GP CLASSIC: Ronnie Montrose Interview

[@frankmiller7721]

I jumped on the MONTROSE bandwagon in 1973. His debut album is the greatest 8 song rock album ever.

[@joeyhumphrey4536]

Totally agree. To me it is one of the best recording for a Rock N Roll album ever!

[@MrMeadfoot]

Without a friggin doubt !

[@todmarks175]

Whenever I hear people talking about great albums, I'm always dumbfounded that the first Montrose is never mentioned. Top to bottom one of the best of all time.

[@barrylafratta5720]

Great Album

[@jawbone60]

Great album. Blew me away as a teenager. Ronnie was a brilliant guitarist and the vocals by Sammy were great.

[@James-wf9zo]

I think the guitar player was the eader whenter was the guy from yes

[@todmarks175]

@@James-wf9zo Steve Howe was the guitar player from Yes. And then Trevor Rabin. I think the keyboard player was Whetton.

[@progger53]

I was a dj at Iowa city u of Iowa radio station and we got both demo lps while I was working. They called it "Crotch Rock " and they wwee great. The next lp had some great stuff also. Like "whaler".

[@arthurmurfitt7698]

I come back to this interview regularly...

[@leo42062]

the world got a little darker when we lost ronnie without him the 80"s would have sucked ty ronnie for holding the torch so high so we could see the path hail to the band montrose no drop tuning no tattoos no computers just raw azz rock and roll

[@ChicagoBeaver]

Rest in Peace Mr. Montrose. Ronnie's music influenced me as a young guitar player with all his timeless classic songs and albums.

[@marionherrera8075]

ONE OF THE ORIGINAL GUITAR GODS...RIP RONNIE..YOU ARE TRULY MISSED.....

[@MrRlwiley]

So Cool glad i stumbled on this. RIP Ronnie You were important.

[@larryj7445]

What a great guitar player. RIP

[@leveractiongypsy1848]

The Van Morrison studio guitar work Ronnie did is absolutely legendary. Its a shame more people dont know he was the guitarist who laid it down to tape, as I only found out this year and I've been playing professionally now for over 40 yrs....I've played for years now doing all of his parts of Wild Nights' always wondering, "who is the guitar player on this recording?" RIP brother Ronnie...We love you for your contributions to creating great music:)

[@leo42062]

the vocal wild nights are calling as ronnie played priceless ronnie was so underrated

[@karenenglish5454]

My first concert - Rush, Montrose, Robin Trower. AMAZING!!

[@jefferykubitz4510]

Mine was Montrose, Foghat and Black Oak Arkansas.

[@Chris-zw9ur]

That had to be a great concert, Montrose, Trower, 2 of my very fav’s. Oh yeah, Rush also.

[@Brainiac22]

Wow, that must’ve been a humdinger of a concert! I saw him with Rush once as well, but not Trower

[@BryanEddy09]

What a cool down to earth great player he was. Ugggh I have the habit of getting to know great guys after they've gone on . We adored these guys from a quarter mile away as kids. The Montrose album is easily in my top ten Best Rock albums of all times.

[@treffbennett6534]

top ten hard rock album that I have to force myself not to play on a loop-the riffs, tones, insane energy and Sammy's killer voice......IT'S NEARLY 50 FREAKIN' YRS. OLD AND STILL BURNS DOWN EVERYTHING IN IT'S PATH! Not a thief-but I'd steal it if I had to. Ronnie lives on, I can hear SPACE STATION #5 pop into my dome about 10 times a week. Cheers, brother!

[@blakesuggs8380]

Amen Brother !

[@dalelangley5251]

​@@treffbennett6534I also really dug Ronnie's Stuff with Gamma, if you're not familiar with it, you might want to give it a listen brother ; peace ! 👍

[@sduke39]

Ronnie Montrose influenced so many guitarists!

[@Ash-cy7yw]

Hight School 1978, a warm California summer night, my freshly washed, waxed and tuned pumped mustang cruising the main drag, and Rock Candy jamming out of the JBL's over the drone of the headers. There was nothing quite like that feeling.

[@kevinmontgomery1383]

Nor, will there ever be.

