Rock legend Sammy Hagar recently opened up about his preference for band collaboration over solo artistry. He shared candid insights about his stage persona in an interview with Circle Country.
The former Van Halen frontman addressed his comfort level as a performer when asked about his affinity for being in a band rather than pursuing solo work.
“I’m really not a solo artist. I’ve had probably as much success as a solo artist as it has, you know, in bands. Like Montrose didn’t have any success originally. Van Halen had tons of success, but you know like I’m in a band now I call it the Circle,” Hagar said. “I like having band members, you know, I don’t like having all that pressure and I don’t feel comfortable being a star. I really don’t.”
Hagar elaborated on his preference for group dynamics over solo stardom.
“I like being a part of a group much better. It’s so much more comfortable. People think I’m very confident, you know, like I talk about this very rarely, but for some reason I’m willing to talk to you about it,” he continued.
The rocker then revealed a surprising aspect of his stage presence. He admitted to feeling uncomfortable during performances.
“Well, it’s so funny because I’m very uncomfortable as as an artist on stage and when I come out on stage and I see videos of myself and I go, geez, wow, you know, wow, you’ve been feeling good that night or whatever. But just something happens and it’s not a fake switch. It just I when I get in front of people, I’m so uncomfortable that I become a little bit outgoing and more of a reckless person and I’ll say and do anything,” Hagar explained.
He concluded by describing the aftermath of his performances and his naturally reserved personality.
“And then I come off stage and I’m I don’t think I’ve ever walked off stage without my wife or one of my kids or my manager or somebody saying, ‘Wow, I can’t believe you said that.’ Or, ‘I can’t believe you did that.’ You know, just some little stupid thing and I’m going, ‘I can’t believe it either.’ you know, cuz in general I’m very shy,” he said.
Hagar’s current band, The Circle, exemplifies his commitment to collaborative music-making. It provides the supportive environment he craves as a performer.
Red Rocker reported that The Circle formed in 2014 as an acclaimed supergroup featuring Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees Sammy Hagar and bassist Michael Anthony, along with drummer Jason Bonham and guitarist Vic Johnson. The band represents a reunion of sorts for Hagar and Anthony, who previously worked together during Hagar’s tenure with Van Halen from 1985 to 1996.
The supergroup has maintained an active touring schedule since its formation. This demonstrates Hagar’s preference for live performance within a band setting. Concert Archives documented that The Circle has performed 244 concerts since their inception. This showcases their commitment to bringing their collaborative sound to audiences worldwide.
Beyond touring, The Circle has also ventured into studio work. This further cements their status as more than just a touring act. ZRockR noted that the supergroup released their first studio album, marking a significant milestone in their collaborative journey. It provides Hagar with the creative outlet he finds most comfortable.
The band’s continued success reflects Hagar’s long-standing belief that music is best created and performed as a collective effort. This allows him to channel his energy into the group dynamic rather than shouldering the pressure of solo stardom alone.
