Sammy Hagar, the rock legend and Cabo Wabo Cantina founder, is taking a moment this Thanksgiving to reflect on what matters most. In a recent conversation, Hagar expressed gratitude for his health, career, and the ability to support his loved ones.
A Life of Gratitude
Hagar, known for his electric stage presence and entrepreneurial spirit, emphasized the importance of prioritizing oneself to better care for others.
“If I’m not healthy, I can’t do anything for anyone else. I can’t help my family,” he said. “In a way, I think you have to put yourself really high on your own list and say, I want to be healthy and be able to be there for my family and friends. And so that’s what I’m grateful for, is my health and my success that I can do so much for other people. It’s like that feels good.”
For Hagar, success isn’t just about personal gain but the opportunity it creates to make life better for those around him.
Love and Longevity
Married to Kari Karte since 1995, Hagar values the enduring connection with his wife, which began at a birthday party for a mutual friend in the mid-1990s. Reflecting on their relationship, he revealed the secret to their bond: maintaining physical closeness and mutual respect.
“We still have fun in the bedroom, I tell you that. You know what I mean? I think I always say that, you know, when you guys are sleeping in separate beds and stuff, well, that’s usually the end of it,” Hagar said candidly.
“[Being] physical is really a big part of life, and you keep it physical, keep it hot, keep the heat on, and don’t ever try to tell a woman what to do.”
Together, they’ve raised two daughters, Kama and Samantha, alongside Hagar’s sons from a previous marriage, Aaron and Andrew.
Following in His Footsteps
Andrew, one of Hagar’s sons, has pursued a music career of his own, much to his father’s surprise.
“It blew my mind how good his songs were and how good his lyrics were and his melodic sense and the fact that he played guitar,” Hagar recalled. “I said, ‘When did you start playing guitar?’ I mean, he didn’t live at my house, so I didn’t see it.”
Although Andrew initially focused on martial arts, his passion for music emerged later in life, leading to the release of his debut EP and the formation of his band, Andrew Hagar and the Midnight Suns.
A Legacy of Rock
Hagar’s own journey began straight out of high school, with his big break arriving when he joined Van Halen in 1985. As the band’s lead singer, he contributed to four multi-platinum albums before parting ways in 1996. Despite a brief reunion in 2004, tensions between Hagar and Eddie Van Halen led to years of estrangement.
Before Van Halen’s passing in 2020, the two reconciled, with hopes of future collaborations.
“He wanted to keep going,” Hagar shared. “He was getting into it before he died. When we first connected, you know, again, after we went through all the fighting, and he was sick, and I reached out, and we got together and talked a lot. He was talking about playing cello and playing some wind instruments.”
Looking Ahead
As Hagar reflects on his life and career this Thanksgiving, his message is one of gratitude, self-prioritization, and love for family. With his health and success as his foundation, he continues to inspire those around him, both on and off the stage.
