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Rocker Sammy Hagar Has a Red Letter Day at The Best of All Worlds Tour Stop in Nashville
by Rich and Laura Lynch
A sea of red descended on Nashville when Sammy Hagar and his "Best of All Worlds" tour came to Music City on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 for a highly anticipated night of music at the Bridgestone Arena that was being hailed via advance billing as the concert of the year. We first noticed an abundance of fans festooned in a variety of "Red Rocker" tees getting a pre-show meal at Assembly Music Hall just across the street from the venue. Once inside the stadium we observed a lot more of them wearing shirts bearing the trademarked stripes of Eddie Van Halen's "Frankenstrat" guitar.
Sammy Hagar was ready to rock in Nashville.
Of course, that makes a lot of sense as this particular Hagar tour was conceived by Sammy to be the actual much talked about "tribute" show that never materialized in the wake of the 2020 passing of the legendary EVH. So, Hagar recruited the one man on earth that he believed would be up to the task - one Mr. Joe Satriani to honor the fallen icon on six-string. Rounding out the advertised line-up who would play many VH classics and deep cuts throughout the night was longtime Van Halen bassist and background vocalist Michael Anthony; drummer Jason Bonham; and, multi-instrumentalist Rai Thistlethwayte.
Joe Satriani and Sammy Hagar helped keep the spirit of EVH and Van Halen alive in Music City.
While this incredible concert did feature some Sammy solo hits and a signature number by Joe Satriani - the message that really got pounded home was that this was a Van Halen tribute show as a powerful three pack of "Good Enough", "Poundcake" and "Runaround" set the proceedings in motion. More VH numbers followed including "Judgement Day", "Panama", "5150", "Summer Nights", "Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love", "Top of the World", "Best of Both Worlds", "The Seventh Seal",
"Why Can't This Be Love", "Jump" and the show closer "When It's Love".
Michael Anthony and Sammy Hagar were reunited and it felt so good.
Hagar and company were in top form seemingly having a great time mid-week in Music City. Sammy gathered many items (cowboy boot, several hats and a [WTF?] scarf) that were thrown on stage and he autographed them all before returning them to the patrons. The most poignant moment came when the Red Rocker held up a large sign during the instrumental break in "Right Now" that said "Right Now, Eddie Van Halen says Thank You" that brought the frontman to the verge of tears. More heartstrings were tugged when he sent out "Eagles Fly" to Jason Bonham who was absent in order to be with his family back home in London. Next, he thanked drummer extraordinaire Kenny Aronoff who stepped in on very little notice to keep the tour going through its conclusion by barely missing a beat. Through Kenny's sturdy handiwork we all got a lesson in what it means to truly be a worldclass musician ready to go when preparation and opportunity converge.
Sammy Hagar recruited the versatile Rai Thistlethwayte to expertly reproduce the VH feels in Nashville.
While the first leg of the "Best of All Worlds Tour" was winding down with only two dates left on the schedule after Nashville the guys are not quite done yet delivering the high quality rock. The tour will pick up for three additional dates in September in Japan - and, there is a lot of talk on social media that this group of now well-gelled musicians will soon record some new material in the inimitable Van Hagar style in order to give them cause to hit the road again sometime next year - and that is music to the ears of Sammy Hagar and Van Halen fans everywhere.
It was a Chickenfoot reunion too with the last minute addition of drummer Kenny Aronoff to the band.
Fan favorite Loverboy held down the coveted opening slot on the 28-date trek and by all accounts the "Working for the Weekend" creators held their own on this high-profile outing. They certainly did in Nashville as the house was full to capacity when the lights went down and the curtain went up on "Notorious". Still, it wasn't perfect as singer Mike Reno's microphone went silent for much of "Lovin' Every Minute of It" which had the frontman laughing at the end saying mistakes like that is like "performing with your fly down". Still, they rallied to remind everyone in attendance just what a great song "Turn Me Loose" really was as Reno and company thanked the Music City faithful for singing along and sounding fantastic.
Sammy might be the best choice we have in 2024; at least we know he will raise the speed limit.
The Bridgestone Arena located in downtown Nashville is a seven-time ACM Arena of the Year award winner (2009, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2024) and three-time Pollstar Magazine Arena Year of the Award claiming the title in 2014, 2017 and 2023. The world-class building is home ice to the NHL's Predators and it also hosts a wide array of concerts such as Sammy Hagar. Upcoming events at the popular venue include Dierks Bentley, Weezer, Kings of Leon, Jeff Lynne's ELO, Billie Eilish and Creed.
Mike Reno and Loverboy worked it out just fine in Music City.
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