Sammy Hagar on Ronnie Montrose, "He didn't want to share the spotlight" Denny Carmassi, Bill Church

A full in bloom News Brief
-Description:
In a recent interview with Lipps Service, Sammy Hagar offered some great insight into the band Montrose, Ronnie Montrose, Denny Carmassi, and Bill Church.
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Sammy Hagar Talks Montrose and More - Link to Full Interview:
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Intro & Outro by FOOL OF FATE
#SammyHagar #VanHalen #Montrose #RonnieMontrose #EdgarWinter #VanMorrison

[@MRLEGOMASTER2009]

I met him back in the 80's at a show in Dallas. I talked with him after the show and told him I grew up listening to his music and learned many of his songs. He gave me the song song sheet taped to the stage signed it and apologized for not having anything else to give me. That's a rock hero.

[@jamesprice6381]

Did u see him at a small bar Dwntown Dalls 86/87? I was at that one! 10 ft from him! Was stationed at Grand Prairie Naval Air station.. Heard it on the Rock Radio station, n barely made it there on time, NO iphone NO GPS< cant even remember how i got there!

[@mikeladley5149]

Loved Ronnie throughout his studio and live music. I was deeply saddened by his passing. He was one of the greats! RIP Brother. 👍💖

[@rodsmolter5046]

IMO that first Montrose album was the best thing Sammy ever did.

[@bradleykitzman6908]

Chicken Foot Rocks!

[@highwaymaintainer]

I agree, his early solo career was ridiculous but it morphed into songs like “I can’t drive 55” and I don’t even like that but it sold. The Montrose beginning was his best stuff and he should thank the Lord he went onto bigger things with such lame songs

[@tomitstube]

one of the all time great albums in rock. loved sammy's solo career before van halen, especially the early stuff, not real polished but had this raw energy that was appealing, similar to ufo if that makes sense, but once he hit his stride with the mega hits i kind of lost interest, and didn't care for the van halen stuff. but loved sammy's early stuff.

[@hinjurock70]

Definitely.

[@bassrob88]

Until it wasn’t....

[@jondalrymple5405]

Ronnie Montrose Will Always Be A Legend, I can’t Imagine The 70’s Without Him, He Suffered Depression All His Life Thats Why He Had Insecurities, It’s An ILLness That Altered His Way Of Thinking, To Understand Ronnie Is To Know What Depression Is, Ronnie Will Be Forever Loved & Forever Missed

[@HeRacesTheSun]

Also, being insecure can cause depression.

[@chrisfleischman3371]

Yeah, insecurity and depression tend to go together. I think it is often engendered by a breakdown in the ability to trust. Perhaps Mr. Monroe’s was not properly socialized as usually is the case at about age three. Good point you made.

[@chestrockwell6833]

Of course sammy would pay the guys well and take care of them...he is known for that....if he considers you a friend then you have nothing to worry about

[@leonarddeberry7104]

Like several commenters I was 16 when I heard the 1st Montrose album. An older neighbor called me over and he had a jamming stereo system in the basement. One of the rare editions that I have on cassette, vinyl and CD. Still rockin' it at 67.

[@superjtrdr]

Depression is probably the most misunderstood illness. A happy-go-lucky guy like Sammy would never get what Ronnie was going through

[@BillRobertsonEM1CCUSNR]

Agreed.

[@Jaggedknife11]

Absolutely.

[@E.L.RipleyAtNostromo]

Truth; give him props for trying to shake him out of it though.

[@atlasgunther8947]

caused by archonic daemons

[@ArtWade]

Agreed and quite possibly some social anxiety and maybe he was an introvert. I have depression and anxiety and am an introvert, but I'm also the guy who makes everyone laugh and do a lot of public speaking without any problems. I just get into my element and go with it, but once the "party's over", I fight my demons.

[@donaldking8288]

One of the best bands ever and Bill church is one of the best bass guys ever , such class and style !!

[@tonydeaton2890]

The first Montrose album was a game changer. A land mark for me as a guitar player and a major influence in the direction I took in music. I've turned young musicians, today, on to it and it leaves them slack-jawed the same way it did me. Those kind of records don't come along very often. The first Van Halen record affected me the same way.

[@lockandloadlikehell]

I knew this guy who was slack-jawed He was the local yokel

[@ronnieverhagi5607]

pure junk

[@kerbygator]

That has to be one of the top 20 greatest albums of all time, in my opinion. Just mine. Every song on it rocks.

[@reddogdixon]

First Montrose album blew me away and still does every time I hear it. What a fantastic album !!

[@tides234]

I saw them live in 1973 they blew my mind I was so happy that they were from America, because at the time it was all about British Rock, Ronnie and Sammi show them how it is done

[@pdunc1976]

RIP ronnie and thanks to all of you for some kick ass music!

[@bencurti7693]

I was 16 when that 1st album came out...started playing in a band about 4 months later in early '74. I remember bringing that LP to a rehearsal, and everyone was just blown away by it! We ended up playing Rock the Nation and Rock Candy. Also saw them with Humble Pie in Detroit, Dec. 1974. One of the best concerts I've ever been to. RIP Ronnie, I know you had your issues, but thanks for your contributions, you won't be forgotten.

