Sammy Hagar has been a rock icon for decades, both as a solo artist and through his time with Montrose and Van Halen. With his album Crazy Times, Hagar shows that his creative energy is far from spent. In this conversation with Kyle Meredith, Hagar discusses the making of the album, his collaboration with producer Dave Cobb, and how the events of the last few years have influenced his music.
For Crazy Times, Hagar teamed up with producer Dave Cobb, known for his work with a variety of artists, including Chris Stapleton and Brandi Carlile. Hagar was initially set on creating a more laid-back, Americana-style record, reflecting the changes in his voice and musical tastes. However, Cobb had other ideas. “Dave wanted the definitive Sammy Hagar record,” Hagar explains. “He wanted Montrose, Standing Hampton, VOA, Three Lock Box, and Van Halen all in there.”
Rather than clashing with Hagar's vision, Cobb found a way to bring the best of both worlds. “He didn't tell me what to do,” Hagar says. “He inspired me. He'd take a song like Childhood's End and play it in a way I hadn’t considered, more like Sabbath, and I’d say, ‘Whoa, that’s cool.’” Cobb's ability to coax Hagar into tapping into his raw power while keeping the songs modern was key to the album’s success.
Hagar admits that the pandemic and the societal upheaval of recent years were pivotal in shaping the themes of Crazy Times. “I was writing about things I’d gone through during the lockdown,” he reflects. “The album gets a little dark at times, like the song "Crazy Times"—I went from being an optimist to questioning whether we’re ever going to get back to the world we knew.”
Despite the darker themes, Hagar approached the project with a holistic vision. "It became a concept record," he says. "Everything had to tie together, from the music to the artwork." The album cover, crafted by Todd Gallapo, was designed to match the mood of the songs and underwent several revisions as Gallapo listened to the music repeatedly. “It all became part of the statement,” Hagar explains, noting the attention to detail in making the album a full, immersive experience.
One of the standout tracks on Crazy Times is "Slow Drain," a song Hagar wrote in the studio with Cobb. “Dave kept pushing me,” Hagar recalls. “I was singing in a high range, and he just kept saying, ‘Give me another one.’ I didn’t think I could do it, but he got something out of me I didn’t know was there.”
This willingness to go the extra mile, even when he was exhausted, shows why Cobb is so respected as a producer. “That’s the sign of a great producer,” Hagar says. “He pushes you past your limits, and in the end, you’re grateful.”
The Red Rocker is known for having a deep vault of material, and fans will be excited to learn that one of his lost tracks, "Between Us Two," written with Van Halen, could see the light of day. When Meredith brought up the song, Hagar smiled. “Wow, I’d forgotten about that one,” he says. “It’s a mid-tempo ballad, almost country in feel, like "Can’t Stop Loving You". Maybe we’ll see it again one day.”
As for the future, Hagar shows no signs of slowing down. He’s excited to bring Crazy Times on tour and continue exploring his musical influences, both old and new. “I’ve still got a lot of music in me,” he says. “Whether it’s tapping into my past or pushing forward, I’m always ready for what’s next.”
Watch the interview above and then check out the video below.