Sammy Hagar Says He Won't Do Any Socially Distanced Concerts

While many artists are using socially-distanced or virtual concerts as a means of mitigating tremendous hardship brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic-related closures, Sammy Hagar says the lockdown workaround doesn't work for him.

"I have my fun by walking out onstage for two hours and playing the music and entertaining and talking to the folks and getting the feedback," Hagar said in a new interview. "There's nothing that will ever replace that. And I need it and I want it, and my fans need it and they want it, and we've got to have it. So we've got to get back to it."

Hagar and his bandmates from The Circle just released their Lockdown 2020 covers album, made up of songs the band recorded virtually (via smartphone) during their respective quarantines.

The former Van Halen frontman broadcast his annual birthday bash concert on pay-per-view this past October from Catalina Island in Los Angeles. Some fans were permitted to watch the show in-person from boats with a view of the stage.

Hagar says he's not interested in doing a show from his living room or from a stage in front of a parking lot. He has his doubts that even reduced-capacity rock concerts in traditional venues can stay COVID compliant.

But when it's safe, Hagar says he and The Circle will be ready. He said as much this last June.

"Big picture, it's about getting back to work in a safe and responsible way and getting this economy rolling again. I will do my part," he said.

Photo: Getty Images