Top 10 Sammy Hagar Albums

Sammy Hagar Albums

Photo: Weatherman90 at English Wikipedia [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Sammy Hagar can be labelled as one of the greatest singers in Classic Rock History. After seeing Sammy Hagar open for the band Boston in 1977, I have followed the red rocker’s career ever since. The Top 10 list here only looks at Sammy solos albums. Sammy’s material written and recorded with Van Halen, Montrose, and Chickenfoot have been exempted from this particular list. In 1986, many Sammy Hagar fans were thrilled when Sammy joined Van Halen. At the same time, some were a little disappointed because it meant an end to Sammy Hagar releasing solo albums for the time being.

Sammy Hagar’s first five albums were recorded while under contract at Capitol records. After the Capitol contract expired, the singer moved on to Geffen records where he enjoyed even greater success as a solo artist. While recording for Geffen Records, Hagar released some of his strongest and biggest selling material of his career, including his anthem “I Can’t Drive 55,”

In 2014, Sammy Hagar formed the band “Circle,” with bassist Michael Anthony, guitarist Vic Johnson, and drummer Jason Bonham. In 2015, the singer still hits those high A’s and continues to produce spirited, high energy rock music of substance.

# 10 – Cosmic Universal Fashion

(Released November 18, 2008)

Available On Amazon

Starting out the Top 10 is Sammy’s 2008 release “Cosmic Universal Fashion.” The CD was released just before Sammy formed his fabulous band Chickenfoot. The album featured an onslaught of guest appearances featuring Neil Schon of Journey, Matt Sorum of Guns ‘N’ Roses, Michael Anthony of Van Halen, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top and legendary funkmaster Bootsy Collins. With that stellar lineup of rock legends, and a well written lot of Sammy Hagar tunes,”Cosmic Universal Fashion.” is a great starting point to the Top 10 Sammy Hagar albums.

# 9 – Danger Zone

(Released June 21, 1980)

Available On Amazon

Many Sammy Hagar fans did not even realize this album was released in 1980. Since this was Sammy fifth and last album for the Capitol Records label, it seemed that Capitol records did not spend much money promoting Sammy’s final release for the label. Furthermore, in 1980, new wave music was heavily dominating the airwaves. Somehow the album seemed to have gotten lost along the way. However, the album featured many standout tracks, most notably,” Love or Money,” which featured Steve Perry and Neil Schon of Journey

# 8 – Marching To Mars

(Released May 20, 1997)


Sammy’s first solo album after he left Van Halen. The album contained the hit “Little White Lies.” It was great to have Sammy Hagar back recording solo albums and Marching To Mars did not disappoint. The album also featured well know musicians such as Huey Lewis, Mickey Hart, Bootsy Collins, and Mr. Slash.

# 7- Musical Chairs

(Released October 1977)

Available On Amazon

The Sammy Hagar album Musical Chairs was released after Sammy’s “Red,” album. The album opened with the blistering party anthem”Turn Up The Music.” Sammy used former band-mates from the group Montrose, on the album that helped define Sammy Hagar’s raw organic true rock and roll sensibility.

# 6 – Street Machine

(Released September 1979)

Available On Amazon


Another great Sammy Hagar album that got lost among the punk and new wave scenes of the late 1970s. The Sammy Hagar album Street Machine album contained two of Sammy’s greatest rock and roll tracks; “Plain Jane;” and the killer cut “Trans Am.” Don’t miss this one. Long out of print, it was reissued by One Way Records in 1996 and once again by Rock Candy Records in 2009. Both issues contained bonus tracks.

# 5 – VOA

(Released July 23, 1984)

Available On Amazon

How could you not love the cover art to Sammy Hagar’s VOA album? The album contained what some fans may define as Sammy’s most famous song,”i Can’t Drive 55.” Another great Sammy Hagar album, it was also the last solo album he released before he joined the band Van Halen. The album was  produced by Ted Templeman who is one of the most legendary rock producers in the business.

# 4 – I Never Said Goodbye

(Released June 23, 1987)

Available On Amazon

The album entitled Sammy Hagar was Sammy Hagar’s only solo album released while he was a member of Van Halen. However, defining it as a solo album may be inaccurate since Eddie Van Halen played on every track as the bass player. The album contained some great material including ” Eagles Fly,”  and “Give To Live.” Both of those songs were performed by Van Halen during their concert tours.

