Everything Music. Everything News. Everything live.

Sammy Hagar Brings Out Kesha at Vegas Residency Kickoff

LEFT PHOTO: Stagecoach Music Festival 2025, Indio, California, u.s - 27 Apr 2025 SAMMY HAGAR during Stagecoach Music Festival at Empire Polo Club in Indio, California RIGHT PHOTO: NYC LGBT Center Dinner, New York, USA - 10 Apr 2025
LEFT PHOTO: Photo by Daniel DeSlover/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock RIGHT PHOTO: Photo By Gregory Pace/Shutterstock for LGBT Center

Sammy Hagar recently ignited Las Vegas with the debut of his “The Best of All Worlds” residency at the Park MGM, a series that is destined to be a musical journey filled with nostalgia and surprises. The powerhouse rock vocalist, renowned for his work with Van Halen, kicked off the night with his new song “Encore, Thank You, Goodnight,” which Hagar fascinatingly claims was co-written in a dream with the late Eddie Van Halen. This opening set the tone for a night that seamlessly blended rock history with fresh moments, captivating audiences with its compelling narrative that bridges the past and present of rock music.

Hagar’s band for the residency, featuring the legendary guitarist Joe Satriani, bassist Michael Anthony, drummer Kenny Aronoff, and keyboardist Rai Thistlethwayte, followed the setlist they brought to North American amphitheaters last summer but added unique surprises. The evening was full of unexpected appearances and songs that hadn't been part of a Hagar concert for years. A major highlight of the night was when Kesha took the stage. The pop icon joined Hagar for “Ain’t Talkin’ ’Bout Love,” a classic Van Halen hit that saw her bringing an energetic twist to the “hey, hey, hey!” chant alongside Hagar and Anthony, much to the delight of the packed audience.

Another memorable moment of the residency came with the performance of “Amsterdam” from Van Halen's 1995 album Balance, which hadn’t been featured in Hagar’s solo shows since 2007. But perhaps the most significant throwback was the revival of the power ballad “Love Walks In” from Van Halen’s 1986 album 5150. Sammy Hagar, who had not performed this song live since 1993, wrapped up the night with this touching rendition, stirring both nostalgia and a nod to the enduring legacy of Van Halen.

The residency is designed to run across several nights, with Hagar planning variations in the setlist to keep each performance fresh. According to Hagar, while they initially considered switching out deep tracks, they realized that with Van Halen's immense popularity, even the less-known tracks are widely recognized by fans. The Red Rocker's reflection on his performance strategy illustrates the timeless nature of Van Halen’s music and his commitment to keeping the spirit of the band's music alive. Hagar's candid acknowledgment of his age and the physical demands of touring offer a personal glimpse into the reality of an aging rock star determined to leave an indelible mark without compromising fans' experiences.

Beyond the music, Hagar's interaction with the press in recent weeks has been vibrant. He has been candid about his contentious relationship with Van Halen's Alex Van Halen, highlighting personal dynamics that have shaped the band's history. Meanwhile, Kesha's participation links back to her longstanding connection with Hagar, adding layers to the performance as these two music worlds collide, creating a fusion of rock's robust energy and pop's refreshing vivacity.

The opening night proved to be not just a trip down memory lane but also a heartfelt homage to Eddie Van Halen, whose influence and spirit resonate deeply in Hagar's performances. Sammy Hagar's residency at the Park MGM promises to be a unique combination of powerful vocals, legendary guitar riffs, and the irreplaceable synergy of a band that celebrates and elevates the rock genre.

Key Takeaways

Related Stories

Brian Setzer’s Illness Forces Stray Cats Tour Cancellations

Setzer Reveals Health Battle Rockabilly icon Brian Setzer, best known as the frontman of the Stray Cats, recently revealed that…

Bruce Springsteen Biopic Opens Soft at the Box Office

A Modest Start for “Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere” The Bruce Springsteen biopic Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere hit theaters…

Foo Fighters 2026 Tour Dates Announced

Rock legends Foo Fighters have officially announced a massive North American stadium tour for the summer of 2026. The announcement…

Axl Rose, left, and Slash, of Guns N' Roses, perform on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Guns N' Roses in concert at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, USA - 24 Aug 2023

Watch: Axl Rose Melts Down at Guns N’ Roses Concert in Buenos Aires

Axl Rose Loses His Cool on Stage Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose shocked fans at a recent concert in…

UPDATED Illinois man arrested after allegedly impersonating Sammy Hagar

UPDATE: 3:36 PM 10/22/2025 Police in Mount Vernon, Illinois have been in touch with our newsroom and have shared that…

PETA Urges Robert Plant to Rebrand as “Robert Plant Wool”

What’s happening Animal rights organization PETA has made a pointed request to rock legend Robert Plant: temporarily adopt the name…

Bruce Watson and Luis Maldonado of Foreigner in concert during the Farewell Tour at The I Think Financial Amphitheater Foreigner in concert, West Palm Beach, Florida, USA - 08 Jul 2023

Foreigner and Lou Gramm Are Finishing “New” Music From the Vault

According to a recent interview with UltimateClassicRock.com, Foreigner and original singer Lou Gramm are back in the studio working together,…

David Gilmour Draws the Line: “I Will Never Perform with Roger Waters Again”

In a recent interview with The Guardian, Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour made one of his strongest public statements yet…

Remembering Ace Frehley: The “Spaceman” of Rock

A Memorial for Ace Frehley, A True Great Rock and Roller On October 16, 2025, the music world lost one…