Bellybutton makes Hagar go wabo

I will break news about Sammy Hagar's weird bellybutton complex in a moment. But first, here's his unsurprising verdict on Van Halen's new songs.

"Truthfully, I think they could have done a better job," he told me this weekend. "If it was me being in the band, I'd probably have a different opinion."

The former Van Halen singer suggested it's not fun passing judgment on David Lee Roth's Van Halen. At least, Hagar's happy fans get a long-awaited new album: "God bless 'em for finally getting it done."

Hagar, who is tight with former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony, said he hears that "these guys don't talk to each other."

"They go into the studio two different times. That's why it took so long," Hagar said, adding with a laugh: "What they put up with each other is a testament to how much they hate Mike and I!"

Hagar was in Vegas for Saturday's fundraiser for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and the Muhammad Ali Foundation.

He stopped by his restaurant, Cabo Wabo Cantina, at the Miracle Mile Shops, where he introduced his new Sammy's Beach Bar Rum.

Hagar and Anthony's band, Chickenfoot -- with Joe Satriani and Red Hot Chili Peppers' Chad Smith -- tours May through June.

HAGAR DOESN'T DIG HIS NAVEL

I asked Sammy's wife, Kari, whether there's anything surprising about her husband. She said he's a great cook -- "he's like a chef!" -- and he has a navel problem.

"You can't touch his bellybutton" because it gives him "the heebie-jeebies," she said, making me laugh. "Well, you wanted to know something weird."

Hagar explains:

"I think when I was born, they waited too long to cut it off or something. You touch my bellybutton, and it goes through every part of my body.

"I can feel every inch of where it goes in my body -- every nerve. It touches every sense. It goes clear up to here, into my toes and my fingers. I don't (expletive) dig it."

EMERIL THE DRUM SCHOLAR

Over the weekend, the Hagars were scheduled to eat and drink with their friend Emeril Lagasse and his wife, who also went to the Ali-Ruvo event.

"Trying to keep up with Mr. Lagasse -- that will be a real interesting night," Kari Hagar said, smiling.

Emeril was standing right there. I told him I used to be one of his waiters when he was chef at Commander's Palace in New Orleans. He didn't remember me.

But he told me he rocks out on stage with Hagar every year for their October birthdays in Cabo San Lucas.

"I turned down a full scholarship for percussion to the New England Conservatory of Music to pay to go to cooking school," Emeril said.

"Led Zeppelin was my idol. (John) Bonham was an unbelievable drummer. I always looked up to him, the James Gang, and a lot of great drummers out there."

Emeril was slated to be at his Vegas restaurants through today, Fat Tuesday. Which reminds me: Happy Mardi Gras! Laissez les bons temps rouler.

ELTON'S RECOVERING

Elton John canceled Friday and Saturday shows because of food poisoning. He felt better Monday, Caesars Palace people said. He's back in Vegas April 13.

SIGHTINGS

UFC chief Dana White and wife took three kids to Jabbawockeez on Sunday. ... "Glee's" Chord Overstreet ate Sunday at Tao Asian Bistro with friends, then partied at club Lavo. ... At Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill late Saturday: Terrence Howard, David Copperfield, Larenz Tate and Lenny Kravitz. ... Chazz Palminteri ate Sunday at Simon at Palms Place.

Doug Elfman's column appears Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Email him at delfman@reviewjournal.com. He blogs at reviewjournal.com/elfman.