It was terrible: The performances that left Sammy Hagar in pain..

Every musician has to adapt to the demands of a touring lifestyle. It’s impossible to stay confined to the studio without feeling a little stir-crazy, and sharing the music live with fans becomes a powerful outlet for all that bottled-up creative energy. Although Van Halen had a reputation as one of the ultimate touring bands, Sammy Hagar recalled feeling absolute misery during one of their grueling tours.

It’s difficult to reflect on Hagar’s time with the band without comparing him to his predecessor, David Lee Roth. While Hagar brought an everyman vibe to the stage, Roth exuded a natural charisma, feeling at home under the stage lights as he reveled in the crowd’s applause, drank whiskey straight from the bottle, or showcased his flashy moves.

Despite Roth’s comfort on stage, Hagar’s raw musical talent resonated deeply with fans. Known as ‘The Red Rocker,’ Hagar was already a star in his own right, and his powerful vocals paired with Eddie Van Halen’s mastery on keyboard and guitar kept audiences engaged. While the theatricality had been toned down, fans could feel the fun and energy the band brought to each performance.

However, this energy took a hit at the Monsters of Rock Festival in 1988. With the success of 5150, their album

OU812 was set to be another triumph, until Hagar suffered an accident, slipping and injuring himself on a platform during the show’s intro.

Initially brushing it off, Hagar soon realized the severity of his injury. “I ran over to my side of the stage and asked, ‘What’s going on?’ My guy said, ‘Dude, you don’t want to know!’ … I couldn’t see it, but I was about to faint… I had a fractured tailbone, vertebrae knocked out of place, and had to get stitches. It was brutal.”

Still, Hagar was not one to cancel on fans. Despite the excruciating pain and relying on painkillers to get through, he pressed on and completed the tour. Reflecting on it, Hagar later admitted he’d never want to endure such a tour again. “It was horrendous until the last show. … In Denver, I couldn’t hit the high note in ‘Eagles Fly’ because of a sinus and ear infection from flying. I was run down, on antibiotics, and had to get a daily steroid shot from a doctor.”

This grueling experience is a reminder of what artists endure on the road. Performing for fans can be rewarding, but the mark of a true professional is pushing through the pain and making sure the show goes on.