Montrose was the band put together by guitarist Ronnie Montrose. Montrose had been a player with Edgar Winter, and is one of the guitarists you hear on "Free Ride" and "Frankenstein" (Rick Derringer is the other).

The band Montrose featured a young Sammy Hagar on vocals. Their debut album, titled "Montrose" was the first metal album to go gold.

They had a minor radio hit withe "Rock Candy". "Bad Motor Scooter", "Rock the Nation" and (my favorite) "Space Station #5) also may sound familiar.

Hagar recorded the second album, "Paper Money" then left to go out on his own. For that album, Montrose brought in a new bassist/keyboardist named Alan Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald later joined a band you may have heard of - Night Ranger!

The drummer was Denny Carmassi, who later joined Heart, and then Whitesnake. I don't know if he got with Tawny Kitaen or not.

I saw Montrose in 1974 or 1975 (can't remember), when Hagar was still the vocalist. They played Hofheinz Pavilion in Houston.

Montrose influenced just about every metal band that came after them. But, like so many of the ultra-talented musicians, Ronnie Montrose's tastes got weirder and weirder, and he quit playing rock music many years ago. I think he's into jazz improv.

Here is some Montrose (with Sammy Hagar). Enjoy!

(Damn, I just watched these. They are LIVE. They absolutely ROCK!)

Bad Motor Scooter


I Got the Fire - this is 3 minutes of HELLACIOUS guitar


Paper Money (song cuts off early - too bad!)


Rock the Nation - not a video, but you still need to hear this! Hagar at his vocal BEST

Great band. I don't own any of their cd's, but I used to have a few cassettes back in the day.

No comment.

Space Station #5 is also my favorite. How anyone can resist that song is beyond me. As for their albums i only have the debut, i should really pick up Paper Money. I like Hagar as a vocalist but his lyrics are terrible, well his solo stuff anyway. I also think Denny Carmessi toured with Coverdale/Page.
[Edited 7/24/08 20:42pm]