[@E.L.RipleyAtNostromo]

I was 17 when it came out and envy you that concert brother! That had to have been awesome. Good for you. 👍

[@bencurti7693]

@david natzel It was, David! Nothing flashy or fancy about H. Pie...just good old fashioned, knock em out rock n blues....Stevie Marriot was just awesome....Montrose of course, just sledgehammered the crowd...oh, and it was $6.50 a tix...still have the stub!

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

If I had to leave planet earth and I could only take one album with me it would be the first Montrose album. For me, at the tender age of 15, it seemed to give me a template for life, everything I needed to know seemed to be within this album. Over the years whenever I have needed a lift I have played this album

[@tomacquistapace233]

See you on Space Station #5 !! "Montrose" is on the short list of my list of desert island albums too

[@arcadiaflorada]

I concur. In my top 10 all time

[@BillRobertsonEM1CCUSNR]

It’s funny that all these musicians acknowledge Ronnie’s guitar playing skills yet there was no acknowledgment by the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, or even from the public, as if that first album was never made. It was the first successful hard rock album done by an American band ever as everyone else doing hard rock was from Britain at the time. As great as LZ was, I’d rather have that Montrose album in my playlist anyday.

[@E.L.RipleyAtNostromo]

Totally agree! I have it on vinyl, tape, and CD. I was 17 when it came out. I swear I can even tell you when I heard the first song from it; I was driving south on 101 in Sonoma County at midnight after getting off work on a Sunday night and "Rock the Nation" came on the radio, and I was blown away. Bought the album at Warehouse Records the next day and played it non-stop. "Rock Candy" was the reason I bought a decent stereo shortly afterwards.

[@atlasgunther8947]

sabotage would be my one album

[@g_man2177]

That shed some light on Montrose that I never knew before. Just sad.

[@artguti1551]

I first heard this album in about 78 or 79. A friend of mine was learing to play Rock the Nation. I thought it was a cool album, but I was alread listening to UFO and the early Scorpions and trying to learn their stuff...(Great music in the 70's!!!)

[@strivingx67]

I don't have much to say here other than, Ronnie was the man. That solo he did on the song "Voyager" with Gamma is one of the best solos ever recorded. JMO. Nothing bad to say about Sammy. He has a great voice. Kudos on a great clip bro. (Going to listen to Voyager right now!)

[@jackpeters9349]

Why should I add acommen?

[@HarleyThrottleJuice]

That solo is haunting man, haunting!

[@Axe_Slinger]

Wish I Was .... GREATEST Ronnie Montrose song of all of them.... Speed of Sound was a STUNNING instrumental album!

[@dougrmoe]

The Gamma 1 record IMO is one of the best rock records out

[@bobthebear1246]

OMFG, I heard that song on "Metal Shop" all the way back in 1988, and I loved it. That was actually him singing on it? Now I need to check it out again. I haven't heard that song in over 30 years.

[@alvanwalls8371]

The first Montrose album is the Best thing Ronnie or Sammy ever did or done.It hasl never be topped .The Sound track of 74,75 ..SF Bay Area High School .Chevy Camero , Mustangs.Challegers 8 track GibsonLes Paul guitars playing thru Marshall amps...What happened to Music.

[@Ronjon69]

Montrose with Sammy as the best. He had great songs

[@justmusic8166]

Saw Montrose back then ,very good.

[@sezwhom]

I got to know Ronnie and he was always cool to me.

[@MrMrh1958]

A true classic rock album!

[@cribrebo7375]

50 years later and the first Montrose album it's just as enjoyable today as it was back then. Every one of my friends had a copy of the first Montrose album. "Rock Candy" was the national anthem in my neighborhood...

[@docfaceful]

About 1982 my guitar player knew Ronnie montrose well,so in san francisco when we were rehearsing in the next room to montrose room,my guitar player took us all in and introduced us to Ronnie montrose who was by himself in the room that night.nice guy for doing that.we didn't play with him,just chit chat introduction talk,but very nice

[@GhostRanger5060]

Sammy Hagar is one of Rock's good guys. I never was much of a Hagar fan. I preferred the original Van Halen and thought his solo stuff cheesy. But nonetheless, from everything I have heard, he is one of Rock and Roll's genuine good guys. A guy who treated his success like a gift from God and who was all about reconciling with his former bandmates who were mostly ego-maniacs and jerks. Hagar hasn't aged badly -- in fact, he looks 20 years younger than his age -- and is more positive than ever from what I have heard. That's what happens when you let stuff go and remain thankful. Gratitude is a gift. Sadly, Ronnie Montrose never did find peace at the end of the road. The Road to Rock and Roll success is littered with tragedies and casualties. #blessings

[@tomjones2348]

I had the same perspective for many years. Just could not listen to VH with a different singer. My wife had a "Best of Van Halen cd that included both singers..so I got exposed to it over a long period of time. Finally I came to realize that Sammy did his very best, and there are a few tunes that he sings that I actually like very much....like Humans Being.

