Summer in Florida brings tropical monsoon storms to the Sunshine State, it’s been a part of the climate since the beginning of time. This particular Sunday, entry was delayed to MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheater in Tampa, Florida because of one of these tropical storms. Patrons were left outside, in line, or in their cars waiting for the lightning and storm to pass so they could be granted entry to the Amphitheater which also has an open lawn section. Entry was scheduled for 5:30 pm and the show was to kick off with Loverboy taking the stage at 7:00 pm and headliner Sammy Hagar to begin at 8:20 pm.
Gates finally opened allowing the crowd in at 7:10 pm with news that Loverboy was being scratched from the bill, and Sammy Hagar was set for 8:30 pm in hopes that the worst of the monsoon would be over. There was a bit of a delay, but that just allowed enough time for the crowd to get to their seats and places on the lawn. The show was sold out as Sammy Hagar brought with him a backing band that resembled the supergroup, Chickenfoot, who never officially disbanded after the 2011 release of their second top-ten-selling album Chickenfoot III.
The core band of Chickenfoot consisted of Sammy Hagar (Van Halen), Joe Satriani, Madman Michael Anthony (Van Halen), and drummer Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers. Chad Smith wasn’t available as The Red Hot Chili Peppers are currently touring, so Smith was replaced with Jason Bonham, the son of Led Zeppelin‘s drummer, the late great John Bonham.
Who wouldn’t wait in a tropical storm for this line-up like this that also promised 15 Van Halen songs? Judging from the few empty seats, over 90% of the venue was full. Sure there was initial sadness that Loverboy wasn’t performing, but that would have been only a bonus.
The set started getting the crowd rowdy with a video of Van Halen when Sammy fronted the band. One would assume that the crowd was in no mood for any more delays as the band finally hit the stage with three songs from Van Halen, “Good Enough”, “Poundcake”, and “Runaround”. The fourth song “There’s Only One Way to Rock,” a Sammy Hagar original got the fans jumping as they were already on their feet from the start and that’s pretty much how the show went. The audience was soggy from the rain, but not too uncomfortable to rock and roll to a great show with exceptional musicians appearing to be having the time of their lives.
Sammy Hagar is an unpretentious and powerful frontman who keeps the focus and engages the crowd. His energy and vocals were spot-on and it appears he could be doing this for the next 20 years even as he is 76 years old now. I got a bonus on the drive home as I tuned into the local radio station that syndicates his “Sammy Hagar’s Top Rock Countdown” which runs every Sunday night. He is as wild on the radio as he is on stage, which made me smile as he is an inspiration to do what you love, and do it as long as you can! By the way, this week’s number one hit from his show about songs that make up summer was Led Zepplin’s, “The Ocean.” Which was quite appropriate to end the evening on the ride home.
“Singing in the sunshine, laughing in the rainHitting on the moonshine, rocking in the grainGot no time to pack my bags, my foots outside the doorI got a date, I can’t be late, for the high hopes hailla ball, uh uh, uh uh, yeah.”
Sammy Hagar Band Members (Chickenfoot):
Sammy Hagar – Vocals/Guitar
Joe Satriani – Guitar
Michael Anthony – Bass/Vocals
Jason Bonham – Drums
Rai Thistlethwayte – Keyboards/Vocals
Setlist:
1.Good Enough (Van Halen song)
2. Poundcake (Van Halen song)
3. Runaround (Van Halen song)
4. There’s Only One Way to Rock
5. Judgement Day (Van Halen song)
6. Panama (Van Halen song)
7. 5150 (Van Halen song)
8. Summer Nights (Van Halen song)
9. Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love (Van Halen song)
10. Top of the World (Van Halen song)
11. Best of Both Worlds (Van Halen song)
12. Satch Boogie (Joe Satriani cover)
13. The Seventh Seal (Van Halen song)
14. Right Now (Van Halen song)
15. Why Can’t This Be Love (Van Halen song)
16. Eagles Fly
17. Mas Tequila (Sammy Hagar and the Wabos song)
18. Heavy Metal
19. I Can’t Drive 55 (Followed by band introductions)
20. Space Station #5 / Oh Yeah / Jump
21. When It’s Love (Van Halen song)
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Photographer and Editor/Founder of AllMusicMagazine.com. My love of live music has taken me to incredible experiences with the top bands of all time in stadium shows to the smallest venues with equally inspiring musicians. Using the medium of photography and my publication, these memories will last forever.
