Sammy Hagar has led a charmed life, but there’s been regrets and mistakes along the way.
He says that one of his regrets is not recording more albums. “I really thought touring was my avenue for success, because I’m a performer and I took recording lightly. I’d make a record as quick as I could so I could get back on tour.”
And among his financial mistakes, he says, “The first time I made a million dollars, I spent a lot of it. I bought my first house, and I bought a Ferrari and I invested some. And then next year, my accountant says, ‘You know, you’ve got $472,000 in taxes.’ And I go, “Holy [crap]. I need to book some shows. I’m broke!’
“That’s one thing. And also, you think you’re invincible. You’re making so much money year after year that you don’t realize it could come to an end all of a sudden. And for most artists, it does. The artists who have longevity, we’re lucky. Me, I’m the luckiest guy in the world.”
Hagar is one of the fortunate artists to have success both with their music and with other business ventures. In his case, his line of spirits and restaurants.
Other artists who can also lay claim to successful business ventures include Jimmy Buffett — writer, spirits, hotels, and restaurants; Boston‘s Tom Scholz — a line of guitar effects under the name Rockman; and KISS, who’ve franchised just about everything they possibly can.
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