[@juve3690]

If you get a chance, read Sammy's book. He actually regrets writing it now cuz he brought out a lot of dirt regarding the VH brothers, but it gives you a look at his early life too. His mom basically raising them alone, hiding from an abusive husband in an orange orchard, well, I don't want to wreck it for you. A LOT of people slam Sammy. I love that Montrose album. It is on one of my rock walls in the man cave. That says a lot IMO. I still prefer DLR Van Halen albums, but I saw VH in Syracuse for the 0U812 tour, and he was great. Saw VH with DLR in Atlanta on their last tour, and DLR was by far the weak link of that show. We still had a great time, but Eddie and Wolfie's vocals were much better than DLR.

[@sunjester8254]

Hagar bad mouths everyone. How is that a nice guy?

[@daviderickson8699]

@@sunjester8254 He just has no filter - he "good mouths" a whole lot of people as well and shares the spotlight freely with other artists. He pays musicians well just to be ready when he is and he keeps no money from his own shows. He donates his own cut to local charities, usually food banks and children's hospitals. His business ventures have paid off so well he can be very generous with his wealth, and he is. He's never torched Michael Anthony, Wolfgang Van Halen, and as far as I know has only had one relationship in his solo band, the Wabos, Chickenfoot and the Circle go bad (Jesse Harms), but you never hear either of them talk about it or each other poorly. So yes he airs out some things publicly but he's just one of those guys who answers every question without a filter as to what's going to get him in trouble later. Just look at the number of huge names who go on his show or stage - I think that speaks for itself.

[@jmm1817]

@sun jester he only bad-mouths people that deserve it. So, in essence, he's speaking truth

[@Johnnyhumbkr]

RIP Ronnie! That “Speed of Sound” album is one of my favorites! It’s an instrumental album that totally rocks!

[@ricksmith7881]

Yes it is

[@AntGut69]

Best played late at night while doing ~120mph across the desert (e.g., from El Centro to Tucson).

[@termsofusepolice]

I really appreciate hearing what a great guy Sammy is in every Sammy interview. A lot of guys will leave it to others to talk about how great they are. But Sammy cuts out the middle man.

[@rocknroll6396]

Sooooo true. He really pats himself on the back alot 🤣

[@DBMorris]

Yeah he always has to mention how his other band members were a mess... and how together he is...

[@travisbruce1775]

🤣😂 EXACTLY! What a great guy. . .

[@careful__Icarus]

He had an extra hand implanted so he could pat himself and still play guitar

[@JKillackey62183]

Also if you notice in all of Sammy's interviews, recollections and even his autobiography...nothing's ever his fault. Dude's got a case of Paul Stanley syndrome 🤣😆😄😂

[@bradleykitzman6908]

And of course that debut "ALBUM" of Montrose, not only every song is outstanding, it set the trend for other debut albums from bands on the west coast. Like Van Halen's and Guns and Roses first . All three debut albums from start to finish are true staples in any rockers catalogue

[@bradleykitzman6908]

Oh Ya, the newest members from the west coast to have a number one debut ALBUM, and it kicks ass start to finish with no record label! "DIRTY HONEY"

[@jim2lane]

I had never realized what a lengthy pedigree Denny Carmassi had as drummer until I listened to this interview. I had seen Montrose clips many times, and seen Heart's videos during the 80's, but never realized it was the same drummer in both places. I took a look at his article on wikipedia and then realized he's played with basically everyone over the years

[@daviderickson8699]

He's one of those guys like Kenny Aaronhoff (sp?) or Waddy Watchel. Look through your album credits and it's amazing the number of times some of those names show up. I think I've stumbled on to seeing Kenny A like 3 times in concert just because he's either part of or filling in for whatever band.

[@OeditpusRex]

Other than Ian Paice, who combined hard rock with jazz, Denny Carmassi is the best power drummer I've ever heard.

[@alanjamesh.zamorano1677]

So sad to hear about Ronnie's troubled life. I just got into Montrose very recently.

[@strivingx67]

Check out Gamma 2. Esp Voyager. You will love the solo!

[@gringo3002]

Reportedly, Sammy Hagar and Denny Carmassi were in another band together before Montrose.

[@alanjamesh.zamorano1677]

@@strivingx67 That's my favourite. Davey Pattison could sing his heart out. And that solo rips big time.

[@trowerz]

@@alanjamesh.zamorano1677 LOVE GAMMA and Davey! The fist time I saw Trower I couldn’t believe it when Davey came out😳🤘

[@eric_in_florida]

Unfortunately some of the best musicians turn out to be not the best or most stable persons. It's part of what makes them tick I guess.

[@frankmiller7721]

The MONTROSE debut album is the greatest .

