In a recent interview on SiriusXM’s *Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk*, Sammy Hagar shared details about the challenges faced during his “The Best Of All Worlds” tour. The tour, which saw Hagar performing alongside his bandmates in The Circle—Michael Anthony, Jason Bonham, and Joe Satriani—had to adapt quickly when Bonham had to leave due to a family emergency.
Hagar explained, “Jason’s family emergency was sudden. His mother had a stroke and went into a coma, so his whole family went over to the U.K. He held out for a few days but eventually had to leave. We needed a drummer quickly, and that’s when Kenny Aronoff stepped in.”
Aronoff, who had previously filled in for Chad Smith in Chickenfoot, was given just a 24-hour notice to join the tour. Hagar praised Aronoff’s ability to step up under pressure, saying, “He came in, and within 24 hours, he nailed a 90-percent perfect show. I make more mistakes every night than he did. Big hats off to Kenny.”
Hagar also noted that there’s a chance Aronoff could continue with the band for future shows, including their upcoming tour in Japan, depending on Bonham’s situation. He expressed his enthusiasm for working with Aronoff, calling him “the most enthusiastic guy,” and highlighting Aronoff’s excitement and dedication to the music.
The “The Best Of All Worlds” tour, which concluded on August 31 in St. Louis, featured a mix of Van Halen classics and Hagar’s solo hits. The setlist included songs from Van Halen’s *5150* and *For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge*, as well as Hagar’s solo favorites like “I Can’t Drive 55” and “There’s Only One Way to Rock.”
The tour’s success despite the unexpected change in lineup underscores the high level of professionalism and adaptability within the band. Fans of Hagar, Anthony, and Satriani can look forward to more performances, potentially with Aronoff behind the drum kit if the situation with Bonham remains unresolved.
