SAMMY HAGAR SERVES UP A STIFF ROCK MARGARITA

During Sammy Hagar's nearly three-hour concert Wednesday night, the Show Me Center stage came to resemble a surfer garage sale.

Fans tossed all manner of clothing and banners stageward, and the Red Rocker dutifully tried on most of the garments -- except the bras. Halfway through, Hagar mixed margaritas for himself and the crowd down front.

You don't go to a Sammy Hagar concert looking for insightful social commentary or tender ballads. But if you're in the mood for a protest song against having to drive 55 mph or a good-time rave up in praise of heavy metal music, Hagar's the best.

Attendance at the concert was a disappointing 1,892, but that didn't stop one of rock 'n' roll's great voices from exhausting himself in the name of having a good time.

Backed by a thumping four-piece band and shaking his unruly blond mane, Hagar injected every rock number with an infectious, athletic enthusiasm. At other times, he created a feeling of intimacy most rock acts are incapable of.

His introduction to "Right Now," the huge hit from his days with Van Halen, was touching. While his keyboardist played the familiar intro, Hagar recalled the song's moment of creation. He told of being alone in a recording studio late one night with Eddie Van Halen, of hearing Van Halen play those very notes, and of feeling goose bumps rise on his arms as he himself laid on some words and a melody.

When you feel the goose bumps, he said, you know you've got something good.

But Hagar relied little on old material from his long association with Van Halen. The concert began with the striking title song from his new "Marching to Mars" recording, and more "Mars" tunes were sprinkled throughout.

He played an acoustic version of "Both Sides Now," the cut currently receiving radio play. The atmospheric "Running for my Life" and dramatic "Who Has the Right," both from "Mars," were among the show's high points.

He played the signature "I Can't Drive 55," of course, but the songs on his new album hint at a level of musical and emotional maturity that leaves his former concern about the posted speed limit far behind.

The Show Me Center Director David Ross viewed the concert as a test of the current market for rock 'n' roll. The results leave rock's future at the venue in question.

Ironically, this was one of the Show Me Center's best rock shows in recent memory. Ross must be wondering where the rock fans in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois go on Wednesday nights.