Rock legend Sammy Hagar has revealed details of a brand-new live album, Sammy Hagar & The Best of All Worlds Band – The Residency, set to arrive on October 10, 2025. The project, recorded during his hit Las Vegas run earlier this year, captures the high-energy performances that have made Hagar one of rock’s most enduring frontmen.
The announcement was first shared via Instagram, where Hagar confirmed that the album’s debut single, Summer Nights, is already available for streaming.
The Official Announcement
The band’s statement outlined the release details and introduced the featured musicians who recorded the residency shows at Dolby Live at Park MGM.
“New live album – Sammy Hagar & The Best of All Worlds Band – The Residency is coming October 10, 2025, and the first track from the album, Summer Nights, is now streaming,” the announcement stated. “Featuring Sammy, Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani, Kenny Aronoff, and Rai Thistlethwayte; recorded during the hit 2025 Las Vegas Residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM.”
The record is expected to include highlights from Hagar’s decades-spanning career, blending his Van Halen era with his successful solo catalog.
Sammy Hagar on Summer Nights
Hagar himself offered insights into why Summer Nights was chosen as the album’s lead single.
“‘Summer Nights’ was one of the first songs we wrote for the 5150 record, on our very first day in the studio,” Hagar said. “Eddie played me that guitar riff and I just started singing ‘summer nights and my radio,’ and the rest of the lyrics just came out like a river of consciousness. I don’t think there’s a better theme song for a beautiful summer night, so it had to be the first track this summer from the live album.”
The track not only connects fans to the Van Halen legacy but also reflects Hagar’s signature style of upbeat, feel-good rock anthems.
Jason Bonham’s Absence
One notable change in the lineup is the absence of drummer Jason Bonham. The son of legendary Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, Jason had been part of Hagar’s touring band until stepping away in 2024 due to family health concerns.
Since then, powerhouse drummer Kenny Aronoff has taken his place. While fans had speculated about Bonham’s possible return for The Residency, the live album’s credits make it clear that Hagar has decided to move forward with Aronoff.
This means that performances featuring Bonham during earlier tours will not appear on the new release, with all tracks instead spotlighting the updated lineup.
The Band Behind The Residency
The Residency showcases the collective talents of Hagar’s latest all-star lineup:
- Sammy Hagar – Vocals
- Michael Anthony – Bass (best known as Van Halen’s founding bassist)
- Joe Satriani – Guitar virtuoso
- Kenny Aronoff – Drums
- Rai Thistlethwayte – Keyboards and rhythm guitar
This ensemble represents the continuation of Hagar’s Best of All Worlds project, which celebrates both his Van Halen era classics and his broader solo career.
The Las Vegas Residency
The live album was recorded during Hagar’s 2025 Las Vegas residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM, a run that was met with critical acclaim and packed audiences. Fans praised the shows for their mix of nostalgia and high-powered performances, combining Van Halen favorites with Hagar’s solo hits like I Can’t Drive 55 and There’s Only One Way to Rock.
By translating the residency into a live album, Hagar ensures that fans around the world can experience the energy of the concerts, even if they weren’t able to attend in person.
Looking Back, Moving Forward
For Hagar, The Residency is not just a live album — it’s a celebration of a career that has spanned over five decades. From his early solo albums in the 1970s to fronting Van Halen in the mid-1980s and beyond, Hagar has consistently reinvented himself while staying true to his rock roots.
Although Jason Bonham’s absence may disappoint some fans, the lineup featuring Kenny Aronoff brings a fresh energy to the project. With Joe Satriani’s virtuosic guitar playing and Michael Anthony’s unmistakable harmonies, the band carries forward the spirit of Van Halen while forging a unique sound of its own.
Conclusion
Sammy Hagar & The Best of All Worlds Band – The Residency arrives on October 10, 2025, and promises to be a must-have for fans of both Hagar and classic rock in general. With the release of Summer Nights as the first single, anticipation is already building for what looks to be a defining live document of Hagar’s latest chapter.
For fans, this record serves as both a tribute to Hagar’s past and a bold step into the future — a reminder that the Red Rocker shows no signs of slowing down.
