March 29, 2009

From the perspective of someone who has seen Sammy Hagar in concert more times than I can count, I can tell you his appeal is something that can only be appreciated by watching him perform live. His recordings are great; there are some I like more than others, but they don’t come close to the fever he generates between himself and his fans while he’s onstage.

Sammy tours all over the world, but he also does an annual week-long series of concerts in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico to celebrate his birthday in October.

No matter where he performs, Sammy includes the audience as part of every show. From the front row to the back, he’s in your face. He sweats on you, throws tequila on you, shares his drinks with you. Sometimes he pulls you onstage with him or holds the mic for you to sing a few words. (Which isn’t always a good thing in my case.) You never know what to expect.

He signs everything the fans offer—from bare body parts to album covers, posters and tee shirts.

His concerts are not just concerts; they’re wild, explosive parties, sometimes complete with confetti and balloons. Always with tequila.

Considering all the concerts by various big name rock or blues bands I’ve attended in my life, I have never seen anything like Sammy’s shows. At 61, Sammy has the energy of a 20-year-old. And when I’m in the audience, he makes me feel 20 again too.

During every show, between songs, Sammy talks to the crowd as if they are his best friends.

He has said more than once, “I know most of you on a first-name basis!”

It’s true.

He tells the audience things about his personal life in graphic detail.

The first time I heard this, I was shocked, but at the same time, I liked it. He was so bad… he was so good. He was genuine and didn’t care who didn’t like it.

Even now, he never fails to surprise me.

In interview after interview, Sammy reiterates how much his fans mean to him. In song after song, he sings about pursuing happiness and treating others the way you want to be treated. He strives to make people happy and show them a good time. And he succeeds.

Why else would middle-aged men and women—doctors, truck drivers, homemakers and insurance salesmen use their hard-earned money to fly to Mexico, spend entire nights sleeping on the cobblestone sidewalk merely for the chance to get tickets to see Sammy perform? It’s insane!

You have to see Sammy in concert to understand.