Sammy Hagar recently explained his decision to continue performing Van Halen material with Michael Anthony. He addressed the reasoning behind their current lineup in an interview with WMMR.
The former Van Halen frontman discussed how he and bassist Michael Anthony decided to assemble a group of top-tier musicians to keep the Van Halen legacy alive for disappointed fans.
“Great lineup. And there’s a reason for that lineup,” Hagar said. “I’ve played with great musicians throughout my life in my career. I’m really fortunate to play with the some of the best guitar players in the planet.”
He explained the motivation behind forming the current group with Anthony.
“And it came time to Mikey and I say, ‘Let’s go out and make the Van Halen fans happy.’ They’re sitting there waiting,” he continued. “There’s no way there’s going to be a reunion. It’s over now. Dave’s out there back now. But at the time, he was retired. And Mike and I said, ‘Let’s go do it. But how are we going to do it? Let’s go find the best guys to play the music.’ And that was that lineup. And everyone said yes.”
Hagar also shared an amusing observation about recruiting guitarists for the project.
“It’s so funny. When you ask a guitar player to cover Eddie Van Halen’s material, you either get a ‘Are you crazy?’ or you get a ‘Hell yes.’ And Joe said, ‘Hell yeah,'” he noted.
Hagar’s commitment to preserving Van Halen’s legacy extends beyond live performances. He continues to honor Eddie Van Halen’s memory through various musical projects.
Bourbon and Vinyl reported that Hagar recently released a new single titled “Encore, Thank You, Goodnight,” inspired by a dream about Eddie Van Halen. The track was co-written with Joe Satriani and features Michael Anthony on bass and Kenny Aronoff on drums. It serves as a heartfelt farewell to his Van Halen years.
The song showcases a soaring guitar solo that channels Eddie’s spirit while retaining Satriani’s unique style. Hagar described the track as “my final bow to that part of my life.” He plans to debut the song live during the kickoff of his Las Vegas residency, The Best of All Worlds, at Dolby Live.
Beyond his Van Halen tribute work, Van Halen News Desk revealed that Hagar was recently announced as part of the all-star lineup for Ozzy Osbourne’s final performance at Villa Park in Birmingham, UK, scheduled for July 5. The event will feature the original Black Sabbath lineup performing together for the first time in nearly 20 years.
Hagar expressed excitement about joining the event. He highlighted the significance of sharing the stage with legendary musicians and reaffirmed his enduring presence in rock music circles beyond Van Halen. This appearance demonstrates his continued relevance in the rock community and his ability to collaborate with music’s biggest names.
The comments highlight Hagar’s dedication to preserving Van Halen’s musical legacy through live performances with carefully selected musicians. He continues to honor his past and contribute to the broader rock community.