[@tylurmackinnon6217]

Sounds lame. You were listening to bad music and had bad taste my dog

[@unclexeres]

Up and down the west coast, muscle cars, glass packs, krager rims and Montrose blasting from the 8-Track.

[@idratherbefishing7753]

@@tylurmackinnon6217 says the person with a subwoofer that only knows rap music

[@funningames2243]

@@tylurmackinnon6217 Tylur must mean twat waffle in some stupid fuking language. Don't you have some Bieber to listen too somewhere?

[@pierre5227]

Ladies and gents let us not forget how amazing the GAMMA records where. Those were monster albums that were wall to wall great songs. No B sides, just great songwriting

[@Waynemann1]

Because of Davey

[@Brainiac22]

Agree 100%…. saw them on the gamma two tour and still one of my favorite concerts of all time… Live version of razor king was just insanely good🤯🎸👍🏻

[@skeenautube]

Incredible guitar player! Just incredible!

[@sezwhom]

A lot of times, Ronnie was not comfortable doing interviews but he is here. Very candid. Excellent.

[@kevinklepp5894]

Ronnie a rock legend with that iconic sound he set the bar high with the way he played and so many other rock and roll groups behind him that tried tried to copie you sure set the the industry on fire you are sure missed

[@UberKrispy]

He keeps saying "The riffs just came out"....because he was just a helluva gifted artist.

[@ralphcrisp2896]

Gifted people have it hard in life. He says several times, "I was just screwing around." People like him are born to wander, or if you will, to "just screw around." Inspiration happens when it happens. Musical composers sleep with a notepad on their night table. Think about how difficult that makes it to "fit in" with the crowd.

[@Sirskibumsalot]

So glad I got to see Ronnie Montrose a couple times back in the 70s , have all his albums .... I would paddle out with his music playing in my head and surf for hours .....He is a bad ass !!

[@silkandsteelduogcs8572]

So so devastated when Ronnie took his life! He was my rock and roll inspiration! All the Montrose and Gamma recordings have influenced my R&R playing to this day and I’ve been actively playing for 51 years. He will always be alive in my playing style. I hope you have found peace.

[@rudymikula7129]

What a great interview. Ronnie is a great player who is also humble human being.

[@donnyrankin7256]

I was so blessed to see Ronnie with Montrose at the Santa Monica Civic WAY back. Probably their first outing. RIP Ronnie.

[@jaymzgaetz2006]

Ronnie was kind enough to donate one of his guitars to the musicians emergency medical association (M.E.M.A.). A non profit established here in Eugene oregon that provides emergency assistance to local musicians that do so much for local charities. When musicians loose their ability to perform they instantly loose their income. The guitar was auctioned off and the money was a nice contribution to a very worthy cause. Ronnie montrose was not just an awesome rock star...he was genuinely an awesome dude. Thanks for everything Ronnie. In so many ways you made the world a better place while you were in it.

[@rcjr.7725]

I saw a Ronnie Montrose one time at a small club in Detroit in the late 80s I'm glad I got to see him one time who is definitely an and influence on my guitar playing before I picked up guitar along with Jimi Hendrix and Frank Marino thank you Ronnie restinpeace

[@psychlos21]

Was always a fan of Ronnie Montrose. When I was a young kid guitar player back in 1975, my cousin turned me on to the music of Montrose. So happy I learned those riffs.

[@sciencemansandera]

I probably patterned.a lot of my playing after Ronnie he was awesome and such a great loss for us all. Believe it or not I had his music on 8 tracks thanks for this awesome interview

[@mhleadpastorscnc10]

Ronnie Montrose was absolutely the guitarist that inspired me to learn to play the electric guitar. Tremendous talent and seemed to be a great all around person too. Awesome interview too. Gone too soon. RIP Ronnie.

[@roadmaster1ful]

What a genius! We lost a great one when he passed

[@jamestcallahanphotographer]

The first Montrose album is to Hard Rock what the shower scene in Hitchcock’s “Psycho” is to the horror film genre. It changed everything. It took all the Who/Zeppelin heavy Blues guitar riffs, Bonham-inspired drumming and Roger Daltrey/Robert Plant style vocals that had been done up to that point and streamlined and synthesized them into a modern American Hard Rock music style. Fuck, it’s THE seminal Hard Rock album for EVERYTHING that came after.

