Sammy Hagar + The Circle - Casino Morongo, Cabazon, CA

​Casino Morongo in Cabazon, CA was the site for a rock and roll party that spanned Hagar’s 40-year career.The Circle is comprised of one of music’s best supporting casts. Here you have Michael Anthony, former bassist for Van Halen whom Sammy has known and played alongside for 30 years, guitarist Vic Johnson who’s been playing with Hagar since the mid 90’s, and veteran drummer Jason Bonham of rock royalty.


             At 9:00 pm Eddie Money came out to a packed house introduced the band.  They started off the set with a Hagar staple “There’s Only One Way to Rock” the show was off to a flying start. Bonham then pounded out a familiar drumbeat to all Hagar fans and thus began the Montrose hit “Rock Candy.” Hagar, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, nailed the vocals all night long. Not bad for a man who will be celebrating his 70th birthday this October.


             In addition to a stirring rendition of “Good Times Bad Times’” the band covered the Zeppelin tunes “When the Levee Breaks” and “Rock and Roll.” Other songs served as road markers for Hagar’s four decades including “Right Now,” “Poundcake,” and “Why Can’t This Be Love” from his time as lead singer for Van Halen. Chickenfoot was represented with “Bigfoot” and “I Can’t Drive 55,” “Little White Lies” and “Heavy Metal” from the solo albums. The set ended with “Mas Tequila,” a tune by Sammy and the Wabos, where he urged the crowd to change the name to “Mas Mezquila."


           With an encore of “Dreams” and the Led Zeppelin classic “Rock and Roll’ the night was complete. 


Feb. 24th, 2017
There’s Only One Way to Rock
Rock Candy
Good Times Bad Times
Poundcake 
I Can’t Drive 55
Big Foot
Right Now 
Little White Lies
When the Levee Breaks 
Why Can’t This Be Love
Finish Ya Started 
Heavy Metal
Mas Tequila
Encore
Dreams 
Rock and Roll
 
You can find my Photo Album from the show here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jschaef00/albums/72157680662883286
The Official Website is located here:
http://www.redrocker.com/
 All Images © Joe Schaeffer Photography