Sammy Hagar surprised fans — and likely David Lee Roth himself — by turning his album release into an unexpected birthday tribute to his longtime counterpart. The Red Rocker shared a video on Instagram celebrating the launch of his new live album, Residency, which happened to drop on October 10 — the same day Roth turned 70. What seemed at first like a promotional post quickly became something more playful and symbolic.
In the clip, Hagar stood alongside his band, explaining the coincidence between the album’s release and Roth’s birthday. “October 10th is also David Lee Roth’s birthday,” he said with a grin. “Guess what? It’s a birthday present to Dave from us.” The rock legend then led his group in a raucous birthday serenade for his former Van Halen counterpart, poking fun while keeping things lighthearted.
“Happy birthday to David Lee Roth,” Hagar shouted, adding with a smirk, “He’s a f*cking Libra, he can’t be all bad.” The moment struck the perfect balance of humor and respect, a tongue-in-cheek nod to one of rock’s most famous rivalries. In the caption, Hagar doubled down on the gesture, calling Roth a “fellow Libra” and dedicating the next “bad ass song” to him — one they co-wrote during their shared era of Van Halen history.
A Celebration of Legacy
Hagar’s birthday gesture wasn’t just about Roth — it also marked the arrival of one of his most ambitious live albums yet. Sammy Hagar & The Best of All Worlds Band – The Residency features 19 tracks recorded at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas earlier this year. The album captures the high energy and chemistry of Hagar’s Vegas performances, spotlighting his enduring connection to the Van Halen legacy.
The record includes performances pulled from nine shows, with the final album compiled from two standout nights. Hagar’s lineup reads like a who’s who of rock veterans: Michael Anthony on bass, Joe Satriani on guitar, Kenny Aronoff on drums, and Rai Thistlethwayte on keyboards. Together, they reimagined classics from Hagar’s expansive career, including deep cuts from his Van Halen years that hadn’t been revisited in decades.
Hagar described Residency as his “deepest dive” into his Van Halen catalog in over 20 years. The advance single, “Summer Nights (Live),” carried particular emotional weight. Co-written with Eddie Van Halen, the song reminded Hagar of the band’s creative spark, calling it “a river of consciousness” and the “theme song for a beautiful summer night.” The timing of its release on Roth’s birthday added yet another layer of nostalgia and irony to the occasion.
Two Frontmen, One Band, Endless Debate
For decades, the Van Halen fandom has been split down the middle — Team Roth or Team Hagar. The rivalry between the two singers has been part friendly competition, part tabloid drama, fueled by differences in personality, sound, and stage presence. Roth’s flamboyant showmanship contrasted sharply with Hagar’s grounded, powerhouse vocals, and each frontman carved a unique chapter in the band’s storied history.
David Lee Roth’s era defined the band’s wild early years, from 1974 to 1985, with hits like “Jump” and “Panama” embodying the hard-partying spirit of rock’s golden age. Hagar took the reins afterward, leading Van Halen into a more polished, chart-topping phase that produced classics like “Why Can’t This Be Love” and “Right Now.” The two vocalists rarely shared the spotlight, yet their combined legacies built one of the most influential catalogs in rock.
Despite occasional public jabs and competing tours, moments like Hagar’s recent tribute suggest a mellowing of tensions — or at least a mutual acknowledgment of their intertwined fates. With both men now in their seventies, the rivalry feels less like a feud and more like a shared badge of honor between two survivors of rock’s most volatile band.
A Symbolic Peace Offering
Hagar’s decision to tie his album release to Roth’s milestone birthday was more than clever timing — it was a symbolic peace offering. It reminded fans that beneath the competition lies respect for a shared musical journey that defined an era. The video’s mix of humor and sincerity hinted that the animosity of the past may finally be giving way to reflection and camaraderie.
Roth, who turned 70 on October 10, has largely stepped away from the spotlight in recent years, while Hagar remains an active performer. Yet both continue to represent different sides of the Van Halen spirit — one rooted in theatrical flair, the other in musical craftsmanship. Together, they embody the band’s lasting influence and the creative tension that made it great.
Whether Hagar intended the stunt as a playful dig or a genuine tribute, fans saw it as the perfect encapsulation of their dynamic: competitive, cheeky, and unmistakably rock ’n’ roll. In celebrating his rival’s birthday through his own success, Hagar didn’t just reignite their rivalry — he reminded the world why both singers remain legends in their own right.