By JOHN DALY
The music, culture and lifestyle TV network AXS TV has announced a schedule for the third season of “Rock & Roll Road Trip with Sammy Hagar.” The show follows the impresario of all things Cabo Wabo and former Van Halen front man as he trots around the U.S. hanging out with friends and performing live. But that’s just the beginning.
Of course, the Red Rocker’s circle of pals don’t include your “average Joes” from the beer league softball team. Quite the contrary. Sammy keeps the company of some of the most legendary musicians on the planet. And because he’s a buddy and fellow band guy, Hagar’s rock star friends share themselves in ways you may have never seen before.
The new season premieres Sunday, April 8, with an episode titled “Acoustic Foo a Cure.” Hagar joins Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters for an intimate, stripped-down performance. Guitar shredder Steve Vai and Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir also make appearances.
The episode was filmed last year at Acoustic-4-A-Cure, an annual fundraiser Hagar presents in the Bay Area to benefit The Pediatric Cancer Program at UCSF’s Benioff Children’s Hospital. The 2018 Acoustic-4-A-Cure concert will be held May 15 at San Francisco’s famed music hall The Fillmore.
Eleven episodes are slated for season three, featuring Sammy connecting with luminaries Rob Halford of Judas Priest, Todd Rundgren, Roger Daltrey, Sarah McLachlan, Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels from Run-D.M.C., Journey’s Neal Schon, and more.
“Rock & Roll Road Trip with Sammy Hagar” provided a slew of memorable moments in the first two seasons, and season three will be must-see rock TV if it’s anything similar. The Red Rocker has traveled to music industry hubs Los Angeles, Nashville and Austin in previous episodes, as well as awesome destinations like Hawaii. Naturally, Hagar’s adopted hometown of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, was also paid a visit.
Fans may recall the series premiere landed Hagar in the kitchen and studio with Mötley Crüe skin basher and bad boy Tommy Lee. The pair put their culinary skills to the test followed by a blistering performance of the Montrose rocker “Rock Candy.”
In season two, Hagar met up with Don Felder of the Eagles for a “Hotel California” jam session in Las Vegas. It was a fitting venue given the strong connection to poker enjoyed by the Eagles during their Laurel Canyon heyday.
It’s evident from the show that Hagar, who unbelievably turned 70 last October, still lives and breathes rock as much as ever. His genuine love of interacting with other musicians and jamming is infectious as it beams out of the TV and inspires his audience. Watch one episode and you’ll be wishing you were a rock god too!
If you can’t drive 55 and stirring up a Cabo Wabo tequila infused drink is your speed, catch “Rock & Rock Road Trip with Sammy Hagar” Sunday nights at 9/8c on AXS TV from April 8 through June 17. It’s a rocking good time!