Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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HAGAR, Sammy

(b 13 Oct. '49, Monterey CA) Heavy metal singer/guitarist. Persuaded by Elvis Presley against following in father's footsteps as pro boxer; played in semi- pro bar band the Justice Brothers; joined band formed '73 by Ronnie Montrose, who had played with Van Morrison, Boz Scaggs, Edgar Winter, turned to heavy metal: Montrose '73 was a good example of energetic US HM of period, incl. anthemic 'Bad Motor Scooter'. Paper Money '74 not as upfront, but incl. interesting cover of Rolling Stones' 'Connection'. Other members of Montrose were Bill Church, bass; Denny Carmassi, drums; Hagar left and soon proved to have been an underrated guitarist (not allowed to shine by Montrose): formed own band with Church, Alan Fitzgerald on keyboards; Nine On A Ten Scale '76 incl. 'Keep On Rockin'', covered by Bette Midler in The Rose; after Sammy Hagar '77 Carmassi joined. Musical Chairs '78 followed by live All Night Long same year, incl. fine version of 'Scooter'. Good value support act for Kiss, Boston, Kansas, etc. Street Machine '79 regarded as classic of genre, but Danger Zone same year failed to match it; by this time band incl. Chuck Ruff on drums, Gary Pihl on guitar, Geoff Workman, keyboards: 'I've Done Everything For You' no. 36 UK '80; cover by Rick Springfield no. 8 USA '81; also wrote title track for Heavy Metal animated film. Compilation Loud And Clear was apt description of HM singer's voice; switch from Capitol to Geffen for Standing Hampton '82 marked leap to headlining status; Three Lock Box '83 first US top 20 LP, incl. 'Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy', no. 13 USA. Again demonstrated independence, taking time out for tour with Journey guitarist Neal Schon, recording live Through The Fire '84; band HSAS took initials of Hagar, Schon, Kenny Aaronson (bass) and ex-Santana Mike Shrieve (drums); cover of 17-year-old Procol Harum hit 'Whiter Shade Of Pale' made Hot 100. Returned to studio for VOA '84 (Voice Of America), incl. no. 38 hit 'Two Sides Of Love', 'I Can't Drive 55' best so far at no. 6. Sammy Hagar '87 went top 15, his best album showing yet; had its name changed to I Never Said Goodbye after an MTV contest. Meanwhile he turned his back on hard-won fame '85 by joining Van Halen, replacing David Lee Roth: now in shadow of another major-league guitarist (Eddie Van Halen), he did not become a bozo clone of bare-chested Roth; despite archetype HM-singer looks (mane of curls, rugged physique) Hagar was one of the few who could sing.