Showing posts with label Sammy Hagar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sammy Hagar. Show all posts

Friday, April 24, 2026

Sammy Hagar revises Best Of All Worlds UK dates

Sammy Hagar has announced a revised itinerary for his forthcoming UK tour, bringing his Best of All Worlds Tour to a series of more intimate, tech-forward performing arts venues.

Inspired by the breakthrough success of his recent Las Vegas residency at Dolby Live, where advanced sound and immersive technology redefined the live experience, the July 2026 dates have been reconfigured to prioritise similar venues across the UK. The updated routing also allows for a special multi-night run in London, where Hagar and the band will be among the first artists to headline the soon-to-open British Airways ARC.

The 2026 series – which marks Hagar’s his first UK tour since 1996 – celebrates his 50+ year catalogue of hits, including the deepest dive yet into his tenure with Van Halen.

“After waiting 30 years to come back, we really wanted to get this right,” says Hagar. “Several factors pushed us toward revising this tour but after wrapping our Las Vegas residency last month at Dolby Live where the sound, the technology, and the more intimate size really lets us connect with the audiences, it was clear that we wanted to deliver an experience like that for our fans in England. When I heard our promoter was opening a similar tech-forward venue in London that really sealed the deal for me. Three nights, a fresh set every night, and I get to stay in London, one of my favorite cities in the world, for a week. That’s the Best of All Worlds!”

The band thanks fans for their continued support and looks forward to delivering this newly enhanced live experience across the UK.

Fans who purchased tickets for the original UK dates will be contacted directly and offered priority presale access for the new shows, along with a 10% merchandise offer on show nights.

Tickets are now on sale.

Pick up some Sammy Hagar here and Van Halen for your collection here.


Sammy Hagar
"The Best Of All Worlds"
2026 U.K. tour

Jul 06 - Wolverhampton, UK @ University Of Wolverhampton At The Civic Hall
Jul 07 - Manchester, UK @ O2 Apollo Manchester
Jul 09 - London, UK @ British Airways ARC
Jul 11 - London, UK @ British Airways ARC
Jul 12 - London, UK @ British Airways ARC

Saturday, April 18, 2026

Van Halen stream remastered Live Without A Net concert

Van Halen is streaming the concert film, “Live Without A Net”, as part of a recently released series of an expanded 40th anniversary editions of its 1986 album, “5150”.

The band was captured during an August 27, 1986 show at New Haven Veterans Memorial Coliseum in New Haven, CT as part of its first tour with new singer Sammy Hagar, which was in support of the “5150” album.

The 2026 package also introduces more than 90 minutes of previously unreleased live recordings from the New Haven concert.

The LP/3CD/Blu-ray collection via Rhino Records includes the 1986 album remastered directly from the original master tapes, overseen by the band’s longtime engineer Donn Landee.

Standalone versions of "5150" featuring the remastered album and rarities are also available as a 2CD set or a 2LP on black vinyl.

Pick up some Van Halen for your collection here.



Sunday, March 29, 2026

Van Halen stream Best Of Both Worlds from 5150 anniversary edition

Van Halen is streaming an official HD remastered live video of “Best Of Both Worlds” in sync with the Rhino Records release of an expanded edition of their 1986 album, “5150”.

The performance from the newly-remastered HD and Blu-ray edition of the group’s “Live Without A Net” set at an August 27, 1986, concert at New Haven Veterans Memorial Coliseum in New Haven, CT.

The package also introduces more than 90 minutes of previously unreleased live recordings from the New Haven concert.

The “5150” reissue marks the 40th anniversary of the band’s first album with Sammy Hagar, which also marked the group’s first US No. 1 album.

The LP/3CD/Blu-ray collection includes the 1986 album remastered directly from the original master tapes, overseen by the band’s longtime engineer Donn Landee.

Standalone versions of 5150 featuring the remastered album and rarities are also available as a 2CD set or a 2LP on black vinyl.

Pick up some Van Halen for your collection here.



Saturday, March 14, 2026

Van Halen preview expanded 40th anniversary edition of 5150

Van Halen is previewing an official HD remastered live video of “Why Can’t This Be Love” as a preview to its inclusion in the forthcoming release of an expanded edition of their 1986 album, “5150”.

Due March 27 via Rhino Records, the reissue arrives in sync with the 40th anniversary of the band’s first album with Sammy Hagar, which marked the group’s first US No. 1 album.

