HAGAR, SAMMY

Genres: hard rock, rock, classic rock, heavy metal, 80s

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About HAGAR, SAMMY

Samuel Roy Hagar (born October 13, 1947), also known as the Red Rocker, is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He rose to prominence in the early 1970s as the lead vocalist of Montrose before launching a solo career, achieving a hit in 1984 with "I Can't Drive 55". Hagar later gained further commercial success as the lead vocalist of Van Halen from 1985 to 1996, and again from 2003 to 2005. In 2007, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Van Halen. His musical style primarily consists of hard rock and heavy metal. Hagar was born in Salinas, California, to Robert Alton "Bobby" Hagar and Alberta "Gladys" Hagar, and grew up in Fontana, California. He is of Irish and Italian descent. Hagar’s family moved frequently due to his father’s alcoholism, and he worked various jobs in his youth, including picking fruit, delivering newspapers, and mowing lawns. He taught himself to play guitar as a teenager and formed his first band, the Fabulous Castilles, at age 14. Hagar attended concerts by the Rolling Stones and surf guitarist Dick Dale, which influenced his early musical development. After high school, he joined several local bands, including the Johnny Fortune Band, Big Bang, Skinny, Dustcloud, Cotton, Jimmy, the Justice Brothers, and Manhole, and eventually relocated to San Francisco. In 1973, Hagar was recruited by guitarist Ronnie Montrose to join the newly formed hard rock band Montrose. He appeared on the band’s debut album "Montrose" (1973) and sophomore album "Paper Money" (1974), contributing songs such as "Bad Motor Scooter". Hagar left Montrose following creative conflicts during a European tour, and Bill Church and Denny Carmassi eventually left with him to join his backing band. Hagar launched a solo career in the late 1970s, releasing albums on Capitol Records, including "Nine on a Ten Scale" and "Street Machine", and later moving to Geffen Records. His solo work included albums such as "Standing Hampton", "Three Lock Box", and "VOA", producing hits including "Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy" and "I Can't Drive 55". He also wrote songs for other artists, including Rick Springfield’s "I've Done Everything for You" and Bette Midler’s "Keep on Rockin" and "Red". In 1983 and 1984, Hagar joined guitarist Neal Schon, bassist Kenny Aaronson, and drummer Michael Shrieve to form the supergroup HSAS, releasing the album "Through the Fire". Hagar joined Van Halen in 1985 following David Lee Roth’s departure. With Hagar as lead vocalist, the band released four multi-platinum albums: "5150", "OU812", "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge", and "Balance", and achieved nine number 1 Mainstream Rock hits. The band was often informally referred to as "Van Hagar" during this period. Hagar departed Van Halen in 1996 following internal disputes over recording and management decisions. He reunited with the band for a brief period from 2003 to 2005, during which they released "The Best of Both Worlds" and toured. Hagar formed the band Los Tres Gusanos with David Lauser and Michael Anthony in 1993, performing a mix of his solo material, Van Halen songs, and covers. The band has regrouped periodically since 2002. He also formed Sammy Hagar & the Waboritas in 1996, featuring Lauser, Vic Johnson, Jesse Harms, and Mona Gnader, with whom he toured and released several live recordings. In 2002, Hagar formed Planet Us with Neal Schon, Joe Satriani, Michael Anthony, and Deen Castronovo, recording two songs that were later released through solo projects. In 2008, he formed the supergroup Chickenfoot with Anthony, Chad Smith, and Satriani, releasing their self-titled debut in 2009. Hagar established Sammy Hagar and the Circle in 2014, featuring Michael Anthony, Vic Johnson, and Jason Bonham. The group performs Hagar’s solo material as well as Montrose, Van Halen, and Chickenfoot songs. Their live album "At Your Service" was released in 2015, and the studio album "Space Between" was released in 2019, debuting at number 4 on the Billboard 200 and reaching number 1 on multiple Billboard charts. In addition to his music career, Hagar has founded four spirits brands and 13 restaurants, and in 2008 established the Hagar Family Foundation with his wife, Kari, focused on children’s causes and hunger relief. Studio albums Nine on a Ten Scale (1976) Sammy Hagar (1977) Musical Chairs (1977) Street Machine (1979) Danger Zone (1980) Standing Hampton (1982) Three Lock Box (1982) VOA (1984) I Never Said Goodbye (1987) Marching to Mars (1997) Red Voodoo (1999) Ten 13 (2000) Not 4 Sale (2002) Livin' It Up! (2006) Cosmic Universal Fashion (2008) Sammy Hagar & Friends (2013) Lite Roast (2014) Space Between (2019) Lockdown 2020 (2021) Crazy Times (2022)

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