Sammy Hagar Announces Tribute Song For Eddie Van Halen, Titled ‘Encore, Thank You, Goodnight’

Sammy Hagar is set to release a new solo single, “Encore, Thank You, Goodnight,” on April 25 via Big Machine Rock. The melodic rock track, co-written with guitar icon Joe Satriani, was sparked by a vivid dream Hagar had about the late Eddie Van Halen. The song, featuring thoughtful lyrics and strong instrumentation, will be available on all platforms, accompanied by a lyric video on YouTube.

According to Hagar, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, the dream occurred approximately a year after Van Halen‘s passing and had a profound impact, inspiring a song that serves as a “final bow” to that period of his life. “This song is my final bow to that part of my life,” Hagar stated. “It’s not meant to be anything more than a ‘thank you’ — with love, with respect, and with one hell of a guitar solo.”

The track features a notable lineup of musicians: Hagar on vocals, former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani on guitar, and Kenny Aronoff on drums. The production, helmed by Hagar, Satriani, and Eric Caudieux, aims for a sound that blends nostalgia with a contemporary edge. Hagar revealed that the dream included a specific harmonic lick played by Van Halen, which he incorporated into the song. “He’s going, ‘Man, let’s write some music!’ I said, ‘Yeah, f**k it, man. Here, let’s go!'” Hagar recalled from the dream in a previous interview. “Eddie did this harmonic thing and he slid it up to a chord, like a slide guitar. We wrote a song with that lick,” he added. “I remembered it. I got up in the morning and I wrote the song. I used the f**kin’ lick that he showed me in the song.”

Hagar emphasized Satriani‘s crucial role in shaping the song’s emotional landscape. “Joe was the perfect partner to help me shape the sound — he brought in that big, emotional, guitar-driven energy that feels like Eddie’s spirit but is entirely of Joe’s creation,” he explained. He further credited Michael Anthony‘s “thundering bass and stellar Van Halen-esque background vocals” and Kenny Aronoff’s “relentlessly powerful driving rhythms” for bringing the song together.

The release week for “Encore, Thank You, Goodnight” includes several key events. The official music video, directed and edited by ZZ Satriani, will premiere live on April 27 during Hagar‘s headlining performance at the Stagecoach festival’s Palomino Stage and simultaneously worldwide via a YouTube premiere. Following this, the debut live performance of the new song will take place on April 30 at the opening night of Hagar and his band’s Las Vegas residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM. The residency is titled “The Best of All Worlds Tour.”

“Encore, Thank You, Goodnight” will also be serviced to classic, active, and mainstream rock radio on April 25. A comprehensive digital campaign is planned across social media platforms, featuring behind-the-scenes footage, TikTok and Instagram reels, and fan-generated content. Additionally, a seven-inch collector’s edition vinyl will be available for pre-order, along with various bundles and exclusive merchandise.

Sammy Hagar‘s career spans over four decades, marked by his tenure with Montrose, a successful solo career, his time as the frontman for Van Halen, Chickenfoot, and his current supergroup The Circle. His contributions have earned him recognition as one of rock music’s most accomplished singers and songwriters, with over 25 platinum albums and worldwide sales exceeding 50 million. This new single marks another chapter in his enduring legacy, blending personal reflection with the powerful rock sound that has defined his career.