Sammy Hagar, the legendary “Red Rocker” and former Van Halen frontman, brought his Best of All Worlds band to MGM National Harbor for two recent sold-out nights. I caught the opening night, and it delivered exactly what fans came to hear: more than two hours of expertly played hard rock celebrating one of the greatest catalogs of the genre.
The current Best of All Worlds Tour commemorates the 40th anniversary of Van Halen’s landmark 5150 album, Hagar’s first as the band’s lead singer. Stepping into the role after David Lee Roth was no easy assignment, but Hagar made the music his own and helped usher in one of the most successful eras in the band’s history. Following this summer’s North American dates, the tour heads to Europe before settling into a Las Vegas residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM later this year.
Hagar has assembled an all-star lineup for the tour. Drummer Kenny Aronoff provides his trademark powerhouse rhythm section, guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani brilliantly recreates Eddie Van Halen’s iconic guitar work while adding his own touch, and longtime Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony supplies the unmistakable backing vocals that helped define the band’s classic sound. Together, the four musicians sound remarkably tight.
At MGM National Harbor on June 26, the show exploded to life with “Why Can’t This Be Love,” immediately drawing a huge response from the packed theater. Hagar, now well into his seventh decade, remains an energetic and charismatic frontman. His voice was in excellent form throughout the evening, and the band never let the momentum dip.
Watch Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony perform “Why Can’t This Be Love” live at the 2007 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction on YouTube:
One of Hagar’s greatest strengths has always been his ability to connect with an audience, and that was on full display. Between songs, he shared stories, joked with fans, signed autographs, and even handed out cans of his signature beer to lucky audience members near the stage. The easy rapport made the evening feel surprisingly intimate despite the size of the venue.
As the band rolled through favorites including “Top of the World,” “Best of Both Worlds,” “Summer Nights,” and the title track from 5150, it became clear just how strong this lineup has become after more than a year on the road. While Van Halen material formed the backbone of the set, Hagar also reached back to his Montrose days with “Bad Motor Scooter” and showcased solo hits such as “There’s Only One Way to Rock,” “Heavy Metal,” “Cabo Wabo,” and “Mas Tequila.”
One of the evening’s highlights came when Michael Anthony took the lead vocal on “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love.” His performance was a reminder of how important his voice has always been to the Van Halen sound, and the crowd responded enthusiastically.
Another standout moment arrived with the beautiful “Love Walks In.” The song remains one of the defining tracks from the Hagar era, and hearing it performed live was a treat for longtime fans. Hagar noted that Van Halen rarely performed it during the band’s touring years, making its inclusion even more special.
Late in the show, Hagar launched into his enduring solo anthem “I Can’t Drive 55,” bringing the audience to its feet before closing the main set with the heartfelt “Eagles Fly.”
Watch the official music video for “I Can’t Drive 55” by Sammy Hagar on YouTube:
The encore featured “Encore, Thank You, Goodnight.,” Hagar’s tribute to Eddie Van Halen, complete with Satriani weaving in the unmistakable opening of “Eruption.” It served as a fitting conclusion to an evening built around celebrating the music that Eddie, Hagar, Anthony, and the Van Halen legacy created together.
For fans who experienced Van Halen during the Hagar years, the concert was a joyful trip back to one of rock’s greatest eras. For those who never had the opportunity, the Best of All Worlds Tour may be the closest anyone will ever come to hearing these songs performed with the power, precision, and spirit that made them classics.
Setlist
1. Why Can’t This Be Love
2. Top of the World
3. Best of Both Worlds
4. Summer Nights
5. Bad Motor Scooter
6. 5150
7. Love Walks In
8. Cabo Wabo
9. Mas Tequila
10. There’s Only One Way to Rock
11. Right Now
12. Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love
13. Satch Boogie
14. Good Enough
15. Heavy Metal
16. I Can’t Drive 55
17. Eagles Fly
18. Encore, Thank You, Goodnight. (with “Eruption” snippet)
Here are some photos of Sammy Hagar and his high-profile band performing live at MGM National Harbor on June 26, 2026. All pictures copyright and courtesy of James Todd Miller.