[@loilt5091]

No disrespect to Ronnie…I was already a fan via the Edgar Winter Group & caught his band once, about 30 years ago, recalling his female drummer. Speaking of drummers, there’s a connection with Ronnie & Chuck Ruff, tying to Edgar Winter, from what I recall? BÖC were already putting their unique stamp on 🇺🇸 hard rock, with their ‘72, self-titled debut. Especially the initial Black & White period, trinity…nothing like it. 🇨🇦

[@kickinvideo333]

Ronnie, what a true artist he was. I can't say how yuuuge that first album was to me. For the longest time, as I moved among other musicians that kept getting younger & younger down the years, whenever we'd talk about the most badass bands & albums over the years, I would bring up "Montrose". They'd go, "Who?", and I'd say, "Y'know, Sammy Hagar's first band. They had no clue and I'd whip out the record or tape and blow their socks off. That's how that LP is, pure atomic dynamite!

[@markalan2752]

respect to Ronnie.....the man was the real deal.....never knew about the 'Wild Night' riff.....amazing song and riff, not to mention Edgar Winter, Montrose stuff. RIP Ronnie.

[@lambogirl235]

It’s true! I knew him personally because I was his goddaughter

[@idratherbefishing7753]

Yes he was with Edgar Winter group before forming his own band montrose which Sammy the slammer claimed he started but Ronnie brought in hagar.

[@Dave-rk2nl]

i love this guy...i was listening to Gama at 12 years old 1978

[@jamesdewer]

The big sound, well said. Ronnie the Bay Area's own.

[@tombennettband1485]

one of a kind guitar player. Seems like such a nice dude. RIP ronnie!

[@vivianapaquette5856]

Ronnie Montrose clearly ranks with some of the best!! Make it last has always been my favorite!!!

[@hobbes4583]

Just listened to his solo on "ordinary people" from van's philosopher stone album. Truly masterful.

[@autocrow]

Nice interview. The interviewer did a great job of getting Ronnie to open up. it was a comfortable interview. Ronnie was an inspiration to many with his rocking style and classic riffs! RIP Ronnie Montrose.

[@mrlems1]

Gamma 1 was my favorite album, RIP Ronnie,

[@scopasbrune1009]

still in my top 10 greatest albums of all time - never tire of it

[@timinla64]

1sr Montrose..simply one of the best pure rock albums ever!. First heard it in ‘78 when I was 14. Still spin it even now..

[@franksnyder1357]

Edgar Winter and Ronnie Montrose. What a show. I love the human race.

[@BUNKERJR53]

One of the greatest guitar players to walk the planet. Saw Montrose live in '74. I was b!own away!!!!!!!!!

[@Ppuffdiddleydangdoof]

Great interview and how cool to see Ronnie up close like that! The first record changed my life. One of the all time great guitarists, RIP.

[@treffbennett6534]

If you don't own MONTROSE debut album, your music collection has A GIANT HOLE IN IT!

[@thedoobiesistersandsackbla5718]

word

[@jamesdewer]

Not a single throw-away song. Cover to cover.

[@treffbennett6534]

@@thedoobiesistersandsackbla5718 Doobies! you're one WORD response is all that's needed when it comes to America's answer to Led Zeppelin-Montrose debut burns hotter than the sun.....and the burrito I killed earlier today! peace.

[@ensinitas]

yup

[@ensinitas]

@@treffbennett6534 that burrito is called ComeBacker. just as good tomorrow...

[@mitchgawlik1175]

I'm still nuts for Rock Candy and Bad Motor Scooter. Ronnie and Sammy had it goin' on.

[@sciencemansandera]

I did a lot of partying at my cabin I'd be playing that Montrose album on 8-track on a date with a woman I love his story about the speaker's being rebuilt. Man that is pure iconic stuff. Hendricks I guess had a lot of the same kind of things where he actually tried out the same Wawa pedal to get one that HE thought sounded the best. The 60s and early 70s were some of the greatest pioneers of rock and roll on the Earth I still listen to all that music today. And many of the young women rockers now are bringing us back and bringing back classic rock more gargantuan than ever I think it's totally awesome

[@robertjohnson3855]

It took me most of my life to realize that MANY of the greatest songs have truly been the simplest songs to play. We all feel like we have to create the most complicated riffs to get respect but most of my favorites as I look back have truly been the simplest, but you gotta have great tone and catchy riffs, seriously.

