Concert Reports
Sammy Hagar
07/21/2023, California Mid State Fair, Paso Robles
The California Mid-State Fair welcomed back the “Red Rocker” Sammy Hagar, on Friday, July 21 at 7:30pm. The concert took place in the Chumash Grandstand Arena at the Paso Robles Event Center, part of the Michelob Ultra Concert Series
All Photos: Ray Soto / Central Coast Rocks
Opening with his signature “There’s Only One Way To Rock,” the Red Rocker, Sammy Hagar made his triumphant return to The Mid State Fair Grandstand Arena, having last performed at the Fairgrounds in 2009. “It’s Been a minute” said Hagar as he greeted the crowd, many of whom travelled from out of the area and are known affectionately as “Redheads,” Sammy’s die hard fans.
This time Sammy’s band, known as ‘The Circle” consisted of Vic Johnson on Guitar, Kenny Aronoff on Drums ( John Mellencamp ) & Hagar’s old Van Halen bandmate Michael Anthony on Bass. Anthony added to the chemistry of the night with his signature background vocals on Van Halen classics “Right Now,” “Top Of The World,” and taking the lead vocals on “Aint Talkin Bout Love,” which Anthony dedicated to Eddie Van Halen. The Circle's second studio album "Crazy Times" is out now.
The night’s setlist was a rockers dream as Hagar classics “Three Lock Box,” “I’ll Fall In Love Again,” and “Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy” traded punches with the Van Halen hits which begs the question if there will be a full blown Van Halen tribute show or tour in the future. Hagar and Anthony seem up to the challenge if any other former members of VH decide to join for such an outing but one thing is for sure, The Red Rocker will be entertaining masses for years to come.
For the last four decades, Sammy Hagar has been one of rock music's most dynamic and prolific artists. From breaking into the industry with the seminal hard rock band Montrose, to his multiplatinum solo career, to his ride as the front man of Van Halen, Chickenfoot and his latest 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. Hagar is also a dedicated philanthropist, two-time New York Times best-selling author and auspicious entrepreneur.
Since launching his flagship Cabo Wabo Cantina in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico in 1990, Hagar has turned a lifelong passion for great food, music and spirits into a thriving lifestyle brand encompassing successful restaurants, bars, spirits and retail. His annual Birthday Bash has become one of the year’s most legendary jam-sessions for rockstars to perform at and coveted tickets for music fans to attend. He’s since expanded his Cantina brand to include successful outposts in Las Vegas and Hollywood. In addition to the Cantinas, he’s successfully launched Sammy’s Beach Bar and Grill restaurants in four airports, donating his proceeds from these locations to local charities.
Sammy’s now legendary foray into spirits began as a personal quest to find a quality tequila to drink with his friends at the Cantina and by 2007 he and his team had built Cabo Wabo Tequila into the #2 selling premium tequila in the US. In 2010, Hagar sold his interests in Cabo Wabo Tequila to Gruppo Campari in a deal which is widely credited as the start of the celebrity- backed spirits trend. One year after conquering the tequila market, Sammy turned his attention to rum. In its first year, Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum was awarded “Best of Show” by the Nightclub and Bar Show and “Double Gold” at both the Los Angeles Spirits Competition and New York Spirits Competition. In 2017, Sammy returned to the world of agave with the launch of Santo Mezquila, the World’s first tequila-mezcal hybrid. In 2019, he joined forces with acclaimed Emmy Award-winning chef and restaurateur Guy Fieri to expand the Santo brand with the launch of Santo Tequila Blanco, a premium old-world style tequila.
The California Mid-State Fair has chosen a new theme for 2023, featuring the tagline “Shake, Rattle & Roll!!”. The annual theme is featured throughout the 2023 California Mid-State Fair, appearing in exhibits, demonstrations, printed materials, billboards, as well as being used on the fair’s website.
California Mid-State Fair CEO Colleen Bojorquez said, “We are so excited to incorporate the glitz and glamor of vintage Las Vegas into the 2023 Fair! We can’t wait to host the 77th annual Fair... full of games, rides, concerts, animals, and food!"
The 2023 California Mid-State Fair takes place in Paso Robles, CA and runs July 19 through July 30. Visit www.MidStateFair.com and stay connected on social media for more! Facebook Instagram