History of Sammy Hagar in Timeline

Sammy Hagar, known as the Red Rocker, is a multifaceted American figure as a singer, songwriter, guitarist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He first gained recognition in the 1970s with the hard rock band Montrose. Later, Hagar launched a successful solo career, highlighted by his 1984 hit, "I Can't Drive 55." His career reached new heights when he became the lead vocalist of Van Halen from 1985 to 1996, and again from 2003 to 2005, contributing to their continued commercial success.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

October 13, 1947: Sammy Hagar's Birth

On October 13, 1947, Sam Roy Hagar, known as the Red Rocker, was born. He is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.

1964: Attends Rolling Stones Concert

In 1964, at the age of 17, Sammy Hagar sneaked into the Swing Auditorium in San Bernardino to see the US debut of the Rolling Stones.

November 3, 1968: Marriage to Betsy Berardi

On November 3, 1968, Sammy Hagar married his first wife, Betsy Berardi.

1970: Returns to Fontana and Has an Alien Encounter

In 1970, Sammy Hagar returned to Fontana with his wife and new baby to pursue a full-time music career. While in Fontana, he claims to have been visited by a ship with two creatures that tapped into his mind. A psychic later told him to return to San Francisco, where fame awaited him.

1978: Eddie Van Halen Praises Montrose

In 1978, Eddie Van Halen approached Sammy Hagar at a festival and expressed his admiration for Montrose, calling himself a "Montrose freak".

1978: Opens for Boston

In 1978, Sammy Hagar opened for Boston during their "Don't Look Back" tour.

1979: Self-Produces 'Street Machine' Album

In 1979, Sammy Hagar split with Carter and self-produced his "Street Machine" album.

1980: 'Danger Zone' Album Failure

In 1980, Sammy Hagar's "Danger Zone" album failed to break out, leading him to feel that Capitol Records was not supporting him sufficiently.

1982: Appearance of Ferrari 512BB in I Can't Drive 55 Music Video

In 1982, Sammy Hagar's Ferrari 512BB was featured in his "I Can't Drive 55" music video.

1983: Forms Supergroup HSAS

In 1983, Sammy Hagar and guitarist Neal Schon of Journey formed the supergroup HSAS (Hagar Schon Aaronson Shrieve).

1983: Top 40 Hit with "Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy"

In early 1983, Sammy Hagar's song "Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy" peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming his first pop Top 40 hit single.

1984: HSAS Christmas Tour and Album Release

In 1984, HSAS did a small Christmas tour to benefit local charities and released an album, Through the Fire.

1984: Hit Song "I Can't Drive 55"

In 1984, Sammy Hagar scored a hit song with "I Can't Drive 55", launching his solo career.

1984: "I Can't Drive 55" Reaches No. 26

In 1984, Sammy Hagar's song "I Can't Drive 55" from the album VOA reached No. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart and garnered heavy AOR airplay.

1985: Joins Van Halen

In 1985, Sammy Hagar became the lead vocalist of Van Halen.

1985: Hiatus of Solo Career

In 1985, Sammy Hagar's solo career went on hiatus due to his time spent in Van Halen, with small returns to studio work in 1987 and 1993.

1985: Hired as Van Halen's Vocalist

In July 1985, Sammy Hagar was hired as the vocalist for Van Halen after they parted ways with David Lee Roth.

1987: Return to Studio Work

In 1987, Sammy Hagar had a small return to studio work during his solo career hiatus.

1987: Number 1 Hit with Give to Live

In 1987, Sammy Hagar had his first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks with "Give to Live" from I Never Said Goodbye, after he had joined Van Halen.

1992: Jams as a Trio

In 1992, Sammy Hagar, drummer David Lauser, and Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony jammed as a trio.

1993: Return to Studio Work

In 1993, Sammy Hagar had a small return to studio work during his solo career hiatus.

1993: Forms Los Tres Gusanos

In 1993, Sammy Hagar, drummer David Lauser, and Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony formed Los Tres Gusanos.

1994: Divorce from Betsy Berardi

In 1994, Sammy Hagar divorced his first wife, Betsy Berardi, after 26 years of marriage.

November 29, 1995: Marriage to Kari Hagar

On November 29, 1995, Sammy Hagar married his current wife, Kari Hagar.

1995: Van Halen World Tour

In 1995, Van Halen embarked on a world tour prior to Sammy Hagar's departure in 1996.

June 1996: Leaves Van Halen

In June 1996, Sammy Hagar departed from Van Halen due to internal disputes, particularly regarding recording new tracks for a greatest hits album.

1996: Los Tres Gusanos Active Until 1996

In 1996, Los Tres Gusanos were initially active until this year.

1996: Produces Solo Records After Van Halen Split

In 1996, Sammy Hagar produced several solo records after his split with Van Halen.

1996: End of Hiatus of Solo Career

In 1996, Sammy Hagar's solo career resumed after a hiatus due to his time in Van Halen.

1996: Leaves Van Halen

In 1996, Sammy Hagar's tenure as the lead vocalist of Van Halen came to an end.

