Legendary "Red Rocker" Sammy Hagar has made a substantial impression on the American rock scene. Hagar is not only a top notch guitarist but possessor of an awesome hard rock voice and unique songwriting ability that can see him at ease with raging hard rock material and more thoughtful mellower work alike. Born in Monterey, California, his first ambitions after having graduated from Fontana High School were to follow his father into the ring. However, this foray into the world of boxing proved short-lived. His music career began with a succession of local late sixties acts. In 1968, Hagar enrolled into his first professional group, THE JOHNNY FORTUNE BAND, as a vocalist and rhythm guitarist. He then journeyed on through bands such as THE FABOULOUS CASTILLAS, SKINNY, JUSTICE BROTHERS and DUSTCLOUD prior to his joining MONTROSE in 1973, an act created by ex-EDGAR WINTER and VAN MORRISON guitarist RONNIE MONTROSE.

After two ground breaking albums, 1973's 'Montrose' and 1974's 'Paper Money', during which tenure he penned the internationally recognised hit 'Bad Motor Scooter', Hagar quit MONTROSE. Via a brief interlude where he attempted to put together a new group under the handle of SAMMY WILD AND THE DUST COWBOYS, Hagar took up a solo career which the man has continued to follow, even managing a record during a ten year stint fronting VAN HALEN.

Hagar debuted with 1976's 'Nine On A Ten Scale' album, cut at The Record Plant, Sausalito with producer John Carter, for Capitol Records. His band comprised fellow MONTROSE refugees Bill Church and Alan Fitzgerald with guitarist Gary Pihl. Ex-STONEGROUND man John Blakely also sessioned on bass.Session drummers included Dallas Taylor, the esteemed JETHRO TULL and JOURNEY credited Aynsley Dunbar, STEELY DAN's Jim Hodder and HUMBLE PIE's Jerry Shirley.

Hagar covered two songs that would precede their original composers own released versions, with 'Flamingos Fly' composed by VAN MORRISON and 'China' crafted by ex-FLEETWOOD MAC man BOB WELCH. Morrison included his version of his track on the 1977 effort 'A Period Of Transition' whilst Welch included his version of 'China' on his 1979 album 'Three Hearts'. Also of note would be a take on DONOVAN's 'Young Girl Blues' and the Sammy Hagar original 'Keep On Rockin', this song being radically re-worked by diva Bette Midler for 'The Rose' hit soundtrack. 'Nine On A Ten Scale' was a moderate success, attaining a no. 167 position on the national US Billboard charts.

The eponymous 1977 follow up album, again produced by John Carter, was issued under the title 'Red' in America and saw the inclusion of a permanent drummer in Scott Matthews with Fitzgerald opting to work once more with Montrose on his 1978 solo album 'Open Fire' and subsequent band GAMMA. Former EDDIE MONEY band guitarist David Lewark contributed. Hagar's second outing scored no. 89 on the Billboard charts. The distinctive all red album cover features a red clad Hagar and a red Corvette amidst red painted shops in Stockwell Road, London, SW9, as also featured in the 1966 movie 'Blow Up'.

Once again Hagar benefitted from Bette Midler's appreciation his work as she covered the song 'Red' on her 1977 album 'Broken Blossom'. Hagar also tackled a second DONOVAN song in 'Catch The Wind', PILOT's 'Fillmore Shuffle', PAUL REVERE & THE RAIDERS 'Hungry' as well as PATTI SMITH's 'Free Horses'.

The following year's 'Musical Chairs' album, hitting no. 100 on the charts, had Matthews supplanted by yet another former MONTROSE man, drummer Denny Carmassi, in addition to second guitarist David Lewark. Carmassi would later join HEART. 'Musical Chairs' was promoted by a radio only 12" vinyl single featuring a rendition of OTIS REDDING's 'Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay' and 'I've Done Everything For You'. Strangely, neither song was included on the album. The lead in public single culled from 'Musical Chairs' would be 'You Make Me Crazy' followed by 'Turn Up The Music'. The album also hosted the RICK NELSON cover 'Try (Try To Fall In Love)'.

A further radical change of approach was adopted in 1979 when Hagar, retaining Church, assembled a completely fresh band, consisting of a returning Pihl on guitar, keyboard player Geoff Workman and drummer Chuck Ruff. The latter was to be replaced by David Lauser, a former colleague of Hagar's in the early JUSTICE BROTHERS band, in 1980.

The album of that year, 'Street Machine', featured a take on MONTROSE's 'This Planet's On Fire (Burn In Hell)'. The song 'Falling In Love' featured a choir of BOSTON band members, Barry Goudreau, Brad Delp and Sib Hashian.

Due to the impact of Hagar's touring in Britain Capitol Records re-issued the album retitled 'Centrehole' in 1980. Hagar toured relentlessly as a headliner and as guest for acts such as KISS, BOSTON and KANSAS.

