2008 Sammy Hagar

Sammy Hagar grew up in California and spent several years playing guitar and singing in bar bands during the 1960's. He eventually met guitarist Ronnie Montrose who was impressed with his strong vocals and songwriting skills and invited him to join his band. The band, which was called Montrose, released its self-titled debut album, which even though it only reached 133 on the charts, it eventually went platinum. The band's follow up album, Paper Money, reached 65 on the charts and was well received by critics, however the Montrose/Hagar relationship saw conflict and in 1975 Hagar left the band.

Hagar signed with Capitol Records and recorded his solo debut, 'Nine On A Ten Scale' and soon assembled his first full-time back-up band. With Bill Church on bass, Alan Fitzgerald on the keyboards, Dennis Carmasi playing drums and guitarist David Lewark, the group soon became a well-known force in the rock scene. As Hagar's popularity began to rise he began to record his self-titled second album in England. Throughout the late 1970's, Hagar released a multitude of albums, which included 'All Night Long', in 1978, and 'Street Machine' in 1979. In 1980, a UK only compilation called 'Loud and Clear' was released. Later that same year, a second album, called 'Danger Zone', was released.

Hagar signed to Geffen Records in 1981 and experienced a surge of successful albums, including 'Standing Hampton' in 1982, which went platinum and 'Three Lock Box' in 1983. The following year Hagar decided to take some time off from being a solo artist and began to tour with a group called HSAS. Their album, 'Through the Fire', reached the number 42 spot on the U.S. charts and in the same year Hagar released his platinum selling, 'Voice of America'.

Rock history was made in 1985 when Hagar announced he would be replacing David Lee Roth as front man for Van Halen. The first album Van Halen did with Hagar was '5150' in 1986, and it entered the charts at number one. The collaboration of Van Halen and Hagar worked so perfectly that he stayed with the band for a number of years. Throughout their time together they released a string of hit albums including, 'OU812' in '88, 1991's 'For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge', 'Right Here Right Now' in 1993 and 'Balance' the following year.

Hagar and Van Halen parted ways in 1996 and a year later he came back with his first solo project on ten years, 'Marching To Mars' and followed two years later with 'Red Voodoo'. It was around that same time Hagar moved to Cabo San Lucas in Mexico to open a club and he began successfully marketing and distributing his own brand of tequila. In 2000 Hagar switched to the Beyond record label and released his album 'Ten 13'.