Sammy Hagar’s Tour Days Might Be Coming To An End

via Sammy Hagar/YouTube
After more than 50 years on the road, Sammy Hagar is considering stepping away from traditional touring.
The former Van Halen frontman told the Miami Herald:
“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.”
Hagar recently wrapped up the successful Best of All Worlds tour, which celebrated Van Halen’s legendary catalog. However, he’s now shifting his focus to Las Vegas residencies and one-off shows.
A Vegas Residency Over the Grind of Touring
Hagar is gearing up for a revamped version of the Best of All Worlds show during a nine-date Las Vegas residency, starting April 30. He sees this as a more sustainable way to keep performing without the wear and tear of constant travel. Hagar shared:
“I keep telling my manager, ‘Don’t take any tours, let me do this residency.’
“If I like it enough, I’ll do another one. And if that’s successful, I’ll do another one. … With this, I don’t have to travel, unpack, and get on an airplane every day. 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.”
Mixing It Up in Vegas
Hagar promises to keep things fresh during his residency by rotating setlists. He’ll be joined by an all-star lineup that includes Joe Satriani, Michael Anthony, Kenny Aronoff, and Rai Thistlethwayte.
One song fans can expect to hear is “Don’t Tell Me (What Love Can Do)” from Van Halen’s 1995 Balance album. “Technically, it’s a brutal song to sing. I painted myself in a corner,” Hagar admitted. Despite the challenge, he’s determined: “[W]e will be doing it at the residency in Vegas. I’m going to add it to the show.”
While Sammy Hagar may be saying goodbye to traditional tours, he’s not ready to leave the stage just yet. With his Vegas shows on the horizon, fans can still look forward to unforgettable performances from the Red Rocker.