Rocker Legend Says Traffic Ticket in Albany Inspired Big Hit!

Did You Know?

A rock legend recently explained how he was inspired to write one of the biggest 80's rock songs after he was caught speeding in Upstate NY while on his way from Albany Airport to Lake Placid for a show.

Thinking that the speed limit back in the 1980s was 65 MPH, this lead-footed rocker gassed it up to 62 MPH, only to get pulled over. Here's the rest of the story:

The Lyrics

"It took me 16 hours to get to L.A.

Gonna write me up a 125
Post my face wanted dead or alive
Take my license, all that jive
I can't drive 55!"

Any Guesses?

"I Can't Drive 55" was the lead single and first track from Sammy Hagar's eighth studio album VOA in 1984, and while the video was shot in California, if it were true to form, he'd have brought the production crew to Upstate NY, because that's where he got a ticket for speeding.

And yes, Sammy Hagar claims that he was traveling through Albany when he got the speeding ticket that inspired his '80s hit "I Can't Drive 55!"

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It's worth noting that it's not just "locals" who love to complain about our traffic and roads - but legit rock stars as well.

Hagar, interviewed on "Paul Shaffer Plus One", explained the inspiration behind the song and he told the former "Late Show" bad-leader that he was in New York after being out of the country for weeks with his family.

After arriving at Albany airport, he hopped on the Northway and was heading up to Lake Placid in the middle of the night when he got caught doing 62 in a 55!

Props to Sammy Hagar, btw, for only going 3 MPH over the speed limit at 2 a.m.

Check out the video below:

The Music Video Interpretation

Click Here to Read the Full Lyrics

Ranking The Top 15 Movies Filmed in Upstate New York

Take a Look at the First NY Thruway Rest Area Completed

There has been a lot of construction being done on the New York State Thruway Rest Areas and finally, we are starting to see some of the rest stops being completed. Although the first rest area is open, this is one of the smaller versions of what the other ones will look like. The Indian Castle rest area just 90 minutes west of Albany is beautiful with a Popeye's and Starbucks inside. It boasts a Starbucks drive-thru and a convenience store featuring a variety of New York state products.

Source: Did You Know? A Speeding Ticket in Upstate NY Inspired Iconic Rock Song!