The LP/3CD/Blu-ray collection includes the 1986 album remastered directly from the original master tapes, overseen by the band’s longtime engineer Donn Landee. Additionally, an Amazon-exclusive green vinyl version will be available the same day.

The set also introduces more than 90 minutes of previously unreleased live recordings from the band’s August 27, 1986, concert at New Haven Veterans Memorial Coliseum in New Haven, Connecticut.

The Blu-ray includes a new high-definition upgrade of “Live Without a Net”, Van Halen’s double-Platinum 1986 concert video that was also recorded that same August night in New Haven.

Standalone versions of 5150 featuring the remastered album and rarities will also be available the same day as a 2CD set or a 2LP on black vinyl.

Pick up some Van Halen for your collection here.



Saturday, February 7, 2026

Van Halen expand 5150 for 40th anniversary reissue

Van Halen will release an expanded edition of their 1986 album, “5150”, next month to mark its 40th anniversary.

The band’s seventh studio set was their first with singer Sammy Hagar, who joined the lineup following the departure of David Lee Roth.

“5150” marked the band’s first No. 1 album with hits like “Why Can’t This Be Love,” “Dreams,” and “Best Of Both Worlds”, and continued their streak of multi-Platinum releases.

Due on March 27 via Rhino Records, the LP/3CD/Blu-ray collection includes the 1986 album remastered directly from the original master tapes, overseen by the band’s longtime engineer Donn Landee. Additionally, an Amazon-exclusive green vinyl version will be available the same day.

The set also introduces more than 90 minutes of previously unreleased live recordings from the band’s August 27, 1986, concert at New Haven Veterans Memorial Coliseum in New Haven, Connecticut. These are joined by a selection of rare 7” single edits and extended 12” versions. The Blu-ray includes a new high-definition upgrade of "Live Without a Net", Van Halen’s double-Platinum 1986 concert video that was also recorded that same August night in New Haven, along with promotional videos for “Dreams” and “Why Can’t This Be Love.”

Standalone versions of 5150 featuring the remastered album and rarities will also be available the same day as a 2CD set or a 2LP on black vinyl.

Van Halen are previewing the reissue with the live version of “Summer Nights” from the New Haven show, along with the HD remastered video.

Pick up some Van Halen for your collection here.



Sunday, January 18, 2026

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Sammy Hagar announces Best Of Both Worlds US tour

Sammy Hagar has announced US dates for the Best Of Both Worlds tour.

The Red Rocker will be joined by The Best Of All Worlds Band, including legendary guitarist Joe Satriani, fellow Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and longtime Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony, and powerhouse drummer Kenny Aronoff, with special guest Rick Springfield.

The lineup – which presents “a deep dive” into the Van Halen catalog – released “Sammy Hagar & The Best Of All Worlds Band: The Residency”, a hit-filled live album captured during a 2025 run in Las Vegas.

"We're celebrating the legacy of the music and bringing it to a whole new generation of fans," says Hagar.

The US dates launch June 13 in St. Louis, MO, and conclude June 27 at MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, MD.

Tickets will go on sale Friday, January 16 at 10 a.m. local time and artist/Red Rocker/Citi presales begin Tuesday, January 13 at 10 a.m. local. Visit RedRocker.com for more information.

The newly announced shows continue the momentum of Hagar's top-grossing 2024 "Best Of All Worlds" tour, his 2025 hit Las Vegas residency which returns to Dolby Live in Las Vegas beginning in March, and a summer U.K. tour in July.

Pick up some Sammy Hagar here and Van Halen for your collection here.

Sammy Hagar
The Best Of All Worlds

US tour 2026

Jun 13 - Hollywood Casino Amphitheater - St. Louis, MO
Jun 14 - Ruoff Music Center – Noblesville, IN
Jun 17 - Soaring Eagle Casino – Mt. Pleasant, MI*
Jun 19 - Pine Knob Music Theatre – Clarkston, MI
Jun 22 - PNC Bank Arts Center – Holmdel, NJ
Jun 24 - Xfinity Center – Mansfield, MA
Jun 26 - MGM National Harbor – Oxon Hill, MD* #
Jun 27 - MGM National Harbor – Oxon Hill, MD* #

* Not a Live Nation date
# Shows without Rick Springfield


Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Sammy Hagar announces Best Of All Worlds UK tour

Sammy Hagar’s top-grossing Best Of All Worlds Tour is headed to the UK for an arena tour kicking off on July 4, 2026.

The Red Rocker will be joined by The Best Of All Worlds Band, including legendary guitarist Joe Satriani, fellow Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and longtime Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony, and powerhouse drummer Kenny Aronoff, with special guest Joan Jett And The Blackhearts and opening act Jayler.

