Montrose was an American hard rock band formed in 1973 and named after guitarist and founder Ronnie Montrose. The band's original lineup featured lead vocalist and frontman Sammy Hagar, who would later find success as a solo artist and as singer of Van Halen. Completing the original line-up were bassist Bill Church and drummer Denny Carmassi. The band experienced moderate success before disbanding in early 1977. The 1973 debut album Montrose eventually proved to be an international sleeper hit, selling in excess of one million copies and attaining platinum status in 1986.

History

Prior to forming the band Montrose, guitarist Ronnie Montrose had been a successful session musician, playing (along with future Montrose bassist Bill Church) on Van Morrison's Tupelo Honey album produced by Ted Templeman, and on albums by Beaver & Krause and Herbie Hancock. He was also a member of the Edgar Winter Group, playing on the hit single "Frankenstein" from the best-selling album They Only Come Out at Night (1972).

Their debut album, Ted Templeman-produced Montrose, was released on Warner Bros in late 1973. it proved to be an international sleeper hit which over a period of several decades has sold in excess of one million copies, attaining platinum status.

The first member to leave the original Montrose lineup was bassist Bill Church, who was replaced by Alan Fitzgerald for the band's second album, Paper Money (1974), also produced by Ted Templeman. Despite its significant stylistic departure from the band's iconic debut, lukewarm response from critics, and mixed reactions from fans, Paper Money initially sold twice as many copies as Montrose. It was the band's highest-charting release, reaching No. 65 on the Billboard 200. This period also netted Montrose their second highest chart position, with Warner Bros Presents reaching No. 79 on the Billboard 200.

Members

  • Ronnie Montrose – guitar (1973–1977, 1987: Died 2012)
  • Denny Carmassi – drums (1973–1977)
  • Sammy Hagar – vocals (1973–1975)
  • Bill Church – bass (1973–1974)
  • Alan Fitzgerald – bass (1974–1976)
  • Bob James – vocals (1975–1977: Died 2021)
  • Jim Alcivar – keyboards (1975–1977)
  • Randy Jo Hobbs – bass (1976: Died 1993)
  • Glenn Letsch – bass (1987)
  • Johnny Edwards – vocals (1987)
  • James Kottak – drums (1987: Died 2024)

Timeline

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Discography

Studio albums

{| class="wikitable"

!Year

!Studio album

!US

!Certification

|-

|1973

|Montrose

|133

|

  • US: Platinum

|-

|1974

|Paper Money

|65

|

|-

|1975

|Warner Bros. Presents Montrose!

|79

|

|-

|1976

|Jump on It

|118

|

|-

|1987

|Mean

|165

|

|}

Compilation albums

  • The Very Best of Montrose (2000)
  • An Introduction To: Montrose (2019)

Singles

  • "Rock the Nation" (1973)
  • "Bad Motor Scooter" (UK, 1974)
  • "Space Station Number 5" (1974)
  • "Paper Money" (1974)
  • "Connection" (1975)
  • "I Got the Fire" (Japan, 1975)
  • "Matriarch" (1975)
  • "Music Man" (1976)
  • "Jump on it" (Japan, 1976)
  • "Let's Go" (1977)
  • "Space Station Number 5" (1980 UK re-release) No.&nbsp;71 UK

See also

  • Sammy Hagar discography

References

  • Ronnie Montrose webpage