Sammy Hagar’s Las Vegas residency is a “dream come true for an elderly rock star”.
The former Van Halen star, 78, debuted The Best Of All Worlds show in the spring at the Park MGM resort and he’s bringing the production back to Sin City for two more runs in 2026 – and he’s confessed he loves playing in Las Vegas because he gets to enjoy the fun of touring without all the travel.
During an appearance on CNN’s The Story Is With Elex Michaelson, as quoted by Blabbermouth.net, the singer explained: “It’s a dream come true for an elderly rock star that still wants to perform, because the hardest part of doing a tour and playing shows is not the show itself.
“It’s the packing up and moving into hotels, travel, travel, travel, running around. You get to the show late. Some days you don’t even have time to have a good meal.
“But with the residency, you get a good night’s sleep. They give you the best rooms on the planet. Great food – Vegas has got the best restaurants in the world; they’re all in Las Vegas now. And it’s just so much easier .. “
He added: “To me, it’s a dream come true. It’s extending my touring life. Otherwise, I don’t know if I’d go on tour again and do a major tour. I mean, I could go out and do a few shows here and there. But anyway, Vegas, yes. Residency. Thank you.”
The Best Of All Worlds returns to Dolby Live at the Park MGM for 11 performances between March 11 and 21 before the show returns for another stint from September 18 until September 26.
Hagar’s band features Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony as well as guitarist Joe Satriani, drummer Kenny Aronoff and Rai Thistlethwayte.
It comes after Hagar confessed his belief that “the best was yet to come” from Van Halen.
The rocker – who was frontman of the Jump band from 1985 to 1996, before returning in 2003 until 2005 – was in touch with late guitarist Eddie Van Halen before his death in October 2020, and was keen to work with him again after learning he was playing the cello and experimenting with different instruments.
Speaking on Detroit’s WRIF radio station, he asked if he has any regrets and he replied: “Oh, hell no. Oh, no regrets whatsoever.
“I regret that we broke up, just to see what else we could have done. I would’ve loved to have made another record or two with Eddie writing.”
Hagar loved his songwriting partnership with Eddie. He reflected: “Eddie and I wrote some great songs together, and I think the best stuff was yet to come; it could have been yet to come, because Eddie was really reaching out on instruments.
“Last time I talked to Eddie before he passed, I said, ‘Man, what are you playing?’ He said, ‘Oh, man, I’ve really been playing a lot of cello.’ And I’m going, ‘Cello? Holy s***. Play me something, dude. I’m ready to write a song with you on cello’.”