Lords of Metal
Arrow Lords of Metal

SAMMY HAGAR clarifies his comments about not wanting to tour: “I'm not gonna stop performing ever”

23-01-2025

Legendary rocker Sammy Hagar, who is preparing for a nine-show Las Vegas residency in the spring, has clarified his recent comments about no longer wanting to spend any time on the road.

Earlier in the month, Hagar told the Las Vegas Review-Journal: “I don’t think I want to go on tour anymore. I hate to say that, because I don’t want to piss my fans off. I’ll go out and do a one-off show and do things like that, but the residency is going to give me a good extension of my career. That’s what I’m hoping for.”

Referencing the upcoming residency, “Best Of All Worlds Tour – The Residency”, which is scheduled for April 30-May 17 at Dolby Live, the 77-year-old former VAN HALEN and MONTROSE frontman said: “With this, I don’t have to travel, I don’t have to unpack and pack and get on an airplane every day. You know, at my age, it hurts my shoulders to do all this. And I have to perform. I’m a performer, at the end of the day.”

“I keep telling my manager, ‘Don’t take any tours, let me do this residency,'” Hagar added. “If I like it enough, I’ll do another one. And if that’s successful I’ll do another one, and I can squeeze a few more years out of my career.”

On Monday (January 20), Hagar shared a video message on his Instagram in which he attempted to offer more insight into his thinking with regard to potentially touring in the future. He said:  ”The last couple of weeks, yeah, I’ve been getting all these messages from people, ‘Oh my God. You’re not gonna tour anymore.’ I didn’t say I’m not gonna tour anymore. I was referring to the residency coming up in May with Joe SatrianiMichael AnthonyKenny AronoffRai Thistlethwayte, the same ‘Best Of All Worlds’ band, ‘Best Of All Worlds’ tour. We’re gonna do a residency at MGM Park. And I’m hoping that that will be a lot easier for me than packing bags every day and getting on an airplane, flying in the next city, checking in the hotel, running a soundcheck, trying to get something to eat, go to the meet-and-greet, get to the show and then doing a show. Without all that crazy travel and all that extracurricular stuff, it should be easier for me — waking up, having a nice breakfast in the town where you’re gonna play, not having to do anything but maybe go to the gym, maybe rehearse. Yeah, man, now you’re talking. (Laughs) I’ll be chomping at the bit when it comes showtime, because I will be well rested without all that travel. I just think it’s gonna be great. And maybe I will able to squeeze fifty, a hundred more shows out of this voice and this body.

“I’m a performer,” he continued. “I like to perform, and it takes it out of you. So that’s all I’m saying, is hopefully the residency will be the answer to be able to continue on for many more years, because if not, touring is getting tough, and I will be doing less and less. And eventually, I probably won’t be able to do it at all. I mean, it’s inevitable. I’m only human. (Laughs)

“Anyway, it’s all good,” he added.” I’m not gonna stop performing ever. I will play music — live music — as long as I can. I fricking love it. Are you kidding me?

“All right, there’s your answer.”

SAMMY HAGAR & THE CIRCLE released their last album “Crazy Times” on September 30, 2022 via UMe on CD as well as digitally, with the vinyl followed on October 28, the album’s title track is available on digital and streaming platforms. The CD and vinyl configurations, including a translucent red color vinyl exclusive, are available for pre-order.

“Crazy Times” track listing:

01. Intro: The Beginning Of The End
02. Slow Drain
03. Feed Your Head
04. Pump It Up
05. Be Still
06. You Get What You Pay For
07. Crazy Times
08. Funky Feng Shui
09. Father Time
10. Childhoods End

Social media