[@SLAYERSWINE1]

Ronnie Montrose was an amazing guitarist. Never mentioned much when talking about great guitarists, where he definitely belongs in the conversation. Saw him on first Gamma tour as well as with a G3 type tour with Robin Trower & Allan Holdsworth

[@OeditpusRex]

He's the greatest I've ever heard or ever hope to, and not just because he could burn. The man could play anything with strings and some without. He had an antenna-type theremin attached to a guitar; it made the eerie sound on the intro and outro of "Space Station No. 5," as well as a lot of live stuff. What he heard in his mind and somehow managed to make into incredible, almost unique music, is evident on his solo and Gamma albums, as well as a handful of Montrose studio tracks.

[@GTX1123]

It's all so shocking. I heard the first Montrose album in 74 at the age of 12. In our minds back then, that album was so good it had to have been top 10 in sales. There were a lot of muscle cars then and it was quite common to hear "rock the nation" or "bad motor scooter" blaring from their 8 track with the whine of RPM's and the screech of smoking tires. To hear that album sold poorly is really surprising. And who knew Ronnie had life long, deep psychological issues? So sad

[@kevinsago1886]

It's places like K-SHE 95 in St, Louis that gave Montrose a chance. Sammy loves to come and play here. It's one of his favorite places to play. The reason for that is either solo or with Montrose or VH he sold out every show here.

[@charlesprice7608]

St. Louis had a great rock scene in the 70’s and 80’s KSHE was a whole new kind of radio station. I still hear Sammy on KSHE some Sunday evenings. The Checkerdome and Keil auditorium, not to mention all the smaller venues.

[@GTX1123]

@@charlesprice7608 The first time I heard Montrose was on WGTB in the Washington DC area in 1974. This was a station on the Campus of Georgetown University that had a powerful FM signal. EVERY night from about 5pm to 5am they played deep cuts and entire album sides of hard rock and prog rock w NO COMMERCIALS. This is where I got my music education into Rock and Prog Rock.

[@kevinsago1886]

@@GTX1123, In 1967 when K-SHE went on air they were known as the album station. 2 commercials an hour just to flip the albums. They had a little shack of a building on Watson road.

[@GTX1123]

@@kevinsago1886 One of my cousins was born and raised in Alton IL. Him and his mom moved here to the DC area when he was around 9 or 10 but he went back there a lot to see his Dad. I still remember this KSHE bumper sticker he had of a pig with shaded goggles on LOL. Radio stations with a "K" were strange to us because radio stations here all begin with a "W".

[@rogerw3818]

Given what we know about the music industry, Ronnie's distrust was completely justified.

[@cunttrollfreak6022]

Maybe Sammy Hager is saying that Ronnie didn't want to share the spotlight would just that 1st album because after that it was completely different I think. I guess that's why Sammy sold out to the media as aka the "Red Rocker" and ended up with all the popularity and Ronnie never really did, at least not as much as Sammy.

[@hardluck8732]

@@cunttrollfreak6022 I don't really get how Sammy Hagar becoming the red rocker was a sell out move.

[@cunttrollfreak6022]

@@hardluck8732 Maybe that's because your taste in music is not the same taste as mine in the sense that Sammy Hagar's music is a lot more media driven, like for example the "Standing Hampton" album which produce several radio hits and has a more simplistic mainstream feel to it as opposed to Ronnie Montrose history of progressive rock the (mostly in the 70's) including the "Open Fire" album with Edgar Winter which to me is a phenomenal progressive rock album and it's not mainstream at all because it is very complex music.unlike anything Sammy has ever done. Although RM did make a few albums in the 80's and 90's that to me were more mainstream but to experimentally extreme.

[@hardluck8732]

@@cunttrollfreak6022 I'm tempted to just reply "Ok Hipster", but you still didn't answer my question. How did Sammy wearing red, and becoming the red rocker selling out? Was it common for rock guys to pick a color back in the day. I never heard of the blue rocker, or the yellow rocker. The red rocker was a thing he did to distinguish himself from other rock guys at the time. Hell I remember reading somewhere that his manager was telling him to cut the red shit out at the time. It's not the most out there look or title, but in an era where literally every rocker/metal guy wears all black, doing something as simple as wearing red would separate you from the other bands these days.

[@mikekorn6968]

Last saw Ronnie at the Novato art/whine/music festival circa 2010. He and the band were on a small 2 foot high stage 15 feet away rocking out. RIP SIR

[@stuartharman2220]

Rock Candy was one of the first songs I learned to play as a new guitarist - timeless killer sound and when I finally got that overdrive on my '70 Les Paul and 100W Twin Reverb, it gave me goosebumps like I'd never experienced and I was hooked. Forty + years later, still doing my best to lay it down. Thank you Ronnie and Sammy for helping get me started!

[@ameirenterprises2669]

1st Montrose album is one of the 10 best ever. Sammy was best with Montrose.

[@dynasticlight1073]

Okay. Montrose ,could have been huge then . The ,70's were a vibrant , volatile time in music .I was there also , anyway -You had Frampton coming up. Carlos brought Schon on the scene. More Guitar bands to shake a stick at ,then V,H, .So that's a big dynamic to deal w/ and be come musically diverse in . Edgar Winter too , was happening , Led Zep . was still together .Genres of Music in general were changing and existing at the same time .