Sammy returns to the UK for his first tour since 1996, with a setlist celebrating his legendary 50+ year catalog of hits, including the deepest dive yet into his tenure with Van Halen.

The July 2026 tour will hit Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds, ending with a grand finale at London’s O2 Arena.

Tickets go on general sale on Friday, October 31 at 10 AM, GMT at the usual outlets.

Hagar originally launched the series with a Las Vegas residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM this past spring before releasing “Sammy Hagar & The Best Of All Worlds Band: The Residency”, a hit-filled live album captured during his 2025 run.

Hagar and the band will return to the Las Vegas venue for more residency dates in March and September.

Pick up some Sammy Hagar here and Van Halen for your collection here.


Sammy Hagar
The Best Of All Worlds

UK tour 2026

Jul 4 - Manchester - Manchester AO Arena
Jul 5 - Birmingham - Birmingham BP Pulse Live
Jul 7 - Leeds - Leeds First Direct Bank Arena
Jul 9 - London - London O2 Arena

Monday, September 15, 2025

Sammy Hagar announces 2026 Best Of All Worlds Las Vegas residency

Sammy Hagar will return to Las Vegas next year for more shows in his residency series “The Best Of All Worlds.”

Following a successful 2025 run at to Dolby Live at Park MGM, Hagar – with bandmates Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani, Kenny Aronoff and multi-instrumentalist Rai Thistlethwayte – will focus on Sammy’s solo career, his work with Montrose and Chickenfoot, and what is being billed as “a deep dive into the Van Halen years” when the lineup performs shows in both March and September.

“I can’t tell you how hard it’s been not to leak this announcement,” says Hagar. “I must say those last nine shows were some of the best shows I’ve done in my life. I love this band like no other and can’t wait to do it again. One listen to the live residency record coming out and you will understand this is my idea of retirement!!!! Beats golf any day.”

Hagar will release “Sammy Hagar & The Best of All Worlds Band – The Residency,” a 19-track live album recorded during his first Dolby Live run, on October 10, 2025 via Big Machine Rock.

A Citi cardmembers presale runs from Tuesday, September 16 at 10 a.m. PT until Thursday, September 18 at 10 p.m. PT through the Citi Entertainment program; artist fans will have access to a presale beginning Tuesday, September 16 at 10 a.m. PT.

SiriusXM, Live Nation and Ticketmaster customers will receive access to a pre-sale beginning Wednesday, September 17 at 10 a.m. PT. Members of MGM Rewards, MGM Resorts’ loyalty rewards program, will receive access to a pre-sale beginning Thursday, Septemeber 18 at 10 a.m. PT. All pre-sales will end Thursday, September 18 at 10 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the 11 shows go on sale to the public Friday, Septemeber 19 at 10 a.m. PT at ticketmaster.com.

Pick up some Sammy Hagar here and Van Halen for your collection here.

Sammy Hagar
“The Best of All Worlds”

Las Vegas Residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM

Mar 2026: 11, 13, 14, 18, 20, 21
Sep 2026: 18, 19, 23, 25, 26



Monday, August 25, 2025

Sammy Hagar announces The Residency live album

Sammy Hagar will release “Sammy Hagar & The Best Of All Worlds Band: The Residency”, a hit-filled live album captured during his 2025 Las Vegas residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM, on October 10 via Big Machine Rock.

Featuring Hagar and The Best Of All Worlds Band – Michael Anthony (bass, vocals), Joe Satriani (guitar), Kenny Aronoff (drums), and Rai Thistlethwayte (keyboards, vocals, guitar) – the live album captures 18 tracks celebrating Hagar’s catalog, including the deepest dive into his tenure with Van Halen in more than 20 years, rounded out with solo material and a tune from his first group, Montrose.

In addition to his Eddie Van Halen tribute, “Encore, Thank You, Goodnight”, Hagar is sharing his take on a 1986 Van Halen classic.

“‘Summer Nights’ was one of the first songs we wrote for the ‘5150’ record, on our very first day in the studio,” says Hagar. “Eddie played me that guitar riff and I just started singing ‘summer nights and my radio,’ and the rest of the lyrics just came out like a river of consciousness. I don’t think there’s a better theme song for a beautiful summer night, so it had to be the first track this summer from the live album.”

Hagar has a pair of live dates in the US next month before heading to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico for his annual birthday bash series in October.

