Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Sammy Hagar’s powerful and deeply personal new single, “Encore, Thank You, Goodnight.” is out today and available on all digital platforms via Big Machine Rock — his first release since signing with the label.
The track was written by Hagar and guitar legend Joe Satriani, was inspired by a dream and brought to reality by introspective lyrics, powerful chords and rhythmic guitar and drums. debuts globally across all platforms today, accompanied by an official lyric video on YouTube, listen and watch now, HERE. Alongside the release, fans can check out a special clip from a roundtable video of Sammy and the band discussing the making of the song on Sammy’s Instagram.
A melodic rock anthem infused with introspective lyrics, powerful chords, and rhythmic energy, the song was co-written by Hagar and guitar legend Joe Satriani and inspired by a vivid dream about the late Eddie Van Halen. The emotional journey continues with performances from Michael Anthony (bass), Kenny Aronoff (drums), and production by Hagar, Satriani, and Eric Caudieux.
“This song is my final bow to that part of my life,” says Hagar. “It’s not meant to be anything more than a thank-you — with love, with respect, and with one hell of a guitar solo. Joe brought in that big, emotional, guitar-driven energy that feels like Eddie’s spirit but is entirely of Joe’s creation. With Michael Anthony’s thundering bass and stellar Van Halen-esque background vocals and Kenny Aronoff’s relentlessly powerful driving rhythms, the song really came together on all levels.”
Concurrent with the release, Big Machine Rock announced the signing of Hagar to the label, adding to its roster of chart-topping stars and emerging talent.
Sammy commented about joining Big Machine Rock, “I’ve known Scott for a few years and every time I run into him we realize how much we have in common. It’s like no matter how much time we spend together, we never get fully caught up on our mutual passions — music being one of them. It was inevitable we’d work together and I couldn’t be happier to be with Big Machine.”
“I’m a lifelong Sammy Hagar fan, from the first note of Montrose’ ‘Rock The Nation’ to the last note of ‘Encore, Thank You, Goodnight.’ and all stops in between,” says Big Machine Label Group Chairman & CEO Scott Borchetta. “For us to be part of this extraordinary moment in Sammy’s career is an absolute honor and we are coming with everything we’ve got to bring Sammy the huge hit he and the boys deserve!”
The release of “Encore, Thank you, Goodnight.” kicks off a monumental one for Hagar and the band, including:
· April 30: Fans at the launch of Hagar and the band’s Las Vegas residency will experience the song’s first live performance at the kick-off show at Dolby Live at Park MGM. Tickets for The Best of All Worlds Tour – The Residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM are available at: ticketmaster.com or RedRocker.com.
· A 7-inch collector’s edition vinyl will be available for pre-order, along with bundles and exclusive merchandise drops, here.
ABOUT SAMMY HAGAR: For more than four decades, Sammy Hagar has been recognized as one of the best and most accomplished lead singers and songwriters in rock music.
From breaking into the industry with the seminal hard rock band Montrose, to his multi-platinum solo career, to his ride as the frontman of Van Halen, Chickenfoot and his latest best-selling supergroup, The Circle, Hagar has amassed 25 Platinum albums on sales surpassing 50 million worldwide.
Along his journey, he has set the tone for some of the greatest rock anthems ever written with songs like “I Can’t Drive 55,” “Right Now,” and “Why Can’t This Be Love,” and earned the highest respect of the music industry with a Grammy Award and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Since opening his flagship Cabo Wabo Cantina in 1990, he’s turned a lifelong passion for great food, music and spirits into a thriving and iconic lifestyle brand encompassing restaurants and spirits.
A pioneer in the spirits industry, he launched Cabo Wabo Tequila in 1996 and catapulted it into the #2-selling premium tequila brand in the United States. In 2010, Hagar sold his interests in Cabo Wabo Tequila to Gruppo Campari in a 9-figure deal that’s widely credited as the start of the celebrity-owned spirits trend.
He now owns an award-winning portfolio of top-shelf spirits and beer which includes Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum, a partnership with Rick Springfield, Santo Spirits, a partnership with Guy Fieri, and Red Rocker Brewing Co. Never one to hit the brakes, Sammy’s also expanded his successes into publishing, TV, radio and beyond, including five seasons of his hit TV show “Rock & Roll Road Trip with Sammy Hagar” and as host of “Sammy Hagar’s Top Rock Countdown,” a weekly syndicated radio show on 90+ US stations.
He’s a #1 NYT bestselling author, a dedicated philanthropist, donating millions back to local communities through The Hagar Family Foundation, and as the first Honorary Ambassador to Los Cabos, an honor he was bestowed in 2022 in recognition of his longtime investment in the people and economy of Mexico. Visit RedRocker.com for more information.
“…one poignant new song that looks back at his relationship with Eddie Van Halen.” – Los Angeles Times
“The lyrics (“Thank you for the music/Thank you for the songs/Thank you for the good times”) express gratitude toward Eddie, and the many good years they shared together.” – Rolling Stone
“… a guitar-driven hard rock song that pays homage to EVH, both musically and lyrically.”
– Consequence of Sound
“With its speedy tapped licks and thundering grooves, “Encore, Thank You, Goodnight” evokes Hagar’s Van Halen heyday — and it serves as a fond reflection on the decade-long tenure that yielded four consecutive chart-topping, multi-platinum albums.”
– Ultimate Classic Rock
Official Music Video, Directed by ZZ Satriani, Debuts Following the Band’s Set at Stagecoach and During the YouTube Premiere April 27
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