What Happened to Samuel Roy Hagar?

Samuel Roy Hagar, affectionately known as "The Red Rocker," has maintained a dynamic career spanning over five decades in music and entrepreneurship. Born on October 13, 1947, Hagar first gained prominence in the early 1970s as the frontman for the hard rock band Montrose. Following his departure, he embarked on a successful solo career, scoring a major hit in 1984 with "I Can't Drive 55." His career reached new heights when he replaced David Lee Roth as the lead vocalist of Van Halen in 1985, leading the band through a highly successful period until his initial departure in 1996 and a subsequent reunion from 2003 to 2005. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Van Halen in 2007.

Beyond music, Hagar is a shrewd businessman. In 1990, he opened the original Cabo Wabo Cantina in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, which evolved into a world-famous party destination and a thriving lifestyle brand. His pioneering venture into the spirits industry saw him sell his Cabo Wabo Tequila brand to Gruppo Campari in two transactions in 2007 and 2009 for a combined $95-99.7 million, a move widely credited with kickstarting the celebrity-owned spirits trend. He continues to own Sammy's Beach Bar Rum and co-founded Santo Tequila with celebrity chef Guy Fieri.

As of 2026, Hagar remains exceptionally active in his musical career. He is performing a "Best of All Worlds" Las Vegas residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM, with dates scheduled for March and September 2026. This residency features his "Best of All Worlds Band," including former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony, guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani, and drummer Kenny Aronoff. In June 2026, he launched a U.S. summer tour with special guest Rick Springfield, and in July 2026, he embarked on a four-date UK arena tour, his first full UK tour in nearly three decades, with Joan Jett & The Blackhearts. These tours are notable for their heavy inclusion of Van Halen material, a deep dive into his tenure with the band.

In October 2025, Hagar released "Sammy Hagar & The Best of All Worlds Band – The Residency," a 19-track live album recorded during his successful 2025 Las Vegas residency. However, September 2026 brought some challenges when his flagship Cabo Wabo Cantina in Cabo San Lucas was hit by Tropical Storm Marie, causing significant flooding and damage. Hagar quickly updated fans on social media, confirming that while the situation was a "disaster," cleanup efforts were underway, and the club was expected to reopen within days, with his annual Birthday Bash still planned for October.

On a more personal note, in September 2026, Hagar publicly responded to former bandmate Alex Van Halen's recent comment calling him "a complete idiot," stating that the remark was "unnecessary at this time in our lives." Despite such occasional public spats, Hagar's enduring passion for music, his entrepreneurial spirit, and his connection with his fanbase, often referred to as "Redheads," continue to define his legacy. His estimated net worth ranges from $120 million to $150 million, largely bolstered by his business acumen.