Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Sammy Hagar has released the official music video for his deeply personal new single, “Encore, Thank You, Goodnight.,” a track directly inspired by a dream encounter with his late Van Halen bandmate, Eddie Van Halen. The melodic rock anthem, co-written with guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani, is now available worldwide via Big Machine Rock.
The song’s origin is rooted in a vivid dream Hagar experienced about a year after Eddie Van Halen‘s passing in October 2020. Speaking to Rolling Stone, Hagar described the dream: “He had a guitar around his neck, and we were having a love fest since we hadn’t seen each other in a long time. And he just started playing this riff, and I started singing.” The experience left such an impression that Hagar immediately began writing upon waking. “I just grabbed a pad and a pencil,” he recalled. “And I got my iPhone. My wife’s screaming, ‘What are you doing?’ I said, ‘Writing a song!’ It just kept coming and coming.” Hagar firmly believes the dream was more than just subconscious thoughts, stating, “This was one hundred percent a communication from the beyond. There is no question about it.”
Rather than a sorrowful tribute, “Encore, Thank You, Goodnight.” serves as a powerful celebration and an expression of gratitude for the iconic chapter Hagar shared with Eddie and Van Halen. “This song is my final bow to that part of my life,” Hagar explained. “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 formidable lineup, with Hagar on vocals, fellow Van Halen alumnus Michael Anthony on bass and backing vocals, Joe Satriani handling guitar duties, and Kenny Aronoff on drums. Hagar praised his collaborators, particularly Satriani: “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. 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.” The track was produced by Hagar, Satriani, and Eric Caudieux.
Fans eager to hear the song live won’t have to wait long. “Encore, Thank You, Goodnight.” is scheduled for its live debut on April 30th, 2025, at the launch of Hagar‘s Las Vegas residency show at Dolby Live at Park MGM. The single was serviced to rock radio stations on April 25th, accompanied by a digital campaign featuring behind-the-scenes content. A special seven-inch collector’s edition vinyl is also planned for pre-order.
This latest release adds another chapter to Sammy Hagar‘s storied four-decade career. From his beginnings with Montrose through his multi-platinum solo success, his tenure fronting Van Halen, and his work with supergroups Chickenfoot and The Circle, Hagar has remained a vital force in rock music, earning a Grammy Award and his place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Beyond music, he’s built a successful lifestyle brand encompassing restaurants, award-winning spirits like Santo Spirits (with Guy Fieri) and Sammy‘s Beach Bar Rum (with Rick Springfield), television and radio shows, and significant philanthropic work. “Encore, Thank You, Goodnight.” stands as a poignant, musically potent tribute born from a unique connection felt beyond the physical realm.
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