Hagar, Sammy
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Wikipedia-Article "Sammy Hagar"
Samuel Roy Hagar (born October 13, 1947 in Monterey, California, USA), better known as Sammy Hagar, is a U.S. rock guitarist, singer, and composer.
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Biography
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such as Red, Heavy Metal, Three Lock Box, and perhaps his best-known song I Can't Drive 55, a gripe against the (now-repealed) federally-imposed speed limit of 55 miles per hour on all U.S. highways. In 1983-84 Sammy Hagar and Neal Schon formed HSAS (Hagar Schon Aaronson Shrieve), a band which did a small Christmas tour to benefit local charities and which released one album, Through the Fire. As intended from its start, HSAS was a short-lived project.
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 Tucson, Arizona. As the show ended, Eddie smashed his guitar on stage sending shrapnel into the audience. This caused tensions to flare up backstage after the show and eventually sidelined possibilities for a future new album.
Trivia
- Hagar owns a nightclub and restaurant in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico called Cabo Wabo, where the video for the 1999 hit song "Mas Tequila" (from the Red Voodoo album) was filmed. Hagar plays at the club during his annual autumn "Birthday Bash".
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
- Live 1980
- Standing Hampton
- Rematch (And More)
- Three Lock Box
- VOA
- Through the Fire (Hagar Schon Aaronson Shrieve)
- 5150 (Van Halen)
- I Never Said Goodbye (Edward Van Halen produced/played bass, Mike sang backup, made while Hagar was a member of Van Halen)
- OU812 (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
- The Number One Sammy Hagar Discography
- Official Sammy Hagar Website
- Official Van Halen Website
- Sammy Hagar at the Internet Movie Database