Montrose (band)

Prior to forming the band Montrose, guitarist Ronnie Montrose had been a successful session musician, playing (along with future Montrose bassist Bill Church) on Van Morrison's Tupelo Honey album produced by Ted Templeman, and on albums by Beaver & Krause and Herbie Hancock. He was also a member of the Edgar Winter Group, playing on the hit single "Frankenstein" from the best-selling album They Only Come Out at Night (1972). Their debut album, Ted Templeman-produced Montrose, was released on Warner Bros in late 1973. it proved to be an international sleeper hit which over a period of several decades has sold in excess of one million copies, attaining platinum status. The first member to leave the original Montrose lineup was bassist Bill Church, who was replaced by Alan Fitzgerald for the band's second album, Paper Money (1974), also produced by Ted Templeman. Despite its significant stylistic departure from the band's iconic debut, lukewarm response from critics, and mixed reactions from fans, Paper Money initially sold twice as many copies as Montrose. It was the band's highest-charting release, reaching No. 65 on the Billboard 200. This period also netted Montrose their second highest chart position, with Warner Bros Presents reaching No. 79 on the Billboard 200. As the result of a near-fatal amphetamine overdose during his stint with the Edgar Winter Group, Ronnie Montrose observed a strong personal anti-drug/anti-alcohol stance during this period, exemplified by his insistence that all Montrose band members abide by a strict policy of drug and alcohol-free performances. After the departure of vocalist Bob James following the band's performance at Winterland on December 31, 1976, Montrose imploded as a group and Ronnie Montrose resurfaced a year later with the solo instrumental album Open Fire, released in January 1978. During this period the guitarist also worked with jazz-fusion drummer Tony Williams. In 1979, along with Montrose holdovers Jim Alcivar and Alan Fitzgerald, drummer Skip Gillette, and Scottish vocalist Davey Pattison, Ronnie Montrose formed a new group in the progressive hard rock mould named Gamma. The band's debut, Gamma 1 was released in 1979. Their second release, Gamma 2 (1980), saw former Montrose drummer Denny Carmassi replacing Skip Gillette and bassist Glenn Letsch replacing Alan Fitzgerald, who went on to become a founding member (as keyboardist) of Night Ranger. == After Montrose ==

Sammy Hagar went on to build a successful post-Montrose solo career which, during its early phase, featured fellow former Montrose member Bill Church on bass and drummer Billy Carmassi, younger brother of Montrose drummer Denny Carmassi. Hagar had multiple successful albums with hit singles such as "Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy", "I Can't Drive 55", "Heavy Metal" and "There's Only One Way To Rock". In July 1985, Hagar joined Van Halen. In 1987, Ronnie Montrose formed a new lineup of Montrose with singer Johnny Edwards and drummer James Kottak (both from the band Buster Brown), and bassist Glenn Letsch, who had replaced Fitzgerald in Gamma. This lineup of the band released one album, Mean (1987). Kottak would go on to join German hard rock bands Kingdom Come and Scorpions. == Members ==

• Ronnie Montrose – guitar (1973–1977, 1987: Died 2012) • Denny Carmassi – drums (1973–1977) • Sammy Hagar – vocals (1973–1975) • Bill Church – bass (1973–1974) • Alan Fitzgerald – bass (1974–1976) • Bob James – vocals (1975–1977: Died 2021) • Jim Alcivar – keyboards (1975–1977) • Randy Jo Hobbs – bass (1976: Died 1993) • Glenn Letsch – bass (1987) • Johnny Edwards – vocals (1987) • James Kottak – drums (1987: Died 2024) Timeline == Discography ==

Studio albums Compilation albums • The Very Best of Montrose (2000) • An Introduction To: Montrose (2019) Singles • "Rock the Nation" (1973) • "Bad Motor Scooter" (UK, 1974) • "Space Station Number 5" (1974) • "Paper Money" (1974) • "Connection" (1975) • "I Got the Fire" (Japan, 1975) • "Matriarch" (1975) • "Music Man" (1976) • "Jump on it" (Japan, 1976) • "Let's Go" (1977) • "Space Station Number 5" (1980 UK re-release) No. 71 UK{{cite book == See also ==