mouse on a wheel of cheese! What an incredible mind and curiosity Sammy has, instead of letting his ego go down a rabbit hole just jumped into how interesting the information was! Brilliant. After seeing this I have a whole new insight of how interesting Sammy the human being is.

[MapleJames]

Man, I love Sammy, he's such a great dude.

[ericharmon]

My wife discovered a family controversy when she did DNA and ancestry research. She found that her great grandmother had a child that was not of her sur name. She has been trying to unlock what actually happened ever since.

[theninjacat]

Sammy handled that like a champ. Most folks have an identity crisis thereafter...

[rosameryrojas-delcerro]

There is no guarantee that his great granny Elizabeth had an affair. Alam could have left her for another reason and THEN she had a child with Belcher Jr. Since we have no clue what year he left, and if the younger child was/wasn't Alams child, an affair by Elizabeth is speculation.

[patricemitchell]

The same thing happened and I too found out later in life, and yes the story was taken to the grave. People and their secrets.

[steveec]

Make no mistake Sammy is the red rocker🤘

[algoenespanol]

Sammy's phone: 11 missed calls from a bunch of Belchers