[@jeffcharest2118]

whats your point ?

[@BUNKERJR53]

I saw Montrose right after the first album released in Baltimore, Maryland. They were with Spooky Tooth and Humble Pie. They played the last set and blew the place away. What an intense rock band. High energy and non stop music. I was really there to see Humble Pie because I was really into them at the time. Never even knew who Montrose was until that night. I hate to say it but I will, they blew Humble Pie ( forgive me Steve "RIP") and Spooky Tooth off the stage. Humble Pie was the Head Liner but didn't play the last set. Big mistake on their part. What a night!!!!

[@sammyvh11]

After that show all of Baltimore was Montrosed. I know I was in high school there.

[@dwade6322]

I live in Cecil county,Md ...Montrose never made its way into high school kids playlist up here back in the day,but Montrose was soooo underrated. What venue/club did u see the show at? Humble Pie was great in the early days.

[@balltud]

I saw that tour, Richmond Va.

[@tonfan]

Wow----that line-up right there is my dream gig...(ha...about 50 yrs ago...sheesh! time flies! )

[@robintaylor680]

fantastic upload as Always. F-ing cool shines a entire new light on Hagar and Ronnie Montrose. i wonder what issues Ronnie was hiding inside himself that he could never let go?

[@johnmcminn9455]

It says in the police report he had Clinical Depression since being a toddler. That may have something to do with having an illness and being hospitalized or separated from mother and father in the first 2 formative years. Some of these cases are far worse than wanting to tour in a rock band . He may not have been hiding anything, just disconnected as an infant, unfortunately .

[@lisagresham-gordon1367]

Sad interview..so sorry. Grew up listening to Montrose. Love them. Last night in Tahoe was great Sammy thanks for coming

[@billiepulera1008]

Such a kick ass band, that first album is the template for many bands to follow! Every song bad ass!

[@darvinclement3250]

That first Montrose album ranks right there with the first two Led Zeppelin albums for me. I saw Ronnie and his band Gamma open for Blue Oyster Cult I believe in the late 70's.

[@sdc6447]

Don't get carried away.........Just saying. It was good. Just say that but don't go comparing it to Zeppelin. Ever.

[@Nobody-ls3ez]

@@sdc6447 I don't know. Page stole a lot of material for the early stuff. Okay, interpreted it...give him that

[@josephkrawiec-fn4rc]

Never saw Montrose the band..I did see Gamma a couple if times..Ronnie Montrose always blew me away. Great player..Great tone.R.I.P

[@boataxe4605]

The fact that Sammy’s face is cut in half on the cover says it all.

[@dwade6322]

Oh! 🤣

[@d.clemons5247]

I'm a Sammy fan but lets not forget he joined a band named "Montrose" nobody twisted his arm.

[@roberttaylor1275]

WOW very interesting stuff!!!! And the commentary Guy... genius!!!!! I don't know his name but he goes deep and no nonsense!!!! Keep going full in Bloom guy!!!!!!!!

[@vicmorrison8128]

Well that speaks for itself! Thanks for posting another great KZbin video!

[@jasonhillenburg799]

Wrenching memories from Sammy. He sounds like he's a little haunted by it all. I just want to say this channel is one of my all-time favorite KZbin channels. So much great content; I'm a fan of anyone who can geek out about the creative process behind this stuff like I do.

[@robertmirabilio5356]

So True F.I.B. Gets Right To It. The Whole Story! Right to the Point! Jason..

[@sharonklinger912]

First time I laid eyes on Sammy Hagar was in the 80s with Montrose doing back up for Foreigner at Hersheypark stadium. I knew he was going to become very famous after that!!!

[@FerdnandFreeholi]

the first album changed my life when I heard it. My guitar playing today is what I learned from the first album- along with many other influences back then. Name a guitar player today that moves you and makes you want to learn their riffs

[@atlasgunther8947]

This was good, the way I like, direct, no fluff like this response, thank-you.

[@timothyjudsontaylorofficia9786]

Met Ronnie at the Crest theater through a mutual friend on the Speed of Sound tour. Minutes after he finished…He handed me his axe and asked what I thought. Told him I loved his tone on the tour, he told me he would happily sell it to me. True to his word, he called me up, met me at TRS Studios in Foster City, and was absolutely cool. I bought his rack rig dirt cheap. Every time I saw him afterwards, it was first name basis. Ronnie had his demons, but he was nothing but good to me. May he rest in peace.

[@birage9885]

My first exposure to Montrose they were back up band to Frampton, in the 70s at a local college. It was a dance floor arrangement, so you could stand right up at the stage in the first row if you could get there, and we did. Now, I never heard of Montrose before, and let me tell you, my ears are still ringing from the concert. Aside from that, I was blown away by the band, loved Sammy, he was wearing a blue and white pocka dot suit, ha, ha, and Ronnie was smoking, as well as the rest of the band. Dennis was laying down some strong drum stuff. I took pictures and still have them in my scrap book.

