Profile of Sammy Hagar on Famous Like Me

Samuel Roy Hagar (born October 13, 1947 in Monterey, California), better known as Sammy Hagar, is a Lebanese U.S. rock guitarist, singer, and composer.

After a brief career as a boxer in the footsteps of his father, Sammy became interested in the burgeoning Southern California music scene, fronting his first band, "The Fabulous Castiles." Hagar's first major success, however, came from his work with the group Montrose on their debut and sophomore albums, including the Hagar-penned song "Bad Motor Scooter." After difficulties with the band's founder, Ronnie Montrose, during a European tour, Sammy departed from the group with bassist Bill Church and drummer Denny Carmassi in tow.

Hagar commenced a solo recording and touring career to increasing success, enjoying hits such as Red, Heavy Metal, Three Lock Box, and perhaps his best-known song I Can't Drive 55, a gripe against the (now-repealed) federally-imposed speed limit of 55 miles per hour on all U.S. highways. Also around this time Sammy Hagar was briefly in Hagar Schon Aaronson Shrieve.

After parting ways with popular vocalist David Lee Roth, the remaining members of the band Van Halen contacted many people looking for a vocalist. Thanks to Eddie's appreciation of Montrose and his car mechanic's suggestion, they auditioned and quickly hired Hagar to fill the opening. With Hagar at the front, Van Halen produced four multi-platinum albums: 5150, OU812, For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, and Balance as well as many number 1 hits. Yet, trouble in paradise eventually ensued, culminating in 1996. Hagar disliked using new songs on the Twister soundtrack and the then-forthcoming Best of Volume 1 CD. Hagar wanted to do a new studio album instead, but only after Eddie (hip -- avascular necrosis), Alex (neck -- dislocated vertebrae?), and Hagar's pregnant wife all got their medical stuff taken care of. Also, Van Halen's new management seemed to clash with the band. Things were never sorted out, and the band split up.

Determined to rise from the ashes, Hagar went on to produce several new solo records after parting ways with Van Halen in 1996. After the successful "Heavyweights of Rock" tour (2002), where he co-headlined with David Lee Roth, Hagar started thinking about his former Van Halen bandmates, calling Alex in late 2003 from a tip by a mutual friend. In early 2004, Van Halen with Sammy Hagar was announced to the general public, culminating with a highly anticipated summer tour and a 2-CD Best Of album, entitled Best of Both Worlds featuring three new Van Halen tracks fronted by Hagar.

The subsequent tour brought on more problems, most notably Eddie Van Halen's alleged fall back to alcohol resulting in a somewhat infamous final show in Tuscon, Arizona. The show ended when Eddie smashed his guitar on stage sending shrapnel into the audience, reportedly frightening many in attendance and the entire band leaving the stage separately. Hagar has gone on record since then as saying he will not reunite with the band for the much rumored new album.

Discography

• Montrose (Montrose)
• Paper Money (Montrose)
• Nine on a Ten Scale (beginning of solo career)
• Sammy Hagar
• Musical Chairs
• All Night Long
• Street Machine
• Danger Zone
• Turn Up the Music
• Red Hot
• Standing Hampton
• Rematch (And More)
• Three Lock Box
• VOA
• Through the Fire (Hagar Schon Aaronson Shrieve)
• 5150 (Van Halen)
• OU812 (Van Halen)
• I Never Said Goodbye (Edward Van Halen produced/played bass, Mike sang backup, made while Hagar was a member of Van Halen)
• For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (Van Halen)
• Live: Right Here, Right Now (Van Halen, including Sammy singing some Dave-era songs)
• Unboxed (1994, two new solo songs)
• Balance (last studio album with Van Halen)
• Best of Volume 1 (Van Halen, includes "Humans Being" from Twister)
• Marching to Mars (first post-VH solo album, Montrose performs on "Leaving the Warmth of the Womb")
• Red Voodoo (first album with backing band: Waboritas)
• Ten 13
• Not 4 Sale
• Live! Hallelujah (with guest spots by Mike and one by Gary)
• Best of Both Worlds (Van Halen, three new songs)
• The Essential Red Collection (two unreleased solo songs)

External Links

Official Sammy Hagar Website

Official Van Halen Website

IMDB entry

This content from Wikipedia is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Sammy Hagar