On Friday, April 25, renowned musician Sammy Hagar unveiled his highly anticipated new song titled “Encore, Thank You, Goodnight.” This captivating track was co-written with the legendary Joe Satriani and draws inspiration from a vivid dream Hagar had about the iconic guitarist Eddie Van Halen. The song reflects not only Hagar’s musical talent but also the deep emotional connection he has with Van Halen’s legacy.

During his appearance on Loudwire Nights on the same day, Hagar engaged in a profound discussion about the dream that sparked this creative endeavor, as well as his collaborative efforts with Satriani. He also shared exclusive insights into his involvement in Ozzy Osbourne‘s final concert, Back to the Beginning, scheduled for July 5 in Birmingham, England. To catch the full conversation, be sure to listen in the audio player located near the end of this article.

“I dream about Eddie Van Halen all the time,” Hagar shared enthusiastically with host Chuck Armstrong. “In this particular dream, we found ourselves tucked away in a secluded corner. Whenever Eddie had a new song idea, he would beckon me and say, ‘Come here, come here, I want to show you this!'” Hagar reminisced about how Van Halen would take him away from the hustle and bustle, not wanting any interruptions from others, including Alex Van Halen, who would often critique Eddie’s musical ideas, saying things like, ‘No, you’re playing too fast, Ed.’

In this dream, Van Halen was revealing a fresh new song to Hagar, reminiscent of their creative partnership in the past. “I woke up with such intensity; I immediately grabbed my notepad and started jotting down everything I could remember,” Hagar recounted, illustrating the urgency and excitement of the moment.

“I quickly retrieved my guitar and pulled out my iPhone to record some melodies. I passionately sang into my iPhone, and just like that, the song began to take shape. While I’ve often drawn inspiration from my dreams to write music, this experience was truly one-of-a-kind,” he reflected.

Sammy Hagar Prepares for an Unforgettable Performance at Ozzy Osbourne’s Last Show

Alongside celebrating his new musical release, Hagar took the opportunity to discuss his upcoming role in Back to the Beginning, the farewell concert for Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath, set to take place on July 5 in Birmingham, England. “When rumors began circulating about the show, Tom Morello reached out to me, asking, ‘Hey man, would you be interested in participating?'” Hagar enthusiastically recalled.

“Without hesitation, I responded, ‘Absolutely!’ He didn’t need to elaborate further. I was flattered to be considered among the first artists invited to this monumental event,” he added, emphasizing his excitement about the opportunity.

Hagar acknowledged that his vocal style is quite different from Ozzy Osbourne’s, making him an intriguing choice for the lineup. However, he has been diligently preparing each day leading up to the concert. “I’ve been immersing myself in Ozzy’s music,” he explained. “People often ask me, ‘What are you listening to?’ My answer is simple: Ozzy. I’m studying his vocal phrasing and unique melodic structure. He is such a distinctive vocalist; it’s truly an honor to be part of this show.”

While many artists involved in Back to the Beginning have remained tight-lipped about their plans, Hagar was eager to share insights into his performance. “I’ve chosen to perform ‘No More Tears,’ and Tom reacted positively, saying, ‘Oh, that would be fantastic,'” he disclosed.

“Later, he informed me that Ozzy wants to sing five songs and expressed interest in performing ‘No More Tears.’ I responded, ‘Alright, how about ‘Flying High Again’?’ and he agreed, saying, ‘You got it.’ So, as of now, I’m slated to sing ‘Flying High Again.’ However, if Ozzy changes his mind, I will gladly sing both ‘Flying High Again’ and ‘No More Tears,'” he confirmed with enthusiasm.

READ MORE: Ozzy Osbourne Reveals His Training Regimen For Back to the Beginning Concert

Additionally, Hagar mentioned that he was also offered the chance to perform one of his own classic tracks, leaning towards one of his earlier hits that resonates with the same era as Black Sabbath. “I thought I would sing ‘Rock Candy,'” he expressed, highlighting the connection between his music and that of Osbourne’s.

“Both Montrose and Sabbath emerged from a similar musical period, and I couldn’t be more thrilled about this opportunity,” he added, encapsulating his excitement for the upcoming performance.

Exciting Insights from Sammy Hagar on Loudwire Nights

• Hagar shared intriguing details about his dreams and inspirations: “I often dream about individuals who have passed away, including the likes of Elvis Presley and John Lennon. I’ve had experiences where it felt as if we were hanging out together. Additionally, I dream about my family members, including my mother and father, as well as many friends who have left us. Bill Graham is another person I used to dream about frequently, although it’s been a while since I last dreamt of him.”
• He also discussed why he considered releasing the new song under a different band name: “This track is almost a Chickenfoot song. At one point, I almost referred to it as a Chickenfoot track, but it doesn’t quite fit the mold of a Sammy Hagar song, nor is it strictly a Sammy and Joe collaboration. It’s also not a Van Halen song; it sits somewhere in between.”
• Hagar humorously recounted his beverage choices the night he conceived the dream that inspired this new song: “Oh, I probably indulged in my usual favorites, likely a margarita and a half of a bottle of wine.”

Catch the Full Interview in the Podcast Player Below

Sammy Hagar joined Loudwire Nights on Friday, April 25. The show is available for replay online, and fans can tune in live every weeknight at 7 PM ET through the Loudwire app. Additionally, listeners can check if the show is broadcasted on their local radio stations and access interviews on-demand.