Sammy Hagar recently announced new shows with his Best of All Worlds Band and also cleared the air about the lineup changes, sharing details in a statement on Instagram.
Sammy Hagar loses band member
The rock veteran went on to confirm the upcoming tour dates and responded to fan inquiries about personnel changes in his band.
Hagar said, “We finally squeezed some time for the Best of All Worlds Band out of everyone’s schedules. Can’t wait to put the set list together for this one.”
When a fan specifically asked about the absence of keyboard player Rai Thistlethwayte, Hagar provided a direct explanation.
He responded, “He joined Toto, so we swapped keyboard players.”
The announcement confirms that Thistlethwayte’s departure was due to his commitment to joining the legendary rock band Toto. This necessitated a keyboard player change for Hagar’s upcoming Best of All Worlds Band performances.
This marks the second time Sammy Hagar altered a member of his band. He previously replaced his former drummer, Jason Bonham, with Kerry Aronoff, who received some criticism over his decision.
The lineup change comes as Hagar prepares for an extensive touring schedule that extends well into 2026. The rock veteran will team up with Rick Springfield for a six-date tour this summer, kicking off June 13th in St. Louis.
The Best of All Worlds Band is set to feature a star-studded lineup of seasoned musicians. Hagar’s band for the tour includes Van Halen founding bassist Michael Anthony, guitarist Joe Satriani, drummer Kenny Aronoff and keyboardist Greg Phillinganes, who replaces the departed Thistlethwayte.
Apart from the summer tour dates, Hagar has also scheduled an extensive Las Vegas residency. He will bring his “The Best of All Worlds” show back to Vegas for a total of 11 concerts throughout March, with dates on the 11th, 13th, 14th, 18th, 20th, and 21st.