[@robertthompson6302]

I think Sammy will always be perplexed why Ronnie just couldn’t let the band grow… If you look at RM’s history, he fired musicians a lot and had some strange belief people were there to see him; so it didn’t matter who was in the band. I don’t think Montrose knew how loyal fans were to that first record. He actually had a great ear for hiring great musicians and singers, but rock fans don’t like bands that keep changing members. ‘Jump On It’ had a singer named Bob James who was a super talented singer. Montrose had a great keyboardist/arranger named Jim Alcivar ( who was also in Gamma) I knew him well and heard a lot of stories about Ronnie. I feel bad for Hagar because he contributed A lot to the band and knew they all needed each other. Ronnie didn’t seem to care/know about the band chemistry thing and was always chasing that first album. Too bad. A good lesson there. Sammy is way more of a ‘band’ guy; Very loyal and emotional. He’s had a great career because of it and is a great businessman. I’ll always love Montrose in its original form. They were the American Led Zep, but Ronnie was just too hard to deal with I guess. RIP RM. He was super great guitar player who just didn’t have the proper social skills to navigate a rock band. Look at the Stones. They haven’t ever broken up for one Reason; They know they are better together! That’s a valuable thing to know.

[@daviderickson8699]

A few years after the breakup Sammy would also talk about wanting to contribute on guitar to the band and Ronnie wouldn't have it. He wanted to be the only guitar playing and Sammy, admitting in the interview I heard, had some ego about it. I know Sammy's guitar playing got even better from his time with Eddie, but he certainly was no slouch back then either. Look at some of the footage of him playing "This Planet's on Fire" - as good as many lead guitarists. Imagine having that talent in your band and saying, "nah."

[@kennygardner5041]

Sad that people have such talent and it goes to their head. Usually it revolves around insecurity. Montrose was one of the best! Sammy is also great and has to be known as one of best guys in the business.

[@OeditpusRex]

Talent went to whose head?

[@kennygardner5041]

@@OeditpusRex Montrose. Hagar has said so in the past as have others. He was GREAT, don’t get me wrong.

[@lrm215]

Montrose fantastic guitarist sad and terrible he had all those issues RIP Rock Cany Baby!!!

[@ivanwesley8182]

Montrose was a monster on the guitar

[@rctubs3593]

LEGENDARY BAND

[@tomitstube]

weird because that's kind of what i thought about montrose, you could see those intense looks, and when he was on stage he seemed in his own world. i was messed up in my teens and it was because of abuse, mostly verbal, some physical, i could never do anything right, and years of that really fucks you up, but even so i had some pretty normal friendships, it was being in crowds and around people i didn't know that became difficult... one can only imagine what he was going thru.

[@illiadmcswain3956]

Had the same upbringing, I know exactly what you're talking about

[@frodofraggins]

These sammy quotes are amazing.

[@SECURITY39]

Honestly Ronnie needs to be in the conversation any time EVH is brought up - you can clearly hear the influence

[@richardmountz3865]

Other guitar players in the seventies put down the first album as too simple. YEAH, it was simply awesome. Rock the nation was the first song I learned...

[@Cincinnatus1869]

I have to ask : Why do so many people who apparently don't like Sammy Hagar spend their time watching videos featuring interviews with Sammy Hagar ? Do you also go to restaurants which serve food you don't like?

[@gringo3002]

Stating the obvious here... it's because they don't have a life. I can just see some of these people responding that I don't have a life. Whatever. Some people will say I'm a hypocrite since I occasionally comment on movies I don't like in the comment sections of videos about those movies. No comment on that.

[@Cincinnatus1869]

@@gringo3002 it's so weird to see comments on a video saying ' I never did like this band , they suck ' . I don't pay any attention to bands I don't like . I certainly would not spend my valuable time watching videos about some artist I find to be dull or without talent. It makes more sense to watch stuff I like and enjoy it

[@jdemarco]

I hear you. But I would have to say that a lot of it is curiosity, and listening to someone you don't particularly like gives you a different view on things, and sometimes these backstories offer some unknowns facts that may change your perspective...

[@stevedorefromtyneside9993]

I don't seek out his crap, but I subscribe to Full in Bloom so I gave it a listen and it's typical Sam. Trashing the guy who gave him his start, pretending he's not and making sure to remind us all how rich and generous he is. Trash.

[@Cincinnatus1869]

@@stevedorefromtyneside9993 he's not saying anything that others haven't said before.

[@garyjones783]

That’s the same problem I’ve had with some really talented musicians. Too good for their own good.

[@TempoDrift1480]

Yeah writers are fuckin lame. It's always some self centered shit that nobody understands.

[@Dolores5000]

Interesting love Ronnie love Sammy people are people

[@scottwhite2757]

Great brief,, I can see how. Sammy liked Edgar Winter w/ Rick Derringer they were on fire back then .. :)

[@majorfeelgoodrecords2740]

When I finally got used to hearing the background Muzak 😩 This was really interesting. Thanks 🎼🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@erike7297]

Wow.... amazing singer guitarist and a hell of a story teller too.

