The Rise and Fall of Montrose: From Rising Hard Rock Stars to a Band That Imploded
Montrose: The Rise, Breakthrough, and Implosion of a Hard Rock Pioneer
Ronnie Montrose built a hard‑rock machine that would shape American metal, but internal conflict and a rigid vision caused the band to implode at its peak. This article traces Montrose’s meteoric rise, the creative clash that followed, and the lasting legacy left behind.
Formation and Breakthrough
In late 1960s Denver, Colorado, guitarist Ronnie Montrose distinguished himself as a versatile session player, contributing to Van Morrison’s “Wild Night” on the 1971 album Tupelo Honey, working with Herbie Hancock, and playing on experimental projects with Beaver and Krause. By 1972 he left the Edgar Winter Group, where he had helped craft the hit “Frankenstein,” to form his own band. He recruited bassist Bill Church, drummer Denny Carmassi, and, after meeting a struggling vocalist driving a dump truck, signed Sammy Hagar. Their debut, Montrose, released in October 1973, featured eight hard‑hitting tracks such as “Bad Motor Scooter,” “Space Station Number 5,” and “Rock Candy.” The album’s raw, riff‑based sound, recorded quickly with producer Ted Templeman, earned a cult following on FM radio and eventually reached platinum status in 1986.
Internal Tensions and Collapse
By 1974 Ronnie Montrose grew weary of being pigeonholed as a heavy‑metal guitarist and sought a broader musical palette. Sammy Hagar, meanwhile, wanted to capitalize on the band’s momentum. During the recording of the second album, Paper Money (1975), creative differences intensified. Ronnie’s insistence on control led to a fractured album that included covers like “Underground” and “Connection.” Tensions peaked during a 1974‑75 European tour, where a Belgian review compared Hagar to Robert Plant. In February 1975, while traveling to Paris, Ronnie abruptly fired Hagar in the back of a car, ending the original lineup. Subsequent releases, Warner Bros. Presents Montrose (1975) and Jump on It (1976), featured a more polished, space‑funk sound but failed to recapture the debut’s energy, and the band quietly disbanded in early 1977.
Key Facts
- Ronnie Montrose was a session guitarist on Van Morrison’s Tupelo Honey (1971).
- Montrose’s debut album was released in October 1973 and later achieved platinum status in 1986.
- The band’s lineup included Sammy Hagar (vocals), Bill Church (bass), Denny Carmassi (drums), and Ronnie Montrose (guitar).
- Paper Money (1975) peaked at number 65 on the Billboard 200.
- After the original lineup split, Montrose released two more albums before disbanding in 1977.
FAQs
Q: Why did Ronnie Montrose fire Sammy Hagar?
A: Ronnie felt the band was being pigeonholed as heavy metal and wanted to broaden its sound, while Hagar wanted to maintain the hard‑rock momentum. Creative and personal clashes culminated in Ronnie firing Hagar during a 1975 trip to Paris.
Q: What influence did Montrose have on later rock acts?
A: Montrose’s riff‑based style influenced Eddie Van Halen, who cited the band as a foundational influence, and later bands such as Iron Maiden, who covered “Space Station Number 5” in 1992.
Conclusion
Montrose’s story illustrates how a disciplined, precision‑driven vision can both create a groundbreaking sound and, paradoxically, become the very cage that leads to a band’s downfall. Though short‑lived, the group’s impact on American hard rock and heavy metal endures through the musicians it inspired and the legacy of its pioneering riffs.