Hagar uncorks Van Halen, and more, in Strip return — PHOTOS
You know it is a unique concert experience when you bend to tie your shoes and lean on a speaker for balance.
Our shoes stayed on from our position on stage right. But Sammy Hagar shed his sneakers during the opening of the “Best of All Worlds” residency at Dolby Live. He also rolled up his pant legs, as if ready to walk the beach in Cabo.
Hagar and his band — bassist Michael Anthony, guitarist Joe Satriani, drummer Kenny Aronoff and keyboardist Greg Phillinganes — were in prime form in their return to Park MGM. The series continues this weekend, Wednesday, March 20-21 and back for five more shows in September.
This is the Best of All Worlds Band, formally. The title fits. It’s the best band Hagar has built in any of his Vegas shows, in our opinion. Every one of these guys is among the top 10 worldwide on their respective instruments. Check the resumes of all of them for verification.
The hook in these shows is the Hagar era of Van Halen, invariably dubbed “Van Hagar.” Highlights such as mandatory performances of “Top Of The World,” “Runaround,” “Poundcake,” “Why Can’t This Be Love” and “Right Now.”
Hagar also dove into the Diamond David Lee Roth days, “Panama” and “Somebody Get Me a Doctor,” with Anthony on vocals. The closing spree was a Van Halen-free “Heavy Metal,” “I Can’t Drive 55” (or, simply “55” on the band’s backstage set list) and “Eagles Fly.”
A side-stage view is a VIP opportunity for fans who want a heightened concert experience. Twenty-two standing-only tickets are offered in a tightly confined spot. (Hagar should sign with a sardine company for naming rights for that spot.)
Hagar toasts that group of revelers repeatedly. He also moves to stage right to hug and swap vocals with Anthony, the lone holdover from the original Van Halen days.
The night was otherwise unique for the band intro, called out by the ever-rocking Eddie Trunk, host of “Trunk Nation” on SiriusXM. Hagar’s performances have a family feel. At age 78, he parties and performs with those whom he feels comfortable.
At the end of the show, the band was laughing as they left the stage, knowing they’d parked it on opening night. Hagar offered a fist-bump and asked, “How’d we do?” He didn’t wait for an answer, shouting, “Right on!” That about covers it.
On the topic of classic rock …
We have a former member of The Doors playing the “Rat Pack is Back” room at Tuscany Suites. Robby Krieger & The Soul Savages are playing The Copa Room at 7:30 p.m. on April 24. Psychedelia and melodic vibes will rule the night.
Tuscany GM Grayson McNees is going after a Viper Room-style effect in that room, with a heavy dose of rock acts. Krieger is the first Rock and Roll Hall of Famer to play the venue since its rock emphasis started in May. I can’t recall any member of the Hall on that stage, though someone out there is welcome to prove otherwise.
Tickets are $40 early bird, or now $45 for GA. Well drinks run $10 to $12, beers (and FizzyWater) $5 to $7, and the parking is .. What, kids? Free is what.
‘Ka’ extends
The Cirque gem “Ka” at MGM Grand has been an industry leader in so many ways over the years, including the repeated attempts to close the show. Those forecasts date back seven or eight years. But we’re reliably informed through MGM Resorts brass that the show has been extended through November 2027. The show opened for previews in November 2004.
The theater has long been sought by would-be producers, including those behind “ABBA Voyage,” who quickly realized that renovating the space for the avatar production would cost a fortune. Others learned of the economic and operational challenges of remodeling the custom-built theater. Those issues have helped extend “Ka’s” run on the Strip.
An idea whose time has come
The creative team at Oddyssey Noir is mulling a 48-hour party at the carnival warehouse at Area15. This warehouse carnival/rave is already akin to an open-ended party. Area15 GM of Entertainment Venues Brandon Pereyda tells me he likes the idea. He has an appreciation of long-party ideals as a former cast member of “Zumanity.” That show’s opening party went on until about 9 a.m. the day after its world premiere.
Honoring Monti
The celebration of life for Monti Rock III is set for 4-7 p.m. April 19 at Chill Bar & Grill at 7905 W. Sahara Avenue. The Vegas bon vivant who was forever on the comeback trail died Feb. 23 at his home in Las Vegas. He was 86. Rock had long suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
No listed dress code for his memorial. Just make it fabulous.
Tease this …
A show that mixed experiences and closed not long ago is sampling an offer to come back to an off-Strip annex … This one had a grape … er, great … concept.
Cool Hang Alert
The Windjammers, a yacht rock band that takes waves rather than tracks, plays Rocks Lounge at Red Rock Resort at 7 p.m. Friday. This is Jerry Lopez’s terrific lineup of Jamie Hosmer, Larry Esparza, Steva Ganthe, Mike Szuter and Rob Mader. The band’s musical precision reminds of Lopez’s brilliant Santa Fe & The Fat City Horns. That band still kills at 7:30 p.m. Mondays at The Copa at Bootlegger Bistro. Get to all of it, is what we’re saying.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.
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