Sammy Hagar marks 79th birthday with 36th Cabo Birthday Bash
Sammy Hagar closed his 36th Birthday Bash on 13 October, his 79th birthday, with a third night at the Cabo Wabo Cantina in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
The run played 9, 11 and 13 October. Hagar told Billboard the party remains anchored to the club he opened in the resort town.
Demand far outstripped supply. Hagar said he received 100,000 requests for about 1,600 tickets across the three nights. That is more than 60 requests for every seat.
Tickets were priced at US$79 each, or US$1 for each year of Hagar's age, according to details published on his Red Rocker site. Fans had to register before 31 July for a chance to buy. The club organised sales in person only, one day before each concert, with dinner seatings at 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. or 8:30 p.m., according to Cabo Wabo Cantina and Red Rocker.
The house band mixed familiar faces with new players. Guitarist Vic Johnson and bassist Mona Gnader, both of Hagar's Waboritas band, joined drummer Kenny Aronoff and guitarist Stevie Salas. Long-time collaborator Michael Anthony missed this year's run for a family cruise to celebrate his wife's birthday.
Hagar said the setlists leaned into his Red Rocker solo years and his early work with Montrose. The plan included the entire 1973 Montrose debut album. It was a nod to where his recording career as a frontman started.
Surprise guests are part of the Bash tradition. Past years have brought Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Alice Cooper and players linked to the Grateful Dead, Metallica, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Alice in Chains. This year Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains joined on the 11 October show for "Man in the Box" and Van Halen's "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love".
Hagar is already talking about 80. He said his dream is a final bash large enough for everyone who wants a ticket. Options he named include four or five nights, a large stadium show, or closing off streets in Cabo to play for free.
The Cabo run followed a busy stretch. Hagar played his 20th show at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas on 26 September. On 7 October he announced a slot at CALIFORNIA, DREAM ON: Aerosmith & Friends at the Hollywood Bowl.
For fans, this means a small club remains the heart of the party, even as the waiting list keeps growing. The question for next year is whether that club atmosphere can stretch to a much larger crowd.