Pick up some Sammy Hagar here and Van Halen for your collection here.



See also:

Search Van Halen at hennemusic

Sunday, August 17, 2025

Van Halen tops the hennemusic Hot 10

Van Halen tops this week’s hennemusic Hot 10.

The band is streaming audio of a UK performance of “Feelin’”, from the newly-released 30th anniversary edition of “Balance.”

Read all about it and stream the live recording in this week’s top story!

The HH10 is a list of the most-viewed rock news stories in the past week by hennemusic readers.


hennemusic Hot 10
week ending August 17, 2025

01 – Van Halen stream 1995 UK performance of Feelin’
02 – Sammy Hagar releases live version of Eddie Van Halen tribute
03 – David Gilmour streams trailer for Live At The Circus Maximus
04 – Robert Plant releases new Saving Grace single Gospel Plough
05 – Scorpions preview Blackout from Coming Home Live
06 – David Gilmour to release Luck And Strange concert film and live album
07 – Robert Plant announces debut album with Saving Grace
08 – Metallica stream Moth Into Flame from second Denver show
09 – David Gilmour tops the hennemusic Hot 10
10 – Def Leppard announce 2026 Las Vegas residency

See also:

Aug 10: Stevie Nicks
Aug 03: David Gilmour
Jul 27: Ozzy Osbourne
Jul 20: Alter Bridge
Jul 13: Ozzy Osbourne

Thursday, August 14, 2025

Van Halen stream 1995 UK performance of Feelin’

Van Halen is streaming audio of a UK performance of “Feelin’”, from the forthcoming 30th anniversary edition of “Balance.”

The recording – captured during a June 24, 1985 show at Wembley Stadium – is featured alongside a handful of songs from the London show as broadcast by the BBC, as well as audio and video rarities as part of the August 15 release of “Balance (Expanded Edition)”.

Available as a 2LP/2CD/Blu-ray deluxe set including the original album – remastered for 2023’s “The Collection II” – the project features several restored promo videos, including “Can’t Stop Lovin’ You,” “Amsterdam,” and “Not Enough.”

Standalone versions of “Balance” will also be available, including a 2CD set with the album and rarities, and a 2LP black vinyl and 2LP orange vinyl pressing that presents the full album on vinyl for the first time in 30 years. Here, the complete album spans three sides, for optimal audio quality, with a Balance-era etching on the fourth.

Originally released on January 24, 1995, “Balance” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and was certified triple Platinum by the RIAA for US sales of 3 million copies.

“Balance” marked the final studio album recorded by the lineup of Sammy Hagar, Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, and Michael Anthony.

Pick up some Van Halen for your collection here.


See also:

Search Van Halen at hennemusic

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

Sammy Hagar releases live version of Eddie Van Halen tribute

Sammy Hagar has released a live version of his Eddie Van Halen tribute song, “Encore, Thank You, Goodnight.”

The track captures a performance of the tune during Hagar’s spring mini-series, which was billed as “The Best Of All Worlds Tour - The Residency” that saw the Red Rocker joined by Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani and Kenny Aronoff to present a new “only in Las Vegas” show that delivered a different setlist each night of the run at Dolby Live at Park MGM.

"Make sure you crank this up LOUD,” says Sammy, “it sounds sooooo good!”

Hagar was inspired to write the single after a dream he had about reconnecting with Eddie about a year after his passing in 2020.

For two years, the song remained little more than a rough iPhone recording, some scribbles, and a vivid memory of a dream. But earlier this year, he decided it was time to finish it with help from Satriani.

“I thought, ‘I’ll never write a song with Eddie again. This is the closest I can come to it,'” said Hagar. “When I told Joe about the dream and played him the thing he went, ‘Oh man. Hell yeah. Let’s finish that. That’s a cool song.'”

“This song is my final bow to that part of my life,”
Sammy explains. “It’s not meant to be anything more than a thank-you – with love, with respect, and with one hell of a guitar solo.”

Add some Sammy Hagar to your collection here.


See also:

Search Van Halen at hennemusic

Thursday, July 10, 2025

Sammy Hagar performs Flying High Again at Ozzy Osbourne farewell event

Sammy Hagar performed the 1981 classic, “Flying High Again”, at the Ozzy Osbourne farewell concert at Birmingham’s Aston Villa this past weekend.

Hagar was joined on the lead single from “Diary Of A Madman” by a supergroup that featured Extreme’s Nuno Bettencourt, Living Colour’s Vernon Reid, Tool’s Adam Wakeman, bassist Rudy Sarzo, and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith.

