See Guy Fieri’s Emotional Speech Honoring Van Halen’s Sammy Hagar

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 30: Guy Fieri speaks onstage at the Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Ceremony honoring Sammy Hagar on April 30, 2024 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Guy Fieri delivered an emotional speech while honoring Sammy Hagar as the musician became the latest recipient of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced last month that the Van Halen frontman would receive its 2,779th star during an event on Tues., April 30. Fieri, a longtime friend of Hagar’s, was enlisted to deliver a speech introducing Hagar at the ceremony.

The restauranteur began his speech by admitting he had initially planned to “wing it” but thought better of the strategy, choosing instead to prepare for the moment. He noted that Hagar’s wife, Kari, and their two children, Kama and Samantha, were in the audience. Aaron and Andrew, the two sons that Hagar shares with his first wife, Betsy Berardi, also attended in support of their father.

Fieri, 56, provided a brief overview of the musician known fondly among fans as the “Red Rocker.” He mentioned Hagar’s work with Van Halen, Chickenfoot and his current band, the Circle, before shifting to the entrepreneurial and philanthropic elements of Hagar’s five-decade career.

“His humble beginnings instilled in him an unstoppable work ethic that has been the driving force behind his rise to the top as a musician and entrepreneur, and continues to fuel his dedication as a philanthropist,” Fieri said.

The TV personality then shared one specific example of Hagar’s philanthropy that he “did research” to learn more about. Over the last several years, the former mentor on The Voice has "donated more than $4 million to local communities, including giving back to food banks, to every city he’s performed in for the last decade,” Fieri explained. “He goes to town, throws a party, and then gives back.”

Fieri then addressed his personal connection to the 76-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee.

“Some of the best advice I ever got was from my big brother, my mentor, my friend, my hero, the guy that I looked up to so much,” Fieri said. At this point in the livestream of the ceremony, the Grammy Award-winning artist could be seen reaching his fingers beneath his dark sunglasses to wipe tears from his eyes.

“When I got a chance to finally meet him and become friends, it has been life-changing,” Fieri said. “What I watch you do, how I watch you do it, who you do it for. You are humble, honorable, you recognize, you slow down. I’ve watched you—you taught me how to take care of the fans,” he continued, adding that Hagar has a way of making his fans “feel great.”

“My friend, thanks for being a mentor, thanks for being a friend,” Fieri said. "Thanks for being a dad, a great husband, a buddy, a philanthropist, the list goes on and on.”

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