Instead of letting the years slip by without mention and spending birthdays in quiet contemplation, the Red Rocker is marking his 53rd with a new album and tour.

The Cabo Wabo Birthday Bash road trip launches October 31 in Hartford, Conn. The first leg of the tour runs through 18 cities, ending at the Warfield in San Francisco on December 3. A second leg will be announced soon.

Hagar’s birthday is actually October 13 – hence the album title: Ten 13. The record will be available in stores October 24, and is the first on his new label, Cabo Wabo Music.

He’s made it abundantly clear he isn’t ready to become the Grey Rocker just yet. “This is more of a rock album than Red Voodoo. Ten 13 has to be the hardest record I’ve made since Standing Hampton (in 1982).”

Hagar has fronted two of classic rock’s more revered outfits: Montrose and Van Halen. While his old bandmates in VH have struggled with lead singers, he isn’t sitting by the phone waiting for a call.

Ten 13 will be Hagar’s third solo album since leaving the band. He has toured steadily since his departure and spent most of 1999 on the road.