Montrose frontman Keith St. John recently explained why the band missed the opportunity to achieve the same level of success as legendary rock acts like Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple. He shared his insights in an interview with We Go To 11.
The discussion arose when St. John was asked about Montrose’s potential to reach the heights of these iconic bands. When questioned about whether Montrose should have been as big as Purple and Zeppelin, St. John provided detailed insight into the internal dynamics that held the band back.
“Yeah, somewhere in there. I think, you know, they had the potential with the chemistry they had, with the songs they started out with,” St. John said. “With the, you know, stance and the persona they had. They really were poised to go in that direction. And you know, unfortunately, behind the scenes, opinions and vibe between Ronnie and Sam didn’t agree.”
St. John elaborated on how guitarist Ronnie Montrose’s approach to leadership evolved over time. He contrasted his later years with his earlier, more controlling style.
“Ronnie was, when I worked with Ronnie, he was older, wiser, let’s just say, and had probably mellowed to a point where, yes, he was still clearly the leader of the platoon,” he continued. “But he paid respect to everybody else’s what they want to do and what they need to do. And from everything I’ve heard over the years, I think in his younger years, he kind of didn’t really want the singer to go out in the spotlight.”
The vocalist explained how Montrose’s vision for the band may have limited its potential. He drew comparisons to other guitar-driven acts.
“It’s the vibe that I get after talking to Sam, after talking with Bob James, who was the second singer. When the band was called Montrose, I think he kind of wanted to be more like the Jeff Beck group where Jeff Beck was pretty much the main superstar there and everybody else, including the singer, as kind of a side person,” St. John said.
St. John also shared how his own relationship with Montrose differed from earlier band dynamics. He suggested the guitarist had learned from past experiences.
“He had a conversation with me early on and you know he said, ‘Keith, I look at a band as you know this pyramid.’ He’s like you know we got guitar player bass player and then we got the point of the pyramid which is right there is the singer and when he made a point of saying that to me I kind of felt like maybe there was something in the past that he was trying to sort of correct you know just have that vibe,” he explained.
The frontman concluded by reflecting on what could have been for the band. He emphasized the missed opportunity due to internal conflicts.
“That’s too bad because those guys really really really could have done, you know, a lot bigger than what happened,” St. John said.
St. John’s observations about Montrose’s unrealized potential carry significant weight when considering the band’s impressive commercial achievements and critical recognition during their brief heyday.
Wikipedia noted that Montrose’s 1973 debut album has often been cited as “America’s answer to Led Zeppelin.” This highlighted just how close the band came to achieving the legendary status St. John referenced. The comparison wasn’t merely hyperbole. The album demonstrated the raw power and musical sophistication that could have propelled them to the same heights as their British counterparts.
The commercial success of their debut further supports St. John’s assessment of the band’s squandered potential. Wikipedia reported that the 1973 debut album Montrose eventually proved to be an international sleeper hit. It sold in excess of one million copies and attained platinum status in 1986. This level of commercial success, achieved despite the internal conflicts St. John described, suggests what might have been possible with better band chemistry.
The foundation for Montrose’s sound was built on solid musical credentials that extended beyond the band itself. Louder Sound revealed that Ronnie Montrose developed his signature sound while working with the Edgar Winter Group. He honed the rock guitar skills that would define the band’s approach there. This experience provided him with the technical foundation and industry connections that initially positioned Montrose for major success.
The band’s formation in 1973 brought together a lineup of talented musicians who could have sustained long-term success under different circumstances. The original roster featured Sammy Hagar on vocals, bassist Bill Church, and drummer Denny Carmassi alongside Ronnie Montrose. This created a powerful combination that captured the attention of both critics and fans during their peak years.
St. John’s later involvement with the band, spanning from 2001 to 2011, gave him unique insight into how Montrose’s leadership style had evolved over the decades. His perspective as someone who worked with the guitarist until Montrose’s death in 2012 provides valuable context for understanding both the band’s early struggles and the missed opportunities that continue to fascinate rock historians today.
