Seeing Sammy Hagar once more in the near future could be a coin flip but that’s not stopping the 78-year-old Red Rocker for selling out venues on this current tour making this run that much more special. That was the case Friday night at Pine Knob Music Theatre with crowds of people in the parking lots blaring Sammy Hagar tracks waiting for the doors to open and to add to the excitement level Hagar’s special guest on the “Best of All Worlds” tour good friend Rick Springfield. It was a perfect weather night for some “Mas Tequlia.” Hagar current lineup on this run is a little different bringing in power drummer Kenny Aronoff and keyboardist Nathan Mercado (aka Spider Cherry) The night kicked off early with Rick Springfeild hitting the stage greeted by a few thousand screaming women.
Springfield 9-song set had all the classic hits opening up with “I’ll Make You Happy” Springfield 76-years-young and moving pretty good on stage and still delivering some sweet ass guitar rips follows up with a Hagar cover “I’ve Done Everything For You.” Springfield shows no signs of the old age theory launching his guitar upwards and back around again. Crowd favorites included “Don’t Talk to Strangers,” “Love Somebody” and “Affair of the Heart. Springfield joined the crowd giving out high fives along the way while making his way back onto the stage it was a cell paparazzi frenzy. Springfield gave us the bouquet wined up of flying rose petals that’s always cool to see and in my case photograph.
Springfield ended the night with the song heard around the world with “Jessie’s Girl” the near full venue had people from the top of the hill to front row dancing the night away to the extended version turning into a sing along. Springfield delivered trip down memory lane with 50 epic minutes to us back to our high school days. Springfield is a great showman and a must see in a city near you.
Sammy Hagar and the boys were up next taking the stage one by one greeted nicely with some Detroit love opening up with “Why Can’t This Be Love” a Van Halen hit that got the crowd going early on. Michael Anthony joining in on vocals still delivering the Van Halen bass we all love, Satriani a guitar shredder in his own rights prowling the stage greeting fans early on. The first three songs I’m calling a triple delight of Van Halen songs. After “Why Can’t This Be Love” Hagar follows with Top of the World” and “Runaround.” The 12,000 plus fans taking in every bit of nostalgic right in front of their eyes. “Best of Both Worlds” had the crowd singing while Satriani delivered his masterful solos and guitar rips.
All across the venues on this tour people look forward with some lucky enough to be front row for “Cabo Wabo” and “Mas Tequila”. Hagar turns these songs into a party asking Michigan, “are you ready to party.” The lucky ones received a shot from Hagar while others had it poured right the hatch. Hagar shared a rum and Dr. Pepper with Michael Anthony the two were having quite the time. During “Good Enough” Hagar was sporting a red sequined jacket given to him by a fan. Afterward Hagar gave the jacket back which his probably in a safe or framed on a wall by now. First highlight of the night took us back to the early days with Anthony taking lead with “Ain’t Talking’bout Love” the crowd was numb at this point and still throwing fists in the air matching Anthony word for word. Hagar took center stage with guitar in hand noting to the crowd not here in Michigan you can’t with “I Can’t Drive 55.” Hagar still attacks his guitar with enthusiasm unknow to mankind make no mistake about it.
The 19-song set didn’t go without a trip back to the Montrose days with “Bad Motor Scotter” a crowd favorite. I like a good highlight from a set and that came from Satriani “Satch Boogie” Hagar asking the crowd are you ready to boogie. Satriani is a master behind the guitar. This song just fills you up with energy and with Satriani needing a band aid or two after that shred. Hagar getting in on the guitar shreds himself with “Heavy Metal.” The night ended with band intros and another crowd pleaser sing-along with “Eagles Fly” the hill was lit up with cell phone lights swaying side to side joining Hagar on vocals. After “Eagles Fly” it was time to say goodbye to the fans. Satriani says good night with an Eruption snippet the crowd going into an eruption of its own. Hagars’s “Best of All Worlds” definitely lives up to its hype and then some. Hopefully this wasn’t the final goodbye. The Best of All Worlds tour is a continuation from that ass kicking tour from 2024. Horns up America and keep rocking.