[@jimmyhefner2195]

In ALL other interviews Ronnie’s a soft spoken kind guy. In NO other interviews does anyone have a problem with Montrose. Watch them and see for yourself! I don’t believe for a minute, that Ronnie stands with his back to the wall and rolls his eyes! If 1 person says something, we know that another has to make the same observation to substantiate the statement! That’s basic police-work. You get a statement and then look for another person who says the same thing. Then you know it’s real. I met Ronnie. He came up to me and introduced himself. He was kind and we spoke for as long as I wanted to. He answered any question I had for him. Moving on, Sammy Hagar next had a problem with Eddie Van Halen. In NO other interview does anyone speak in a negative way about Eddie. I’m convinced that if you play Guitar in his band better than Sammy Hager does he ends up having a problem with you. Now, because Alex doesn’t want to have anything to do with Sammy now he’s a target. I’m convinced that Sammy has Vic Johnson in the band because Vic sucks as a guitar player. That makes Sammy a star when he slings on his guitar. I would love to hear someone else speaking in this manner about Ronnie. Then I would believe it. But I haven’t. Ronnie had issues I can go with that, but who doesn’t? Before you poke holes in my story, I’m talking about being in a band with Sammy Hagar. Not jamming with him like Joe Satriani does. W.TF.

[@axatax57]

Montrose was the first true metal band, period! Way ahead of it's time for real.

[@jamiemoffatt50]

Black Sabbath was five years before them

[@jimmyz2098]

This is good stuff! I love hearing these old stories. All these dots connected. After all these years. Read the Ted Templeman book if you like this sort of thing. And of course, read Sammy's book, Red. Both incredible reads.

[@Johnny-lr5jt]

Only the first Montrose was any good (and it was GREAT). The quality of the songs quickly tanked after that. I remember being shocked at how lousy the subsequent albums were.

[@cato451]

I saw Ronnie Montrose play a small venue show in the early 1980s. Great player.

[@eddiebrown687]

.well that explains why Bill Church wasn't on the album "Paper Money".....I love the first album, but my fav Montrose song is "The Dreamer", from the 2nd album Paper Money....if you like the first album, you'll love that song....heavy riff. (I got the fire) is on there too. Oh, the song "Make it Last" has a new meaning lately....I'm now 64. Spend my time like there ain't gonna be no more....absolutely.

[@WineSippingCowboy]

Later, Alan Gerald took bass guitar. He left Montrose and left his bass guitar too! He joined Night Ranger and played there for 20 years. Then, he retired. RIP Ronnie Montrose

[@gringo3002]

Between Montrose and Night Ranger, he played keyboards on several Sammy Hagar solo albums.

[@robertthomas7239]

That's Alan Fitzgerald.

[@bobquack1]

Listen to "Free Ride" the original version from the album "They Only Come Out at Night." The Ronnie Montrose guitar solo is simple but is much better than the Rick Derringer version which was released as a single. The drums were miked up also. IMO the album version is superior to the single.

[@ronricherson6685]

A mutual friend named John who was a really good guitarist told me that Ronnie was looking to start a new band and wanted to add keyboards. This was about 1990. John told Ronnie that I was a good rock keyboardist and had great equipment. I told John, "Yeah...give him my number." He also told me that Ronnie was a bit "eccentric." I never heard a thing. Oh well.

[@ronricherson6685]

Rats, I shoulda dyed my hair white! I actually "wore" my synth and did Frankenstein with my band when I was like 18. Man, that thing was HEAVY! That was before the "Keytar" and others like it.

[@TempoDrift1480]

You still got that keyboard?

[@ronricherson6685]

Haha. I've upgraded multiple times since then! And now I have over 30 classic synths in software form now. It's great to have a Jupiter 8, Oberheim, DX7, Fairlilght, Synclavier and so many more all inside a laptop (and a few external hard drives).

[@rick3747]

@@ronricherson6685 That's a great piece of history. I am related to Ronnie and I know why Sammy said what he said about Ronnie and trusting people. It *is*a childhood thing. I will leave it at that. Ronnie was a good guy and did his best with what he had. Let's just enjoy his time that he spent with us.

[@ronricherson6685]

Thanks for commenting! Yeah, that was a lifetime ago. I was hired to write the charts for a talent show. A pro band was coming in to accompany singers and instrumentalists. A guitarist played Ronnie's "Town without Pity." Man, that was a complicated arrangement! There was far more to his talent than most people could appreciate. I hope you have some good memories of him.

[@ericrouse6458]

Bill and Denny and Sammy are related by blood and marriage to one of my best friends ,I know them kinda well and they are SOLID A F People .But never did I meet Ronnie.Edgar or Johnny but would see them at Winterlamd SF.,what a life!!! I love Rock and Roll!

[@romeo8334]

Great day mate good video.

[@tommitchell8425]

Well the name of the band was MONTROSE

[@guybo07]

I still my album from the 1970’s.. classic.

[@bak-mariterry5180]

Ronnie had MANSON LAMPS before Richie Aprile .

