Sammy Hagar teams up with Def Leppard for a rockin’ performance of the Montrose hit song, “Bad Motor Scooter” 🎸 Hit the road with Sammy Hagar and his rockstar friends with the “Rock & Roll Road Trip with Sammy Hagar” marathon. Join the Red Rocker for backstage stories, unforgettable jam sessions and exclusive moments with some of the biggest names in music. Premieres TODAY and TOMORROW starting at 11a ET on AXS TV!

 

When Sammy Hagar straps on a guitar and hits the stage, you know something unforgettable is about to happen. The Red Rocker proved that once again when he teamed up with Def Leppard for a thunderous rendition of the Montrose classic “Bad Motor Scooter.” The collaboration served as the perfect reminder of Hagar’s deep legacy in rock music while also sparking fresh excitement for fans of both acts.

The performance, filmed as part of Hagar’s hit series Rock & Roll Road Trip with Sammy Hagar, is one of many highlights featured in a special marathon event airing on AXS TV. Beginning today and continuing tomorrow, starting at 11 a.m. ET each day, the network is offering fans a back-to-back showcase of the most electrifying episodes, filled with behind-the-scenes stories, candid conversations, and all-star jam sessions.

A Classic Revved Up Again

“Bad Motor Scooter” was first unleashed in 1973 by Montrose, the hard rock band that introduced Hagar’s powerhouse vocals to the world. Written by Hagar himself, the song became an anthem of the early ‘70s rock scene, defined by its driving riff and swaggering energy.

More than 50 years later, the song’s fuel still burns hot. With Def Leppard by his side, Hagar injected fresh adrenaline into the track, fusing his raw vocals with the band’s signature arena-ready sound. Joe Elliott and the rest of the Leppard lineup meshed seamlessly with Hagar, creating a performance that celebrated both nostalgia and timeless rock energy.

“It felt like coming full circle,” Hagar said of the collaboration. “Montrose was my beginning, and to play this song with Def Leppard—a band I’ve admired for years—was just pure magic. It’s the kind of moment that reminds you why we all fell in love with rock ‘n’ roll in the first place.”

Def Leppard Meets the Red Rocker

For Def Leppard, teaming up with Hagar was equally thrilling. The British rock giants, who have sold over 100 million records worldwide, brought their signature harmonies and polished power to the jam. Guitarists Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell traded licks with Hagar, while drummer Rick Allen and bassist Rick Savage kept the groove steady and thunderous.

Joe Elliott called the session “a celebration of what rock is all about—friends, fun, and playing music loud. We grew up on songs like ‘Bad Motor Scooter,’ so being able to jam it with the guy who wrote it? That’s special.”

AXS TV’s Rock & Roll Road Trip Marathon

Fans who missed the original broadcast of Hagar’s jam with Def Leppard now have a second chance, thanks to AXS TV’s Rock & Roll Road Trip with Sammy Hagar marathon. The series, which ran from 2016 to 2020, became a cult favorite for its mix of raw performances, unscripted interviews, and glimpses into the offstage lives of legendary musicians.

Each episode followed Hagar as he traveled across the country, meeting up with icons of rock, country, and beyond. Whether cruising in a convertible, jamming in a garage, or hanging out backstage, the show offered an intimate view of music’s biggest personalities that fans rarely got to see.

This weekend’s marathon features standout episodes with Def Leppard, Toby Keith, Willie Nelson, Duff McKagan, Bob Weir, and more. It’s not just a showcase of music, but a reminder of Hagar’s gift for drawing stories and laughter out of his peers.

The Stories Behind the Songs

One of the hallmarks of Rock & Roll Road Trip is its focus on storytelling. In the episode with Def Leppard, for example, the band and Hagar swap tales about life on the road, the highs and lows of decades in rock, and the moments that shaped their careers.

“You hear the songs, you see the concerts, but you don’t always know what’s behind them,” Hagar explained. “This show is about pulling back the curtain and letting fans feel like they’re right there with us—on the bus, in the green room, or sitting in the living room talking about life.”

A Celebration of Rock Culture

The timing of the marathon feels fitting. With live music thriving again and classic rock still commanding massive audiences, Hagar’s series serves as both a celebration and preservation of the culture. By bridging generations of fans—some who grew up with Montrose and Van Halen, others who discovered Def Leppard decades later—Rock & Roll Road Trip demonstrates the lasting power of rock ‘n’ roll.

For AXS TV, the marathon is more than just reruns. It’s a chance to remind viewers of the importance of keeping these stories alive. “Sammy has always been a master storyteller and entertainer,” said an AXS TV spokesperson. “This series captures the soul of rock music in a way that no other program does, and we’re excited to bring it back for fans to experience again.”

Still on the Road

At 77, Sammy Hagar shows no signs of slowing down. Whether it’s touring with his band The Circle, making new music, or keeping rock alive on television, his energy remains as infectious as ever.

“Music is about connection,” Hagar said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s 1973 or 2025—when you hit that first chord and everyone feels it, that’s the real road trip.”

For fans tuning in to AXS TV this weekend, the message is clear: buckle up, because Sammy Hagar and his friends are still driving rock ‘n’ roll full throttle.

Would you like me to expand this into more of a TV guide-style preview (with a breakdown of episodes airing today and tomorrow), so fans know exactly what to expect in the marathon lineup?