When rock legends collide, magic happens—and Sammy Hagar just proved it with an unforgettable Alice in Chains tribute. But here's where it gets controversial: can a classic rock vocalist like Hagar truly do justice to grunge? The answer might surprise you.
Sammy Hagar, the iconic 'Red Rocker,' recently wrapped up his star-studded Annual Birthday Bash at Cabo Wabo Cantina in Cabo San Lucas. The week-long celebration, running from October 7th to October 13th (Hagar's actual birthday), featured a jaw-dropping lineup of special guests—including Alice in Chains’ Jerry Cantrell, Belinda Carlisle, and Anthrax’s Joey Belladonna.
And this is the part most people miss: Cantrell didn’t just show up—he owned the stage. Teaming up with guitarist Zach Throne and Hagar’s powerhouse rhythm section (drummer Kenny Aronoff and Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony), Cantrell delivered blistering renditions of Alice in Chains classics like "Would," "Rooster," and "Man in the Box." But Night 3 took an unexpected turn when Cantrell stepped into Eddie Van Halen’s shoes, belting out "Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love" before handing the mic back to Hagar for "Man in the Box."
Here’s the twist: Hagar’s signature rasp took on a darker, grittier edge—almost unrecognizable from his usual high-energy swagger. Fan-captured footage shows him leaning into the song’s brooding intensity, sparking debates: Does Hagar’s interpretation honor the original—or reinvent it? (Sound off in the comments!)
Other standout moments? Belinda Carlisle electrified the crowd with "We Got the Beat" and "Heaven Is a Place on Earth," while Joey Belladonna crushed covers of Journey’s "Separate Ways" and Van Halen’s "Best of Both Worlds" alongside Hagar.
What’s next for the Red Rocker? After this marathon of performances, Hagar shifts gears to his 2026 Las Vegas residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM, with 11 shows spread across March and September. Tickets are already up for grabs—but will his Cabo collaborations inspire new setlist surprises?
Watch the video below to see Hagar and Cantrell’s explosive team-up—and decide for yourself: legendary crossover or sacrilege to grunge purists?
