Last year, he invited Metallica, Kid Rock, and 50,000 fans to help him greet the new millennium at the huge Pontiac Silverdome. The festivities will be scaled back a bit this time (the Palace holds 22,000 people), but the Nuge will undoubtedly remain larger than life.

The guitarist spent a good portion of 2000 on the road with KISS, occasionally drawing fire because of his decidedly un-PC comments about non-English speaking Mexican immigrants, and, of course, his enthusiasm for killing furry creatures.

Hagar has not been nearly as visible this year. His first tour of 2000 kicks off November 11, more than a week after the original start date. The tour – which celebrates the release of his new album and his 53rd birthday – was supposed to hit a few clubs before heading on to larger venues.

The first leg of the Red Rocker’s tour runs through December 3 and he’s expected to have more dates in the new year.