# 3 – Sammy Hagar (Red)

(Released January 1977)

Available On Amazon

In 1977, Capitol Records heavily promoted Sammy’s third album entitled Sammy Hagar. This writer does not need to reference record company budgets or statistical information pertaining to artist promotion. While walking into New York’s Sam Goody’s record store in the fall of 1977, I was greeted by a large poster hanging in the front window displaying the cover of Sammy Hagar’s, “Red,” album. The record racks in the front of the store all showcased the singer’s new vinyl release. Circus and Cream magazines had full page ads promoting Sammy Hagar’s album. Fortunately for Sammy, Capitol records booked Sammy to open for the band Boston’s 1977 tour. Unfortunately for the band Boston, Sammy Hagar’s live show was blowing the band Boston off the stage on a nightly basis.

# 2 – Three Lock Box

(Released November 30,1982)


Sammy Hagar’s album Three Lock Box was the follow up to his very successful Geffen records debut, “Standing Hampton.” The album contained Sammy Hagar’s top 20 hit, “Your Love is Driving Me Crazy.” Appearing on the album was also Loverboy’s Mike Reno, Journey’s Jonathan Cain and Richard Page of Mr. Mister. The album featured the great Sammy Hagar band of Bill Church on bass guitar, Gary Pihl on guitar and David Lauser on drums.

# 1 – Standing Hampton

(Released January 1982)

Available On Amazon

Sammy Hagar’s best album featured the hits,” I’ll Fall in Love Again,” Heavy Metal,” “Baby’s on Fire and the classic “There’s Only One Way To Rock. Standing Hampton was Sammy’s Geffen records debut and it ushered in a new era of radio-friendly Sammy Hagar music. It also became Sammy’s first time that he sold a million copies of an album. Ask any Sammy Hagar fan to name their favorite Sammy Hagar album and 99 out of 100 will say Standing Hampton.

Top 10 Sammy Hagar Albums article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2022

Classicrockhistory.com claims ownership of all its original content and Intellectual property under United States Copyright laws and those of all other foreign countries. No one person, business, or organization is allowed to re-publish any of our original content anywhere on the web or in print without our permission. All photos used are either public domain creative commons photos or licensed officially from Shutterstock under license with ClassicRockHistory.com. All photo credits have been placed at the end of the article.

DMCA.com Protection Status

Add Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

10 Perfect Songs To Annoy Your Neighbors
10 Perfect Songs To Annoy Your Neighbors
Judas Priest Songs
10 Judas Priest Songs That Are Among Their Best
Steve Howe Songs
10 Essential Steve Howe Songs From His Solo Albums
Pink Martini Songs
Top 10 Pink Martini Songs You Need To Hear
Electric Light Orchestra Albums
10 Electric Light Orchestra Albums Everyone Should Own
Stevie Nicks Albums
Top 10 Stevie Nicks Albums
Our Ten Most Listened To Albums Of All Time
Our Ten Most Listened To Albums Of All Time
Thin Lizzy Albums
Top 10 Thin Lizzy Albums
Monsters Of Rock Cruise Day 1 Review
Monsters Of Rock Cruise 2024: Day One Review
Classic Rock Radio 104.3 FM Becomes New Home of NY JETS
Classic Rock Radio 104.3 FM Becomes New Home of The NY JETS
Ronnie Montrose Remembered 2024 Tribute Concert Review
Ronnie Montrose Remembered 2024 Tribute Concert Review
The Forgotten Pioneer: Bob Welch's Role in Fleetwood Mac
The Forgotten Pioneer: Bob Welch’s Role in Fleetwood Mac
Jeff Fabb of Black Label Society Interview
An Interview With Jeff Fabb of Black Label Society
Joey Vera of Armored Saint: The ClassicRockHistory.com Interview
Mel Gaynor Interview
An Interview With Mel Gaynor, Formerly Of Simple Minds
George Collins Interview
George Collins: The ClassicRockHistory.com Interview
Status Quo Albums
Complete List Of Status Quo Studio Albums And Discography
Phantom, Rocker & Slick Albums
Complete List Of Phantom, Rocker & Slick Albums
Paul Young Albums
Complete List Of Paul Young Albums And Discography
Steeleye Span Albums
Complete List Of Steeleye Span Albums And Discography
Music CDs Comeback
Why Music CDs Have No Chance Of Making A Comeback
Classic Rock Bands Still Together But Overdue For A New Album
Classic Rock Bands Still Together But Overdue For A New Album
When Glam Bands Went Grunge In The 1990s
When Glam Bands Went Grunge In The 1990s
25 Most Famous Female American Singers Now!
25 Most Famous Female American Singers Now!
Sammy Hagar Album Review
Why Sammy Hagar’s 1977 ‘Sammy Hagar’ LP Was One Of His Best
Grand Funk On Time Album Review
Looking Back At Grand Funk Railroad’s Debut Album ‘On Time’
Ghost Writer Album Review
How ‘Ghost Writer’ Turned Us On To The Music Of Garland Jeffreys
Four Wheel Drive Album Review
Why We Loved Bachman–Turner Overdrive’s Four Wheel Drive LP