The Red Rocker was supposed to start the tour – which celebrates his 53rd birthday and the release of his new album – with some high-profile East Coast club stops. Those shows are on hold for unspecified reasons.

The outing is now set to kick off November 11 in Phoenix, Ariz., with the current itinerary running through December 3. A second leg is expected to be announced soon.

The tour features Hagar’s Waboritas band, composed of long-time members guitarist Vic Johnson, bassist Mona, keyboardist Jesse Harms and drummer David Lauser.

Hagar’s birthday is actually October 13 – hence the title of the new album: 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.