Back With Van Halen: Van Halen's management confirmed Wednesday that Sammy Hagar has left the band, and that former lead singer David Lee Roth is working with the group on a new song for a greatest-hits album that will be released in October.

An SRO Management spokeswoman wouldn't speculate on Roth's future with Van Halen and had no comment on reports that the band had fired Hagar. Roth and Van Halen split bitterly 11 years ago, and the group went on to even greater success with Hagar.

Industry sources say that Roth approached guitarist Eddie Van Halen recently about participating on new songs planned for the greatest-hits collection, and the two patched up their differences.

At the same time, Hagar, whose wife recently had a baby, is said to have balked at the band's rigorous rehearsal and recording schedule.

In addition to the hits collection, Roth and Van Halen are reportedly writing material for a new album and are talking about a 1997 concert tour.