[@loilt5091]

Ask Keef…

[@andysanchez9108]

Ronnie....RIP.....you were incredible.

[@williamrodrigues1963]

I was working for the Post Office in Walnut creek, at the time I guess he had a house in Lafayette Ca, but I was at a small station which he had a PO Box there and would come in time to time, and mail stuff he was a very cool dude. I think he did some music for a video game company when he was laying low after montrose and gamma

[@barrylafratta5720]

seemed like a chill cool dude R.I.P. He is in Space Station # 5

[@ericwoodspring]

I think those double stop -- interval riffs sound cool. What a great guitarist and a huge influence for many players. Another cool double stop riff is "Smoke on the Water".

[@gleneckert1]

Thank you Ronnie🤘🤘🤘 found that cassette sitting on a curb one morning. Couldn’t get enough of it

[@kevinmontgomery1383]

She taught him a lesson. Screw around on me. There goes your most prized tape, out the window. LOl

[@smoluk1]

The man is like a Conduit of magic.

[@ericwhitehead6451]

Truly one of the best.

[@guyquinton2413]

Ronnie used to rehearse at Silver shadow studios In concord ca where I rehearsed... great human

[@klausswartz3369]

I saw Montrose, Aerosmith, & Black Oak Ark. at Cobo in Detroit, 1975. Awesome talent, but RM had this chromed guitar that was like a friggin landing light in your face as he played. I’ll never forget it. RIP, Ronnie😔

[@jfrockon]

Cool interview and insight. RIP Ronnie

[@theStraightjackets2]

Thanks for posting this! Too cool. Seen him live. He brought some magic out of the guitar that can't be denied.

[@mikeball188]

Love Montrose!!!!!!. Opened the door for so many.

[@Luciddreamer007]

Ronnie’s Riffs reverberate ….. forever

[@kerbygator]

Montrose/ Montrose is one of the best albums one could buy. Every song on it rocks. I wore out several of them.

[@TruthSpin7]

RM and SH; 2 of the coolest and most talented rockers Ever. How special was that, to have em both on that Montrose debut Record. Innovative Guitar with those pipes, just blew me away from that very first listen way back in mid 70's. I can tell ya exactly where i was too; driving to girlfriends house in my parents '76 gold dodge colt with black vinyl roof, hands pounding on steering wheel and dash. Best of Times!

[@DavidJones-oq3xu]

Sammy looks so young in 73 weird he influenced Edd so much and the Sammy went on to sing in VH

[@fivelblunker]

"If you can't remember the song the next day, it's not a song anymore." Can you imagine how many forgotten songs there are?

[@Winterfell1066]

Love me some Montrose. Ronnie is missed.

[@Pineemonkeys2ndchannel]

Was a legendary guitarist to me from age 12 with Edgar winter group

[@UFOROX]

Love Ronnie. Watched Gamma do a sound check at the Stanley Theater in Pitt. I was just an usher . Ronnie looks to me and asked how does it sound? I gave the thumbs up. Great guy even back than. They opened for Rainbow.

[@cliffordamey4822]

That’s a great interview he seems very happy and enjoying the interview

[@ranlitt3201]

He's right, they were simple riffs. I first learned guitar with his album. First album I ever heard. Montrose. Great stuff.

[@Diggerdog2nd]

Wow after knowing about Frankenstein since the 70's I always thought that was Rick Derringer on it, Ya learn something new everyday.

[@paulgee9768]

His own sound. So good.

[@alexc2680]

One of the Greats !! 😎🙏🏻🎸

[@grimdrum2396]

He was a master of his craft!!!!

