By BLAIR S. WATSON --

Sass Jordan can't help wondering what could have been.

Confirming rumors circulating among fans of Van Halen, the raspy-voiced Canadian singer claims she auditioned to become the band's singer, replacing departed vocalist Sammy Hagar.

When she was living in Los Angeles, "I just lived down the street from Eddie (Van Halen, the group's leader)," Jordan told the Sun in a recent interview.

"He had called me up to just come over and jam. I had no idea they were looking for a new singer.... At no time did it cross my mind they would ever consider having a female singer. I thought we were just jamming."

After three weeks of "jamming," Jordan says she realized Van Halen's interest was more than a friendly exchange.

The realization freaked her out.

"I just told them that I thought it was the worst idea I ever heard in my life. I told them that I could not even conceive how ridiculous it would be to see Van Halen with a female singer. All I could think of was having to sing Hot For Teacher -- it just didn't work for me."

Jordan has since had a change of heart, although Van Halen has hired a new singer, Gary Cherone of Extreme.

The supergroup's new album, Van Halen III, the first with Cherone, hits record shops Tuesday.