Sammy Hagar Unveils Fifth Powerhouse Member for His 2024 Superband Tour
via Tim Bracken / YouTube
Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony have put together a remarkable band for this summer’s Best of All Worlds tour, which will bring back to life their glory days with Van Halen. Alongside their buddy Jason Bonham on drums, they’ve got the guitar genius Joe Satriani, another friend from their Chickenfoot days, ready to nail Eddie Van Halen’s legendary guitar parts. Their tour is set to kick off this Saturday in West Palm Beach, and fans couldn’t be more excited.
Introducing Rai Thistlethwayte
Adding a twist to the lineup, a fifth member has been teasing fans in Hagar’s recent social media posts from their tour rehearsals. Rai Thistlethwayte, known for his work with Satriani and as the lead of the Australian band Thirsty Merc, is the latest addition. Thistlethwayte is no stranger to the music scene, having been the frontman and main songwriter for Thirsty Merc for over two decades and performing solo under the name Sun Rai.
“I’m so happy to have Rai,” Hagar shares. “He’s playing the parts and singing the background vocals. His voice sounds so good with Mike’s and mine. It sounds so much like the record, the vocals, more than anything. It’s above and beyond what I expected. I thought it was going to be good and we all had high expectations, but it’s chemistry, you know? You never know until you all get in there.”
Thistlethwayte’s entry means Hagar can focus more on belting out vocals rather than juggling guitar duties. “You know, I hope the fans don’t get pissed. Because a lot of my fans want me to play more guitar,” Hagar admits with a laugh. “But I don’t have to play more guitar. With him around, it’s like, there’s a couple of songs that I would have had to play guitar on, a couple of Van Halen songs that have two really distinct parts, especially during the solo.”
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Rehearsals, Technology, and Fresh Dynamics
So far, the band has rehearsed over 30 songs, with the majority being Van Halen classics. Shifting from pre-recorded tracks to a live keyboardist like Thistlethwayte has had a significant impact. “That’s really awesome. That’s the whole key now, it’s like, ‘Wow, we can play this song, instead of sitting there and playing to a track.’ It’s like people who use teleprompters. You know, I don’t use those, because I don’t like to read the lyrics to the audience. That’s like playing to a track [for me], it’s the same kind of vibe.”
Fans might notice a subtle shift towards a more structured performance due to Hagar’s investment in a new, high-tech stage and lighting setup. “We’ve got a big production. I spent a fortune on a production that we built for this thing,” explains Hagar. The rock star, known for his off-the-cuff performances, hints at a mix of spontaneity and planned magic for concertgoers. “Mike and I just go out and we just party and the audience parties with us. That’s wonderful. We’re still going to do that, but we’re going to have to do a few things consistently, because I spent a lot of money to make magic happen.”
With Rai Thistlethwayte’s entry into the band, fans are in for a treat as the group takes on Van Halen’s catalog with fresh energy and a touch of improvisation. The appreciation for Thistlethwayte’s talent and the changes in the show’s structure promise an unforgettable tour, blending rock’s raw essence with the magic of modern production.