[@lovethesmellofracefuelinth7374]

Wow who would have thought that 1 year later he'd be dead, that's really sad and very tragic 😪. I remember the first time I heard the 1st Montrose LP was in 75 when I was a teenager and a friend turned it on to me. It was awesome and heavy just like I like it considering my favorite band was and still is Black Sabbath, it definitely had the right sound for me. I liked the red rockers voice in it and had the perfect tone for the music. Sammy is no slouch with the axe either and have seen him live

[@GRILLBUOY101]

Great I first was played this in bout 88. Loved it

[@kilbridemeredith8742]

I was close with ya, '74 or '75, 15 playing a Stratocaster into Ampeg in "band" with CHS friends- this album along with UFO, Alex Harvey, Bad Company etcetera.

[@DoubleRR44]

What a absolute legend

[@williamsimmons4873]

A great little club in San Diego next to Miramar NAS called the rockin bachanal . I saw Ronnie shred the whole speed of sound album with 2 other young guitarists . They both kept pushing him and he put on an amazing live show that night !! He had hit songs with Van Morrison , Edgar Winter , Gary Wright , and killer solo work with Sammy 👍 . Truly a blessed guitarist for sure . I also saw Alvin Lee and Ten years after , and Krokus there also . 1980s had talent and tasty music from so many bands ☀️

[@ziskokid1]

First album I ever bought edgar winter group they only come out at night 1972 still got it

[@christophermartin6440]

I’m 48 years old and was introduced to Montrose by my dad when I was younger. Of course the first song was Rock Candy. I was instantly hooked. I have been playing guitar off and on for years now. My wife got me a multiple effects pedal last year for Christmas since I have been wanting to play rock. The first cd I put in was the Montrose debut cd. R.I.P. Ronnie!!

[@thefilthygringo9228]

What a fucking legend. He was such a rift master better than anyone.

[@kurtbanff9724]

What a great player a fan since the 70,s

[@TheKoufax6532]

That was the sound track of my youth. Big loss for all of music.

[@RonNorman-qu4qz]

Just wanted to say God bless you Ronnie Montrose for all that you gave us in your short time we miss the hell out of you Ronnie wish you could have stuck around but life is tough and I understand

[@shawnmurphy9667]

That was awesome demonstrations there is no music like this anymore

[@friotaiocht101]

Ronnie Montrose... man he was a guitar playing fool.... kick ass guitarist for sure... he is sadly missed....

[@mattbowyer5]

Just pulled the 1st Montrose album out and put it on. Still sounds incredible. When I heard Van Halen's first album decades ago I said "sounds like Ted Templeton produced it." Swish!

[@mattsabath]

The tone. OMG. R.I.P.

[@garymagnarini6503]

Ronnie was the BEST guitarist to me !

[@billreinhardt3684]

My first music i ever listened to was MONTROSE!!!!

[@jonsanders1296]

Loved that Montrose record saw him live in St. Louis a couple times playing that red guitar.

[@jamesvoos2432]

So Sad to see Ronnie gone.

[@pennsyltuckyden9823]

You never really know when someone is battling depression, RIP Ronnie.

[@kriskeeney1314]

one of the top 10 hard rock albums of all time

[@Bendini20_gaming]

I knew that Rock candy drum intro sounded like When the Levee Breaks! The first time i heard it, i immediately rewinded it.

[@crieff1sand2s56]

LEGEND.....✌

[@Nitestalker65]

What a great guy!!RIP!!!

[@dannyvalentine468]

Going through Ronnie's discography really show how much of a great player he was. From the ambience of the Space Station #5 intro to Simple but pummeling riff of Bad Motor Scooter then back to his simple but effectice Koto playing on Pentagon (From his solo gem of a record "Territory". His playing had a beautiful variety too it which makes me appreciate his genius much more

[@kendavies9766]

hung in the studio in seattle years ago.

[@sammyvh11]

I got a job at 14 and all the dudes I worked with where local musicians in Baltimore. I hear this guitarist playing with a awesome singer and said who the hell is that? It was Montrose and I became an instant fan. They never got much FM play in backwards Baltimore of the 70s. RIP Ronnie

[@jonnyballgame6751]

The first album they did was a masterpiece. I think we covered like 5 songs from it. Montrose is the shit!!!!

[@Arturo-sm1tb]

What a gigantic loss. A great rock innovator.

[@BCTGuitarPlayer]

Here we see a relaxed, down to earth Montrose; a completely different countenance and demeanor than years earlier. I have to wonder what caused the positive transformation. Seems like he found peace within himself, after all.