Following the song, Reid left the stage as event music director Tom Morello joined the lineup for a cover of “Rock Candy”, a track from the 1973 self-titled debut by Montrose, Hagar’s first band.

Billed as “Back To The Beginning”, July 5 event saw the farewell performances by both Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath, where they were joined by a number of guest artists paying tribute to the influential heavy metal band.

Proceeds from the concert event will go to the Cure Parkinson’s, Acorns Children’s Hospice and Birmingham Children’s Hospital charities.

Add some Ozzy to your collection here.



See also:

K.K. Downing rocks Judas Priest classic at Black Sabbath farewell show
Black Sabbath reunite for farewell performance
Ozzy Osbourne delivers final live performance
Metallica rock Black Sabbath farewell show
Search Black Sabbath at hennemusic

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Van Halen stream 1995 UK performance of The Seventh Seal

Van Halen are streaming audio of a UK performance of “The Seventh Seal”, from the forthcoming 30th anniversary edition of “Balance.”

The recording – captured during a June 24, 1985 show at Wembley Stadium – is featured alongside a handful of songs from the London show as broadcast by the BBC, as well as audio and video rarities as part of the August 15 release of “Balance (Expanded Edition)”.

Available as a 2LP/2CD/Blu-ray deluxe set including the original album – remastered for 2023’s “The Collection II” – the project features several restored promo videos, including “Can’t Stop Lovin’ You,” “Amsterdam,” and “Not Enough.”

Standalone versions of “Balance” will also be available, including a 2CD set with the album and rarities, and a 2LP black vinyl and 2LP orange vinyl pressing that presents the full album on vinyl for the first time in 30 years. Here, the complete album spans three sides, for optimal audio quality, with a Balance-era etching on the fourth.

Originally released on January 24, 1995, "Balance" debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and was certified triple Platinum by the RIAA for US sales of 3 million copies.

“Balance” marked the final studio album recorded by the lineup of Sammy Hagar, Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, and Michael Anthony.

Pick up some Van Halen for your collection here.


See also:

Van Halen expand Balance for 30th anniversary reissue
David Lee Roth announces US tour
Wolfgang Van Halen releases new single The End
Sammy Hagar releases video for Eddie Van Halen tribute song
Search Van Halen at hennemusic

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Van Halen expand Balance for 30th anniversary reissue

Van Halen will release an expanded edition of their 1995 album, “Balance”, to mark the project’s 30th anniversary.

Due August 15, “Balance (Expanded Edition)” will be available as a 2LP/2CD/Blu-ray deluxe set including the original album – remastered for 2023’s “The Collection II” – along with a selection of audio and video rarities; the package also contains several unreleased live recordings from the Balance Tour.

“Balance (Expanded Edition)” pulls together a selection of non-album tracks from the period, including the B-side “Crossing Over,” along with “Humans Being” and “Respect the Wind” from the Twister soundtrack; also featured are eight performances from the band’s 1995 Wembley Stadium appearance, which was broadcast by the BBC.

The Blu-ray features several restored promo videos, including “Can’t Stop Lovin’ You,” “Amsterdam,” and “Not Enough.”

Standalone versions of “Balance” will also be available on August 15, including a 2CD set with the album and rarities, and a 2LP black vinyl and 2LP orange vinyl pressing that presents the full album on vinyl for the first time in 30 years. Here, the complete album spans three sides, for optimal audio quality, with a Balance-era etching on the fourth.

Originally released on January 24, 1995, "Balance" debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and was certified triple Platinum by the RIAA. The album produced rock radio hits like “Can’t Stop Lovin’ You” and “Don’t Tell Me (What Love Can Do),” and introduced deeper cuts like “Big Fat Money” and “Aftershock.” It marked the final studio album recorded by the lineup of Sammy Hagar, Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, and Michael Anthony.

Van Halen are previewing the newly-announced project with a previously-unreleased live clip of “The Seventh Seal,” filmed at the Target Center in Minneapolis in July 1995.

Eddie Van Halen passed away in 2020 at the age of 65 from a stroke and other issues following a lengthy battle with cancer.

Pick up some Van Halen for your collection here.



See also:

David Lee Roth announces US tour
Wolfgang Van Halen releases new single The End
Sammy Hagar releases video for Eddie Van Halen tribute song
Sammy Hagar releases new song inspired by Eddie Van Halen dream
Search Van Halen at hennemusic

Monday, April 28, 2025

Sammy Hagar releases video for Eddie Van Halen tribute song

Sammy Hagar has released a video for “Encore, Thank You, Goodnight”, a new single inspired by a dream he had about reconnecting with Eddie Van Halen a year after his passing in 2020.

