Hagar first came to prominence singing on the first two Montrose albums - Montrose (1973) and Paper Money (1974). Neither charted highly, but the band's début proved to be very influential and would ultimately achieve platinum status in the USA, representing one million shipments. Hagar would then become a solo artist with Capitol Records, putting out six studio albums and a live albums by 1980. At this point Hagar switched to Geffen Records, and was far more successful with this label. 1981's Standing Hampton went platinum, 1982's Three Lock Box went gold (half a million shipments) and 1984's VOA went platinum. Hagar briefly formed a supergroup HSAS who released an album and a single, but to little fanfare.
In 1985, Hagar would join Van Halen, who were signed to Warner Bros. Records. It was under Hagar the band would achieve their commercial peak, achieving four #1 studio albums - 5150 (1986), OU812 (1988), For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge(1991) and Balance (1995). Though Hagar's career remained focused on Van Halen, Hagar remained a solo artist also, putting out the successful I Never Said Goodbye album in 1987, and recording new songs for the Unboxed compilation in 1994.
Hagar returned to solo work in 1996 and continued to release albums steadily to moderate success. He put together a new backing band, The Waboritas and focussed work on his tequila business. He would rejoin Van Halen briefly to record three new songs for a compilation - The Best of Both Worlds (2004, platinum) and to undertake an 80 date Summer tour, before returning to work with The Wabos. In 2008, he released his first solo album since 1997, Cosmic Universal Fashion.He put the Waboritas on leave, he keeps his band paid year round. Sammy then started his next project - a self-titled album with the supergroup Chickenfoot featuring Michael Anthony of Van Halen, Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani who has previously played with Mick Jagger, Steve Vai and Deep Purple.
12 of Hagar's albums have achieved Gold or Platinum status in the USA, with a total of twenty-five Platinum certifications and four Gold certifications representing a total of 27 million shipments. Total US shipments are estimated to be well over 30 million. In Canada, Hagar's other main market for commercial success, only his Van Halen albums have achieved certification; ten Platinum certifications and one Gold meaning a total of 840, 000 shipments. Hagar's global sales surpass the 40 million mark, though his popularity is mostly centered in the USA.
Hagar was in Montrose from 1973-1975. Montrose's compilation include songs featuring Bob James who recorded with the band from 1975-1976 and Johnny Edwards who sang for the band in 1987. Concequently, not all songs on this album feature Hagar or his songwriting.
Sammy Hagar live at the Moondance Jam on July 10, 2008 with The Waboritas. Photo by Matt Becker
Studio albums
15
Live albums
3
Compilation albums
3
Video albums
3
Singles
33
The Waboritas (also known as "The Wabos") is a backing band Hagar uses on some of his albums, but he tends to still refer to these as solo albums so they have been kept together. On compilation albums, often no distinction is made between Hagar's solo work and his work with the Waboritas so none has been made here.
Baghdad Heavy Metal - Baghdad Heavy Metal (2007) The track "Cosmic Universal Fashion" was included here, which was later reworked and appeared on Hagar's full length album of the same name.
Santa's Going South - Toby Keith & Sammy Hagar (2011 - digital holiday single)
Hagar was in Van Halen from 1985-1996 and 2003-2005. Both of Van Halen's compilation albums also include songs featuring current lead vocalist David Lee Roth who recorded with the band from 1978-1984 and in 1996. Consequently, not all songs on these albums feature Hagar or his songwriting.