[@BigKexpress]

R.I.P. Ronnie; certainly a troubled soul 😔😔

[@BCTGuitarPlayer]

I’ve loved Montrose since the 70s and I’ve heard oddball information here and there, but I had no idea the guy was in such a depressed state. What a shame for such a master of the guitar.

[@Swimdeep]

Space Station #5 is an awesome song.

[@mrscarey3069]

Russ and Phil from Montrose did some of my shows. Talk to Sammy Hagar a few times. It was fun. These sound guys from the Montrose era where awesome.

[@raythackston1960]

Montrose..."I got the fire".

[@elektricsammy]

One look at the photo …Aspergers…brilliant minds that were so misunderstood back in that time period.

[@mindjob]

Loved his instrumental stuff and Gamma too. Too bad he never made it really big

[@bobthebear1246]

OMFG. For some reason, I never knew that Ronnie Montrose shot himself to death. 😳 That man obviously had some major demons. It's so sad, and clinical depression is a bitch. R.I.P.

[@trowerz]

My former brother would call victims of suicide..”pussies”. I don’t know if he’s still alive..but he was too much of a “pussy” to say “I love you” RonMon is Rockin a Nation somewhere..I hope to catch him again 🙏🏻💫

[@atlasgunther8947]

archons attack us all to some degree, tho the year of tiger borns the least

[@JohnFiocchi]

There are videos on youtube of Ronnie Montrose being interviewed while hes holding a guitar and demonstrating "Rock Candy" or "Space Station #5" ...because he is being asked how the ideas for those songs developed. This gives the average impression that he was a Rock guitarist . He was. However there were many times throughout his career when he wasn't or rather not being a Rock guitarist consistently. Take for example his playing on acoustic instruments from the Open Fire album or other albums where it was evident that he had mastered a lot in acoustic playing. Its easy to get the impression that he doesn't go beyond playing Rock. A lot of credit goes to Tommy Bolin for the way he played guitar on Billy Cobham Spectrum . Its sincere and its worthy.... Ronnie Montrose could have certainly played some amazing guitar on Billy Cobham Spectrum. The evidence is on Speed Of Sound Mr. Bones, and its obvious that he didnt always reveal his depth of talent . Some people in the past have stated that Joe Satriani was a finer guitarist than Montrose. Thats an opinion not a fact. If Ronnie Montrose had sat down and learned pieces from Surfing With The Alien ...he most certainly would have been able to play them. Ronnie Montrose doesnt get that kind of praise and maybe because his career moves overshadowed people's vision of his capabilities on the guitar...

[@TheLonePiper]

Sorry, the timing is all wrong. Sammy went to see Edgar when Ronnie was in the band (1972) and Ronnie was into The Ramones ... a band that didn't form until 1974.

[@ledzeplover58]

Sammy said Ronnie "liked the Ramones"-back in '73?

[@user-rt9zq8rs9k]

Ronnie Montrose just didn't want to put up with Sam's 🐂💩the way Eddie Van Halen had to .

[@roccidisopa661]

I met Ron Montrose at Guitar Center in The City back in the day. We were both checking out Heil Talk Boxes. He seemed like a real nice guy. In the Eighties I opened a show for Sammy when he was doing “Can’t Drive 55”. He told me he wrote or co-wrote the whole first Montrose LP. It was only then that I thought something was up between Sam and Ronnie.

[@jismism9515]

Holy F--k???? True tale well told...

[@John-cr2tn]

I saw Montrose with Sammy and I thought Sam was Montrose and after the show my friend told me what was what and I thought he was messing with me Sammy played lead and sang most of the songs

[@xiaoguan1143]

I'd like to see what Ronnie and Edward would say about Sammy now?

[@daveg4236]

Him and Ed made up so it'd be fine. Who knows or cares about Ronnie.....Sammy was the star and Ronnie hated it

[@idratherbefishing7753]

@@daveg4236 Ronnie montrose was playing with the Edgar Winter group before hagar was even known of and hagar still has no class or talent just a big ego and Ronnie recruited him not the other way around like hagar says so I guess he is also a lier also.

[@daveg4236]

@@idratherbefishing7753 what's your point. Ronnie didn't like Sammy being the star.

[@orvil9223]

Nothing. They're both dead.

[@careful__Icarus]

I think they would say,and forgive me I'm paraphrasing, " errrghh arrrghh errrgh ,55 my ass, errghhh arrrgh ". Sorry thats my best translation of two dead,potentially zombie,dudes.

[@robertmirabilio5356]

Another Classic “Full In Bloom”

[@andrikurniawan1654]

I am starting praise ronnie montrose

[@stevef7814]

High octane Sammy...Montrose probably couldn't take the energy.

[@aaronkristo858]

Denny Carmassi rules

[@coreysmorgan8488]

Denny Carmasi definately dosent get enough credit for his drumming

[@gringo3002]

I've heard that he was in another band with Sammy before Montrose.

[@markravitz1684]

He really pounded hard on Gamma 2