The song – which features Hagar on vocals, Michael Anthony on bass, Joe Satriani on guitar and Kenny Aronoff on drums – remained little more than a rough iPhone recording, some scribbles, and a vivid memory of a dream before the Red Rocker decided it was time to finish it with help from Satriani.

“I thought, ‘I’ll never write a song with Eddie again. This is the closest I can come to it,'” Hagar says. “When I told Joe about the dream and played him the thing he went, ‘Oh man. Hell yeah. Let’s finish that. That’s a cool song.'”

Rather than being a somber farewell, the song is a celebration and expression of appreciation – for the fans, and for the unforgettable chapter they shared in Van Halen.

“This song is my final bow to that part of my life,” says Hagar. “It’s not meant to be anything more than a thank-you – with love, with respect, and with one hell of a guitar solo.” Hagar also shared that Satriani’s contribution to the track brought a unique emotional energy. “Joe was the perfect partner to help me shape the sound – he brought in that big, emotional, guitar-driven energy that feels like Eddie’s spirit but is entirely of Joe’s creation. With Michael Anthony’s thundering bass and stellar Van Halen-esque background vocals and Kenny Aronoff’s relentlessly powerful driving rhythms, the song really came together on all levels.”

Hagar and the band will launch “The Best Of All Worlds Tour - The Residency” at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas on April 30.

Add some Sammy Hagar to your collection here.


See also:

Sammy Hagar releases new song inspired by Eddie Van Halen dream
Sammy Hagar announces Best Of All Worlds Las Vegas Residency
Stream final song written by Alex and Eddie Van Halen
Alex Van Halen announces Brothers book events
Search Van Halen at hennemusic

Saturday, April 26, 2025

Sammy Hagar releases new song inspired by Eddie Van Halen dream

Sammy Hagar has released a new single inspired by a dream he had about reconnecting with Eddie Van Halen about a year after his passing in 2020.

“Encore, Thank You, Goodnight” features Hagar on vocals, Michael Anthony on bass, Joe Satriani on guitar and Kenny Aronoff on drums. The production – helmed by Hagar, Satriani, and Eric Caudieux – delivers a sound that is at once nostalgic and forward-looking.

According to Hagar, the dream that sparked the song and left a lasting impact came about a year after Eddie’s death.

“(Eddie) had a guitar around his neck and we were having a love fest since we hadn’t seen each other in a long time,” Hagar tells Rolling Stone about the vivid dream. “And he just started playing this riff, and I started singing.”

Hagar quickly awoke. “I just grabbed a pad and a pencil,” he said. “And I got my iPhone, my wife’s screaming, ‘What are you doing?’ I said, ‘Writing a song!’ It just kept coming and coming. When I got up the next day, I grabbed my guitar and started to figure out the chords.”

For two years, the song remained little more than a rough iPhone recording, some scribbles, and a vivid memory of a dream. But earlier this year, he decided it was time to finish it with help from Satriani.

“I thought, ‘I’ll never write a song with Eddie again. This is the closest I can come to it,'” Hagar says. “When I told Joe about the dream and played him the thing he went, ‘Oh man. Hell yeah. Let’s finish that. That’s a cool song.'”

Rather than being a somber farewell, the song is a celebration and expression of appreciation – for the fans, and for the unforgettable chapter they shared in Van Halen.

“This song is my final bow to that part of my life,” says Hagar. “It’s not meant to be anything more than a thank-you – with love, with respect, and with one hell of a guitar solo.” Hagar also shared that Satriani’s contribution to the track brought a unique emotional energy. “Joe was the perfect partner to help me shape the sound – he brought in that big, emotional, guitar-driven energy that feels like Eddie’s spirit but is entirely of Joe’s creation. With Michael Anthony’s thundering bass and stellar Van Halen-esque background vocals and Kenny Aronoff’s relentlessly powerful driving rhythms, the song really came together on all levels.”

Hagar and the band will launch “The Best Of All Worlds Tour - The Residency” at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas on April 30.

Add some Sammy Hagar to your collection here.


See also:

Sammy Hagar announces Best Of All Worlds Las Vegas Residency
Stream final song written by Alex and Eddie Van Halen
Alex Van Halen announces Brothers book events
Stream preview of final song written by Alex and Eddie Van Halen
Search Van Halen at hennemusic