Sammy Hagar brought his “Four Decades Of Rock” tour to the Molson Amphitheatre in Toronto this week. And the veteran rocker is still having a blast after all these years.
Beginning the show, the stage wide video wall flashed snippets of vintage Hagar as he was, while playing in the various bands he called home since the 70’s. The journey went from his early Montrose days, through the first leg of being a solo artist, to the heady days of being frontman for Van Halen, to his second solo life, and the other various bands that included Chickenfoot, among others.
Hagar has the enviable ability to do whatever he wants, tour when he wants, and collaborates with whomever he wants. He seems beholden to no one. He let the crowd know that he’s retired, and this is what retired musicians do, play music when they want. Hagar dug back into his catalog for a 3-song Montrose medley that included “Space Station #5,” “Rock Candy,” and “Bad Motor Scooter.” The die-hard fans, which were sprinkled throughout the crowd let him know that they remembered. “Red” from Hagar’s 2nd solo album followed as the stage was washed over in red lights. He wasted no time hitting the crowd with his biggest solo hit, “I Can’t Drive 55” from 1984’s “VOA”.
His semi fulltime touring band was solid as usual. Hagar doesn’t scrimp when picking his bandmates. Bassist Mona Gnader filled the bottom end in with rock solid drummer David Lauser. And guitarist, Vic Johnson hit the mark throughout the night. A pair from 1981’s “Standing Hampton” included “There’s Only One Way To Rock” and “I’ll Fall In Love Again.”
But many of the fans were there to hear the mega hits that Hagar worked when he played as a Van Halen. And he brought his Van Halen bass player buddy, Michael Anthony along to help out. Anthony’s sound is big, bombastic, booming and a huge reason Van Halen was as memorable as they were/are.
They started the VH section of the set with “Right Now,” complete with video messages that pointed out local poverty and other social causes that we should be aware of. “Why Can’t This be Love” and “Best Of Both Worlds” grabbed the crowd firmly, and they roared their approval. The ballad “When It’s Love” sounded as good that night as ever. And “Finish What You Started” featured the requisite hot chick parts of the vintage VH music video for the song. A highlight for the night though, was the title track to the 1981 movie “Heavy Metal.” Even today, this is one kick-ass song. Even Gnader and Johnson took turns singing parts of the verses. And having Michael Anthony teamed up with Gnader and their two basses at the same time was a treat to watch and hear. “Mas Tequila”, which seems to be Hagar’s signature party vibe these days came next along with his oversized air cannon, which dispatched streamers far into the crowd. What’s a party without streamers, right??
The main set ended with “Knockdown Dragout,” from the forthcoming new release due in this September. This new album, “Sammy Hagar and Friends,” features many high profile artists adding their flavour to Hagar’s new material. Kid Rock and Joe Satriani join Hagar on the album for this track and in the music video.
The 3-song encore started with Hagar at center stage alone, as he began “Where Eagles Fly,” just he and his guitar followed by the full band after a few minutes. “Bad On Fords and Chevrolets,” from the new album, came next and was a fun-filled, country rock romp. Ronnie Dunn, from Brooks and Dunn fame, is featured on the album track. Always the showman, and genuinely having fun on stage, Hagar thanked the fans for helping him enjoy his retirement and led them in an acappella version of “Cabo Wabo.”
Hagar said, he doesn’t get to Canada very often, but loves it here when he does. And judging by his fanbase up here, he should come back more often.
Set List:
Space Station #5 / Rock Candy / Bad Motor Scooter (Montrose medley)
Red
I Can’t Drive 55
There’s Only One Way to Rock
I’ll Fall in Love Again
Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy
Three Lock Box
Right Now (Van Halen song with Mike Anthony)
Why Can’t This Be Love (Van Halen song with Mike Anthony)
Best of Both Worlds (Van Halen song with Mike Anthony)
When It’s Love (Van Halen song with Mike Anthony)
Finish What Ya Started (Van Halen song with Mike Anthony)
Heavy Metal (1981 Movie Soundtrack)
Mas Tequila
Knockdown Dragout
Encore:
Where Eagles Fly
Bad On Fords and Chevrolets
Cabo Wabo (Van Halen song)
We would like to thank Stephanie Stehling from Conformity Media for the credentials to review the show.