Keith Olsen produced cheekily titled 'Three Lock Box' gave Hagar his biggest American chart hit to date and to capitalise on this a live album of old material was released to keep the momentum flowing.

Hagar put his solo career on hold for a while creating the project band H.S.A.S. together with JOURNEY guitarist NEAL SCHON, bassist Kenny Aaronson and drummer Michael Shrieve prior to returning to solo action with the 'V.O.A. (Voice Of America' album.

The contractual obligation effort 'Sammy Hagar' was produced by band mate Eddie Van Halen, who also contributed bass parts.

1993's 'Best Of Sammy Hagar' album saw a welcome inclusion of two new tracks 'High Hopes' and 'Buying My Way Into Heaven', Mike Clink produced the tracks and both were released as singles.

Hagar lost his position in VAN HALEN without even knowing it. Having returned home following touring to attend to his newborn child, the Van Halen brothers were to use this down time in activities for well earned rest and recuperation. Eddie also to have hip surgery and Alex to have neck surgery. However, VAN HALEN promptly went straight back into the studio to work on new material with ex vocalist DAVID LEE ROTH for a 'Greatest Hits' package minus an uninvited Hagar.

Hagar's first post VAN HALEN album the Mike Clink produced 'Marching To Mars' was self-financed by Hagar to the tune of a cool $480'000. The guitarist had no wish to be beholden to a major record company purely interested in his VAN HALEN pedigree and selling power consequently signing in America with Track Factory Records, an offshoot of MCA.

'Marching To Mars' witnessed an overdue reunion between the singer and his former MONTROSE colleagues guitarist RONNIE MONTROSE, bassist Bill Church and drummer Denny Carmassi on the track 'Warmth Of The Womb'. Other guests included MR. BIG vocalist ERIC MARTIN, guitarist MICHAEL LANDAU, GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Slash on the song 'Little White Lie', GUNS N' ROSES drummer Matt Sorum and Huey Lewis. The album also includes Hagar's rendition of one of his compositions that had previously been recorded by MEAT LOAF 'Amnesty Is Granted'.

Hagar made another album appearance the same year when the veteran king of shock ALICE COOPER opted to record his 'Fistful Of Alice' live album at Hagar's Cabo Wabo club in Mexico. Naturally the red rocker found it irresistible to make an appearance.

By 1998 Hagar was still on the road including Australian dates his band THE WABORITAS being rounded off by ex BUS BOYS, SOUND BARRIER and TOTAL ECLIPSE guitarist Victor Johnson, female bassist Mona Nada, ex HUGHES/THRALL keyboard player Jessie Harmes and former ALLIANCE and ICON drummer Dave Lauser.

By the turn of the millennium Hagar had clocked up album sales surpassing 40 million. As a solo artist the man could boast one platinum record and five gold, with MONTROSE one platinum album and with VAN HALEN no less than six multi-platinum awards.

A new album 'Ten 13' (Hagar's birthday) was issued in 2000 with certain American retail stores receiving free CD's featuring live tracks recorded in 1999 as promotion tools. The Japanese version would also include no less than four extra tracks with live versions, radio edits and alternative mixes.

Hagar embraced the world of DVD formatting in 2001 issuing his debut release 'Sammy Hagar And The Waboritas - Cabo Wabo Birthday Bash Tour'. The disc featured a live gig from Hagar's Cabo Wabo club plus live footage filmed in Chicago alongside interviews.

Speculation would be rife in January of 2002 that Hagar was to front up a brand new 'supergroup' set to include the JOURNEY pairing of guitarist NEAL SCHON and drummer Deen Castronovo and rumours that even ex GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Slash and Hagar's erstwhile VAN HALEN compatriot bassist Michael Anthony might be involved. Indeed, within days of the leak this superstar collective, according to rumour dubbed PLANET U.S., would be confirmed officially with surprising rapidity. Two songs, 'Vertigo' and 'Peeping Through A Hole', would be recorded for a projected inclusion on the 'Spiderman' movie soundtrack but these songs were apparently deemed too heavy!

During mid March, in a move that not only surprised but even shocked VAN HALEN fans Roth announced that plans were afoot for a joint American summer tour in allegiance with none other than his old verbal sparring partner DAVID LEE ROTH. Apparently the two singers had finally met and got on so well together that an alliance was proposed soon after. Within days this union was confirmed, the two stars alternating headliners each night on a tour commencing on the 29th of May in Ohio.

During the interim Hagar performed a brief solo set at the California Music Awards, topping it with a two song encore from the PLANET U.S. band. Hagar's band put in a three night run at the famous Bay Area Fillmore venue. Rumours abounded regarding a special show for the climax and sure enough, following a 40 minute Waboritas set, VAN HALEN and PLANET US colleague Michael Anthony stepped up for four VAN HALEN numbers. The surprises did not end there however as both Lars Ulrich and Kirk Hammett of METALLICA would unexpectedly take to the stage to rip through a set of MONTROSE songs.