1996: Robert Berry Stands in for Michael Anthony

In 1996, musician Robert Berry stood in for Michael Anthony in Los Tres Gusanos while the bass player fulfilled his touring commitments with Van Halen.

1997: Formation of the Waboritas

In 1997, Sammy Hagar formed the Waboritas as his backing band for the Marching to Mars Tour.

1997: Number One Hit with Little White Lie

In 1997, Sammy Hagar hit No. 1 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart with "Little White Lie".

1998: Robert Berry Stands in for Michael Anthony Again

In 1998, Robert Berry again stood in for Michael Anthony in Los Tres Gusanos while the bass player fulfilled his touring commitments with Van Halen.

1999: Forms the Waboritas

In 1999, Sammy Hagar formed a long-term band called the Waboritas.

2002: Los Tres Gusanos Regroups

In 2002, Los Tres Gusanos regrouped after being initially active until 1996.

2002: Forms Planet Us

In 2002, Sammy Hagar joined with guitarists Neal Schon and later Joe Satriani to form a new side project called Planet Us.

2002: Teams Up with David Lee Roth for Tour

In the summer of 2002, Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth teamed up for the Song for Song, the Heavyweight Champs of Rock and Roll Tour (also known as the 'Sans-Halen' or 'Sam & Dave' Tour).

2003: Rejoins Van Halen

From 2003, Sammy Hagar was again the lead vocalist of Van Halen.

2003: "Peephole" Released on "World Play"

In 2003, one of the two songs recorded by Planet Us, "Peephole", saw its release when Schon's Soul SirkUS released it on the album "World Play".

2004: Van Halen Tour

In 2004, Sammy Hagar went on tour with Van Halen, and his backing band was paid to be held on reserve for him after the tour.

2004: Van Halen Tour and Album Release

In 2004, Van Halen toured with Sammy Hagar and released a 2-CD greatest hits album, titled The Best of Both Worlds, featuring three new Van Halen tracks fronted by Hagar.

2005: Los Tres Gusanos Regroups Again

In 2005, Los Tres Gusanos regrouped again.

2005: Second Departure from Van Halen

In 2005, Sammy Hagar once again ceased to be the lead vocalist of Van Halen.

July 25, 2006: Release of Livin' It Up! In St. Louis with the Wabos

On July 25, 2006, Sammy Hagar released the album and DVD 'Livin' It Up! In St. Louis with the Wabos', which highlights his strong relationship with St. Louis.

2007: Induction into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

In 2007, Sammy Hagar was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Van Halen.

2008: Founding of the Hagar Family Foundation

In 2008, Sammy Hagar and his wife Kari founded the Hagar Family Foundation, a nonprofit focused on children's causes and hunger relief.

2008: Purchase of Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano F1

In 2008, Sammy Hagar bought a Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano F1, adding to his collection of Ferraris.

2008: "Psycho Vertigo" and "Peephole" on "Cosmic Universal Fashion"

In 2008, Sammy Hagar's album "Cosmic Universal Fashion" featured the two songs recorded by Planet Us: "Psycho Vertigo" and "Peephole".

June 2009: Chickenfoot's Debut Album Release

In June 2009, Chickenfoot released their self-titled debut album, which debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard Music Chart.

2009: Waboritas on Lifetime Salary/Vacation

In 2009, following the formation of Chickenfoot, Sammy Hagar put the Waboritas on lifetime salary/vacation, intending to play with them occasionally, particularly at his annual birthday concert in Cabo San Lucas.

April 3, 2011: Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock Reaches No. 1

On April 3, 2011, Sammy Hagar's autobiography 'Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock' reached No. 1 on the New York Times Best Seller list of hardcover nonfiction.

2011: Releases Autobiography

In 2011, Sammy Hagar released his autobiography, confirming details about his strained relationship with Eddie Van Halen during their final tour together.

May 2015: Release of At Your Service

In May 2015, Sammy Hagar and the Circle released a live recording on the album, 'At Your Service'.

September 2015: Release of Are We Having Any Fun Yet? – The Cooking & Partying Handbook

In September 2015, Sammy Hagar released the cookbook 'Are We Having Any Fun Yet? – The Cooking & Partying Handbook', which contains food and drink recipes and cooking memories.

May 10, 2019: Release of Space Between

On May 10, 2019, Sammy Hagar and the Circle released their debut studio album 'Space Between' on BMG. The album reached No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart, No. 1 on Billboard's Top Album Sales chart, No. 1 on Billboard's US Independent Albums chart, and No. 1 on Billboard's Top Rock Albums chart.

2021: Offered Spot Singing for Pantera

In 2021, Sammy Hagar claimed that he was offered a spot singing for metal band Pantera during the early years of Los Tres Gusanos' formation, but it did not come to fruition.

January 2024: Appearance on Finding Your Roots

In January 2024, Sammy Hagar was featured on PBS' 'Finding Your Roots', where he learned of a discrepancy in his Y-DNA lineage, tracing back to a Belcher family member in 1845.

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