Tag Archives: Michael Anthony

About Sammy Hagar

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March 26, 2009

Inexhaustible Performer

 

 

 

 

 

Samuel Roy Hagar was born on Oct. 13, 1947 in Monterey, CA. Sammy’s dad was a professional boxer who held the title in the bantamweight division in the 1940’s. In his younger years, Sammy had planned on following in his father’s footsteps and he took up boxing—until the call of rock and roll seduced him. After performing with several different bands, he joined guitarist Ronnie Montrose and became the lead singer for Montrose in 1972. Their first album, self-titled “Montrose,” was released in 1973, followed by “Paper Money,” in 1974. Some of the most notable songs from these albums were: “Bad Motor Scooter,” “Rock Candy,” “Space Station #5” and “Rock the Nation.”

From there, Sammy went solo. His album “Nine on a Ten Scale” was released in 1976, with Bill Church on bass and Denny Carmassi on drums.

Sammy continued to build a name for himself in the world of rock music as he tirelessly cranked out one album after the other and enthusiastically toured to share his love of the game.

Some of his best known songs from this era are: “I’ll Fall in Love Again,” “There’s Only One Way to Rock,” “Remember the Heroes” and “Your Love is Driving Me Crazy,” along with what would come to be known as his mantra: “I Can’t Drive 55.”

During that time, his song “Red” earned him the nickname “The Red Rocker.”

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A short tour with HSAS (Hagar, Schon, Aaronson and Shrieve), featuring Journey’s guitarist Neal Schon, along with Michael Shrieve on drums and Kenny Aaronson on bass, produced one album, “Through the Fire,” released in 1984.

In 1985, legendary guitarist Eddie Van Halen contacted Sammy for a jam session. It went so well that Sammy ended up replacing Van Halen’s departing lead singer, David Lee Roth. The band featured Eddie Van Halen on lead guitar, his brother Alex on drums, Michael Anthony on bass and Sammy on lead vocals. Although fans and critics were skeptical that Hagar could carry such a heavy-hitting rock band, in 1986, the newly-formed Van Halen proved themselves a volcanic force in the world of rock music as their first album, “5150” went to number one.

After more than 10 years together, things between the players began to go sour. Sammy and the Van Halen brothers went their separate ways.10-12-06 (14)

Ever the entertainer, Sammy went on to create his own band with his friend, drummer David Lauser, who had been working with Sammy on his solo projects since 1981. The band also included guitarist Victor Johnson, formerly of The Bus Boys (who kicks ass, by the way), Jesse Harms on keyboards and Mona on bass. Calling themselves The Waboritas, they later became known simply as The Wabos.

Between performing and recording with The Wabos, in 2004, Sammy also did a short-lived reunion tour with Van Halen and in 2007, Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, David Lee Roth, Michael Anthony and Sammy Hagar were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Sammy and Mikey were the only members present at the ceremony to personally receive the honors.

Sammy’s most recent album, “Cosmic Universal Fashion” was released in 2008.

In June 2009, the supergroup Chickenfoot is poised to release their debut album. With Sammy as frontman, the band boasts guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani, ex-Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ drummer Chad Smith.

To date, Sammy has sold more than 60 million records worldwide.

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Sources: www.redrocker.com, www.billboard.com

Chickenfoot’s “Get Your Buzz On Live” DVD Review

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May 18, 2010

I assume this is the same concert I saw at the movie theater (sans the bonus footage) last December.

If so, I don’t remember the film being this dynamic at the theater because where Chickenfoot really must be experienced to be appreciated, is live. Or maybe it was the fact that when I watched this at home, the huge sound contained in my small living room almost blew out my windows. And I don’t mean because I had the volume cranked up.

When Joe Satriani, Sammy Hagar, Chad Smith and Michael Anthony break in with “Avenida Revolution,” it always surprises me because it’s such a dramatic entrance. It slams you hard. Now. And it hurts so fine. This time was no exception.

I already wrote about my impression of the movie on the big screen in Movie Review: Chickenfoot Live so I won’t repeat that here. Please see that post if you’re interested.

The bonus material in this DVD is the behind-the-scenes stuff that was missing from the version I saw at the theater. It shows Chad doing man-on-the-street interviews with would-be Chickenfoot “fans.” Holding the mic, which is outfitted with the Chickenfoot logo, Chad asks, “Do you recognize any of these guys?”

“No,” comes the answer from more than one interviewee. Funny stuff.

Then there’s Chad’s photo shoot where he’s dressed up like Will Ferrell in “Elf.” Smith points out that because of the costume, there’s a noticeable elf bulge in his pants, which he concludes isn’t a bad thing, then sits down on the floor and proceeds to literally tear up a snare drum. More funny stuff.

There’s a segment where Sammy visits Bob Weir (of The Dead) and they share a bottle of tequila while chatting about marijuana, among other things. Not sure if they’re stoned in this part of the documentary or not, but they sure are laughing a lot. At one point, Bob picks up a guitar and strums an impromptu melody. Sammy can’t help but jump in, ad-libbing vocals. Now if there’s one thing I’d like to put on my bucket list, it would be being in the room with Sammy and his friends while they’re just jamming like that. I can even feel the vibes through the TV screen.

Mikey is interviewed by Adam Corolla. This was my least favorite portion of the bonus footage, only because I didn’t like how Adam told Mikey he was the weakest link in Chickenfoot. Come on, Adam, Mikey deserves better than that!

Then there’s the “Joe Cam,” where Satriani films odd moments such as Chad’s nightly “flesh wound assessment,” and pans the audience from his onstage perspective. I think I recognized a few faces. And Satch being interviewed by Christopher Guest a.k.a. Nigel Tufnel from Spinal Tap, is amusing.

I also liked the tidbits from various concerts that were scattered throughout. They captured the vivacity—the sheer and commanding over-the-top force that is Chickenfoot in concert.

While I thought some of the interview segments seemed to run on a bit too long, overall, the bonus footage rounds out the DVD nicely, even Chad’s mooning the audience and his demolition of his drum kit at the end. Chad, you maniac! You ROCK!

Great concert video and fun extras.

Chickenfoot is due to record their second album soon and an inside source tells me it’s going to be amazing.

Can’t wait.

This is What I’m Talking About!

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October 19, 2010

I just got back from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and spending four nights watching Sammy Hagar perform at the Cabo Wabo Cantina, with Michael Anthony (of Chickenfoot and formerly of Van Halen), Vinnie Paul (Pantera) and Steve Harwell (Smashmouth), not to mention Sammy’s band, The Wabos, who totally kick ass.

It was more than a musical experience though, especially since after the first two shows, Sammy got sick, postponed the third show, and played the next two nights despite the fact that his voice was pretty much gone.

There’s something about Cabo.

It’s magic.

And many times when I go down there, I become infused with some sort of supernatural light that keeps coming out of me for months or sometimes for years. It’s as if that light attracts even more light into my life, like it did this morning, when I came across this article.

It’s about Carlos Santana’s spiritual connection with music, with God, with life. And it’s not written in esoteric concepts that the average person can’t understand–it’s presented in down-to-earth language that anyone can relate to. In other words, it gives us hope.

It’s interesting to me that I’d just returned from Cabo, met some wonderful people with whom I hope to work in order to get my message of hope out to more people (through my book), and then I come across this article. Coincidence? Not a chance. Light attracts light.

Enjoy.

Carlos Santana: Coltrane, Mysticism and Human Nature.