Rock and roll legend Sammy Hagar recently took to Twitter to share an embarrassing story from his early days in the music industry. The Red Rocker recalled a cringe-worthy moment on stage that he’s never forgotten, and you won’t believe what happened! Before diving into the juicy details, let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit Hagar’s beginnings and his time with Montrose.
Sammy Hagar started his professional music career as a solo artist but soon joined Montrose, founded by guitarist Ronnie Montrose. With Hagar as their lead vocalist, Montrose released their self-titled debut album in 1973, which featured hits like ‘Rock Candy’ and ‘Bad Motor Scooter.’ The band’s unique blend of heavy guitar riffs and Hagar’s powerful voice quickly gained them a solid fan base. Though Hagar’s time with Montrose was short-lived, it was a pivotal period that shaped his career.
Now, back to the crazy story. Hagar reminisced about his first big-time show with Montrose, admitting that nerves got the best of him. In an attempt to channel his inner Rod Stewart, he threw his microphone stand up in the air – and that’s when disaster struck. The stand came crashing down and hit bassist Bill Church right in the head, knocking him to the ground and causing him to bleed.
Here is how the singer recalled the incident:
“What is my first time on a big stage? The first time I was in Montrose, and we did our first show in Winterland. We were opening for somebody. I don’t know; Joe Walsh or Mott the Hoople. I don’t know who we were opening for, but it was my first big-time show. I was so nervous that I took my guitar stand and threw it up in the air like Rod Stewart used to do with my microphone on it, and it came down, and smacked our bass player Bill Church in the head, knocked him to the ground.
Blood was coming in. It knocked him up, and his bass hit in the first freaking song. It was ‘Space Station Number 5’ [singing the song’s melody]. I threw my thing up in the air. Bill Graham is over there. Ronnie keeps playing, and Denny keeps playing. I don’t have my microphone.
Everything fell apart. Bill Church is on the ground. Bill Graham is over there. He [Church] was really bleeding as the mic stand hit him. I couldn’t even sing for the two songs. I swear to you. It was the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to me, and it happened in my first big-time show. Horrible. I’m surprised I’m still here today.”
Despite this rocky start, Sammy Hagar went on to have a stellar career, both as a solo artist and as the lead singer for Van Halen. His story is a testament to the fact that even rock legends have their rookie moments, and sometimes the best way to deal with embarrassment is to laugh it off and keep on rockin’.
So, rock fans around the world, let’s raise a toast to Sammy Hagar for being brave enough to share this hilarious memory with us. May it serve as a reminder that even our favorite rock stars were once nervous newcomers and that perseverance is the key to success. Rock on!
Storytime with Sammy: You won’t want to miss this story about Sammy’s first time on a big stage. @sammysrum #FlashbackFriday pic.twitter.com/xoWmKzOfkT
— Sammy Hagar (@sammyhagar) March 25, 2023
