It was another ridiculously fun time down in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, for Sammy Hagar’s Birthday Bash this year. As usual, the Wabos and Michael Anthony were there to partake in the festivities.
On one day during the weeklong bash, a bunch of fans who were partying at a beach bar all day where pleasantly surprised when none other than Michael Anthony and his entire family joined them on the beach!
As for the four concerts that took place between Oct 8th and Oct 13th, this years birthday bash brought some changes. For the first year ever, Sammy Hagar decided to pre-sell tickets to his annual Birthday Bash event in Cabo. This changes brought mixed reviews by Redhead fans. Some die hards that have supported Sammy and Cabo for years expressed some negative statements in connection with having to pay for entry, stating that Sammy always promised that all of the Birthday Bash shows would always be free and that there would never be a cover charge. Some talked nostalgically about sleeping in line previous years stating that this experience created ever lasting bonds and friendships between fans. The experience of the line gave the fans the opportunity to spend a large amount of quality time with other huge fans and allowed them to make friends from around the globe. And thanks to modern technology and Facebook, many of these relationships have blossomed into lifelong meaningful friendships.
On the other side of the argument, plenty of “newbies” stated that the reason they decided to travel to Cabo was simply because they were able to pre-purchase their tickets assuring them entry into at least one show. Many of them talked about how the line had kept them away in past years, stating that they would never feel comfortable sleeping on the streets of Mexico.
In fact, the previous two years presented fans with some health and safety risks, thanks to some very unusual weather. In 2008 there were threats of hurricanes and in 2009 there was flooding that resulted in many people getting sick. Concerns for fan safety has always been high on Sammy’s agenda and these concerns lead to his organization re-thinking the best way for fans to obtain entry into the Birthday Bash events.
There is still no confirmation on how Sammy and the Cantina will handle wristband distribution for next year. Surely lots of thought and planning will go into whatever decision is made by his organization.
This year, some of the good news was that Cabo’s weather was back to “normal,” which meant pristine, warm weather and low humidity each and every day during the 2010 Birthday Bash and not a single drop of rain or threat of a hurricane in sight. The bad news is that Sammy suffered from some health related issues that caused him to reschedule one of his Birthday concerts. His doctor was present and watching over him on October 12th when he insisted he did not want to let down his fans that traveled so far to see him. Although Sammy wasn’t feeling well, he took the stage against medical advice and did not disappoint anyone. By the next night, his actual birthday, Sammy was back on his “game” and put on an amazing show.
In the Cantina’s courtyard there was a live feed where fans could stand beside a cardboard cutout of Sammy and send birthday wishes to Sammy and to “shout out” to other Redhead fans that were unable to attend the bash. Many fans had fun with this and it got pretty crazy…
Two fans even decided to exchange wedding vows in front of their “Redhead Family” at the Cabo Wabo Cantina on 10/10/10. Jorge served as officiant. Yet another example of the family-like bond between the fans.
As always, “You go there once… you’ll be there twice” will probably apply to all the newbies who were there this year. Until next year when we are all “Face Down in Cabo”once again…
Here’s what Sammy Hagar had to say after the bash:
“What a party! This year was truly like no other. Mona could not come down early so the ‘Other Half’ rocked the house for two nights. Thanks Mikey! Then I got very sick and had to move a night back to the 12th. So sorry to those Redheads who couldn’t stay to use their tickets. Speaking of that, it blew my mind how many virgins were in the house, hello new ticketing system! There seemed to be a significant number of fans in attendance who had never been able to get in before this year. And they were a wild crowd to say the least. Welcome to the Bash! I was still not really back for the third night, I felt like hell but played anyway – I was delirious but had a blast. I exited the stage by going through the crowd so you know I was insane by the end of the show. Four nights and we only repeated a few songs, that’s the way the Wabos roll in Cabo. And how about the Fan Cam? I watched for a minute after the show and there was some crazy shit going on. Look for that on RR.com soon. Next year it’s your turn. The off night we previewed the new movie ‘Be There Once, Go There Twice’ and everyone tells me the fans loved it. That will be out before Xmas.
Every year somehow seems to be better than the last. Playing with Chickenfoot for the Cantina’s Birthday was a blast, but nothing compares to the Bash itself. We have big plans for next year…..will you still need me, will you still come and see me when I’m 64?”
Peace,
Sammy
View the newly imported Cabo Wabo merchandise at Van Halen Store.
SETLISTS:
(thanks to 5150Mike)
Friday 10-8-10 (Special guest Vinnie Paul)
Good Enough
Runaround
5150
Top of the world
Best of Both Worlds
Finish What ya started
Right Now
Sexy Little Thing
Why Can’t this be love
Runnin With the Devil
Poundcake
Heavy Metal
Red
Whole lotta Zep
Saturday 10-9-10 (Special guests Vinnie Paul and Emmeril)
Shaka Doobie (The Limit)
There’s Only One Way To Rock
Three Lock Box
I’ll Fall in Love Again
Rock n Roll Weekend
Rock Candy
My Kinda Girl
Dreams
I’ve Done Everything For You
Ain’t Talkin Bout Love
Poundcake
LOUD
I Can’t Drive 55
Mas Tequila
Tuesday 10-12-10 (Special guest “Bling Bling”) :
Love or Money
Baby’s on Fire
Goin down
Make it last
Rock Candy
Bad Motor Scooter
Satisfaction (David Lauser on vocals)
Sexy little thing
Whole lotta love
There’s only one way to rock
Finish what ya started
Runnin with the Devil
Fight for you right
Mas Tequila
10-13-2010 (Special guest Steve from Smashmouth)
Shaka Doobie (The Limit)
Sympathy for the human
I’ll take you there
Three lock box
Your Love is driving me crazy
Space Station No. 5
Rock Candy
Bad Motor Scooter
Marching to mars/I feel good
Right now
Live it up
Everybody must get stoned
Red Voodoo
Sailing
You Really Got Me
Ain’t Talkin Bout Love
Sexy Little Thing
Heavy Metal
When I’m 64 (Chorus)