Sammy Hagar Plays “Right Now” In Howard Stern Show
via The Howard Stern Show / Youtube
Embarking on a mission to complete what he initiated, Sammy Hagar, the rock and roll frontman and former lead singer of Van Halen, made a noteworthy return to the Howard Stern Show on November 14, 2023.
His purpose extended beyond regaling Howard with captivating tales from the pinnacle of hard rock’s glory days. Hagar was also thrilled to unveil the formation of a fresh supergroup, comprising the talents of longtime Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony, second-generation drum virtuoso Jason Bonham, and guitar maestro Joe Satriani.
This formidable quartet, set to embark on a Best of All Worlds Tour next year, took the stage for their first public performance in Howard’s studio.
They delivered renditions of classic Van Halen hits like “Right Now” and “5150”, all while paying tribute to musical pioneers, including Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin, as well as Hagar’s late former bandmate, Eddie Van Halen, who succumbed to cancer in 2020.
Going Deep into the Van Halen Catalogue
Having toured extensively with numerous bands throughout his career, Hagar expressed a unique sentiment during his collaboration with the new supergroup.
For the first time since parting ways with Van Halen, Hagar felt a sense of camaraderie on stage, sensing that he was joined by musicians capable of delivering a fitting tribute to Eddie Van Halen and his extraordinary guitar artistry.
Discussing their musical direction with Howard, Hagar emphasized their intent to dive deep into the Van Halen catalogue. He underscored the indispensability of Satriani for such a venture, stating, “If you’re going to go deep into the Van Halen catalogue, you need Joe Satriani.”
Furthermore, Hagar revealed the band’s plan to perform Van Halen classics that predated his own tenure with the group. Unfazed by this, he asserted, “I got no problem with that. I did it when I was in Van Halen. We did “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love”, we even did “Jump”. This is really a celebration of all that, and we are the only ones who can do it.”
Invitations to Van Halen Founding Members
Hagar shared that he and his band are poised to collaborate with numerous prominent guest musicians during their upcoming tour. In a bold move, the Red Rocker even extended a heartfelt invitation to the founding members of Van Halen, namely Alex Van Halen and David Lee Roth.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Hagar declared, “If Alex Van Halen wants to jump out, if David Lee Roth wants to come out and join us — come on motherfuckers, you are welcome. This is about Van Halen!”
Howard, visibly intrigued by the potential for an authentic Van Halen reunion, inquired about the likelihood of Sammy’s estranged former bandmate, Alex, accepting the invitation. Hagar responded optimistically, stating, “I’ve reached out to Al about once a month for about five years now … I call, I leave a voice message, I text, and I send an email. … I say, ‘Hey Al, we ain’t getting any younger. Give me a call.’”
Regardless of the lineup on stage, Sammy and his bandmates eagerly anticipate the opportunity to deliver a once-in-a-lifetime performance. Describing it as his “legacy tour,” Sammy emphasized the significance of this musical journey, stating, “And Mike and I, our quote is ‘Let’s go finish what we started.’ See what I’m saying?”
Finishing what they started
Following their appearance and performance on The Howard Stern Show on Sirius Channel 100, Hagar, Anthony, Satriani, and Bonham engaged in a press conference right after. Hosted by Eddie Trunk, the conference was broadcast on November 15th, on Trunk Nation/Faction Talk Channel 103.
On the same day, Sammy was featured in interviews on Access Hollywood and Access Daily. Additionally, on Thursday, November 16th, he conversed with Rob Lowe on his podcast Literally! With Rob Lowe.
The upcoming tour comes on the heels of the remarkable success of The Collection II, a box set released on October 6th. This compilation features newly remastered versions of the four consecutive No. 1 albums from the Hagar era of Van Halen: 5150 (1986), OU812 (1988), For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (1991), and Balance (1995). These albums contain a plethora of hits, some of which haven’t been performed live since the band’s 2004 reunion tour.
With Anthony, Satriani, and Bonham having collaborated in various phases of Hagar’s career, including Van Halen, Chickenfoot, and The Circle, fans can anticipate a setlist featuring rock anthems spanning four decades.