Michael Anthony would show up unannounced at the Tinley Park, Illinois gig of the SAMMY HAGAR and DAVID LEE ROTH 'Heavyweight Champs of Rock n' Roll' tour on Saturday, June 1st, joining the Red Rocker on stage for several VAN HALEN songs including 'Top Of The World', 'Why Can't This Be Love', and 'Dreams'. As the highly successful Roth / Hagar dates were extended into a second leg Michael Anthony made his appearance during Hagar's show a regular event. What had been without doubt a hugely successful venture in terms of both ticket sales and publicity ended on a damp squib though as Hagar fell ill at the close of dates, cancelling New York state gigs in Buffalo and Syracuse.

Hagar's new studio album 'Not For Sale' arrived in October through the 33rd Street label owned by Tower Records.

Although it had appeared that the PLANET U.S. project had been placed on hold during March of 2003 Hagar and Schon revealed that the band was very much alive and had introduced none other than JOE SATRIANI on guitar. Meantime Hagar signed up to Sanctuary Records for a new solo deal, commencing with a live album 'Live Hallelujah' released in May. Featured on these recordings, which closed out with a brand new studio track 'Hallelujah', would be guesting VAN HALEN bassist Michael Anthony as well former VAN HALEN and EXTREME frontman Gary Cherone. As 2004 drew in the Rock rumour mill went into overdrive suggesting Hagar was all set to rejoin VAN HALEN, this being confirmed during February. As a suitably mammoth North American tour was scheduled Hagar cut three new songs for inclusion on a 'Greatest Hits Vol. 2' collection.

Hagar opened the first of his 'Cabo Wabo Cantina' chain on U.S. soil at Harveys in Lake Tahoe, Nevada during April. Naturally the man stepped up for a gig to officially launch the opening, being joined onstage by TED NUGENT, RONNIE MONTROSE, Billy Duffy of THE CULT and JERRY CANTRELL.

With VAN HALEN's comeback in full swing a Hagar compilation was issued to coincide, 'The Essential Red Collection' charting at no. 75 on Billboard. Although both the VAN HALEN compilation and tour did solid business it would not be too long before rumours emerged of disharmony in the ranks once again.

Backing away from plans for a new VAN HALEN studio album, Hagar, joined by VAN HALEN bassist Michael Anthony, set up a Mexican-themed 'Cinco de Cabo' solo tour for April of 2005. The duo forged the LOS TRES GUSANOS band for a three night stand at the Cabo Wabo South Shore Room in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, to close the month, performing a set of MONTROSE and VAN HALEN classics. Onstage guests included GEORGE LYNCH and NEAL SCHON. Hagar's only European date came at the enormous Sölvesborg 'Sweden Rock' festival in June. The singer would also lend guest vocals to a new MONTROSE album. In June Hagar released a new single to radio, a cover of THE STAPLES SINGERS 'Let Me Take You There'.

On 6th August, at Independence Township, Michigan, Hagar launched into the 'The Tequila Made Me Do It' tour, this extravaganza not only featuring the man and his music but promises of a parking lot tailgate party with beach volleyball, automotive shows, a "Sammy-oke" karaoke stage, Mariachi bands and even fan photo opportunities with "donkeys wearing sombreros". Hagar also made plans known to give future live dates for free, the ticket price being subsidised by his growing business empire of Cabo Wabo tequila and Cabo Wabo Cantina clubs.

Word arrived in January 2006 that Hagar was featured as guest singer on RONNIE MONTROSE's album 'Ronnie Montrose and Friends: 10x10'. Back on the road, Hagar's summer US 'Livin' It Up' dates had him backed by a band comprising VAN HALEN bassist Michael Anthony, Vic Johnson and David Lauser.

In August Versailles Records released 'Three Lock Box - A Millennium Tribute To Sammy Hagar'. Artists paying tribute with a set of cover versions included KELLY KEELING, CHRIS CATENA and AMERICAN DOG.

January 2007 revealed that Hagar was plotting an album with guitar virtuoso JOE SATRIANI, VAN HALEN bassist Michael Anthony and RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS drummer Chad Smith dubbed CHICKENFOOT. That same month Hagar announced a joint enterprise with American Spirit's Jon Lewis to partner as co-owners of a racecar to be campaigned by Team KMA Racing in the Indy Pro Series.

As a member of VAN HALEN, Hagar was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in a New York ceremony held on March 12th. The CHICKENFOOT project proved to be highly successful, charting high on the US Billboard charts and garnering commendable reviews on the live front.

February 2010 saw the inclusion of Hagar's 'Urban Guerrilla' included on the Swedish MOUNTAIN OF POWER album 'Volume 2'. 

Garry Sharpe-Young