Sammy Hagar To Release "The Residency" Live Album In October

Feature Photo: Geoffrey Clowes / Shutterstock.com

The Red Rocker will be back once again in record stores (yes, you remember record stores) on October 10, 2025, with the release of Sammy Hagar & The Best Of All Worlds Band – The Residency. It’s not a new studio album but actually an extended live record that documents both his 2025 Las Vegas residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM and performances from his most recent Best of All Worlds tour. If you’ve caught any of these shows, you just had to be blown away by how well Sammy can still sing.. (You hear that, Dave?) The CD is action-packed with 19 cuts. Just like the tour, it takes an extensive dive into Hagar’s Van Halen catalog. With Michael Anthony by his side, the two of them were able to replicate that Van Halen vocal sound that the two of them showcased with their killer voices during those Van Halen years from the mid 80s into the 1990s.

Besides showcasing Hager and Anthony, the band also featured the sensational guitarist Joe Satriani, legendary drummer Kenny Aronoff, and multi-instrumentalist Rai Thistlethwayte.

Hagar’s solo career, which began in earnest after his departure from Montrose in the mid-1970s, produced numerous rock radio staples that remain fixtures of his live performances today. Songs like “I Can’t Drive 55” and “There’s Only One Way To Rock” established him as a formidable solo artist long before his Van Halen tenure. In case you haven’t noticed, we are huge Sammy Hagar fans at the site. Ever since I first saw Sammy Hagar open for Boston back in 1976, I have collected every Hagar release the Red Rocker has ever issued. The man is a huge inspiration.

When Hagar joined Van Halen in 1985, replacing David Lee Roth, he brought a different vocal style and songwriting approach to the band that allowed Eddie Van Halen to write melodies that Roth woudl have never been able to sing. Of course, I also loved the Roth years so please dont take that as a knock on Roth. They were two different bands, and both of them brought so much incredible joy to us as rock fans.

Hagar’s first album with the group, 5150, debuted at number one and spawned hits like “Why Can’t This Be Love” and the album’s opening track “Summer Nights,” which Hagar recalls writing spontaneously during their very first studio session together. The collaboration continued through albums like OU812, For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, and Balance, producing classics such as “When It’s Love,” “Poundcake,” and “Right Now.” During his eleven-year tenure with Van Halen, the band achieved four number-one albums and sold millions of records worldwide, cementing Hagar’s place in rock history.

The tour experienced some drama when original drummer Jason Bonham, son of Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham, had to depart with four shows remaining due to family issues. However, Kenny Aronoff stepped in seamlessly, with Hagar praising the drummer’s ability to master Eddie Van Halen’s complex compositions mid-tour emphasizing how Eddie Van Halen’s intricate musical arrangements challenge even the most skilled drummers.

Beyond his musical achievements, Hagar has built an impressive business empire including Cabo Wabo Tequila, multiple restaurant ventures, and various spirits brands, while also earning recognition as a bestselling author and philanthropist. With over 50 million albums sold worldwide and honors including Grammy Awards, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, and a Hollywood Walk of Fame star, this live album serves as both a celebration of his enduring legacy and a testament to the timeless appeal of the music he helped create across multiple legendary rock acts. This is a live album I can’t wait to hear it. Below is a little preview of what is soon to come.