Rock guitarist Ronnie Montrose, who played on recordings from a wide variety of rock artists over a 40-year career, deceased on Saturday at the age of 64 after a long battle with prostate cancer.
A tribute posted on his official website read: "A few months ago we held a surprise party for the 64th anniversary of Ronnie Montrose's. He gave an impromptu speech, and told us that after a long life filled with joy and hardship, he t know one of our love for granted. He died today. He had fought cancer, age and averted long enough. and true to form, he chose his own exit the way he chose his own life. We miss him already, but we are glad to have shared with him while we could. "
Born in San Francisco on November 29, 1947, Montrose picked up the guitar in his late teens and formed his first band, sawhorse, in 1969.
It soon gained a reputation as a reliable sideman fiery guitar hero, starting with his first big gig at age 23 when he was tapped to play legendary Van Morrison's 1971 album, Tupelo Honey. Montrose went on to play with rock acts such as Boz Scaggs and the Edgar Winter Group, including stand-out of these latest hits, "Frankenstein" and "Free Ride". In addition to those two albums by Van Morrison, he recorded songs with Herbie Hancock, Gary Wright, Dan Hartman and the Beau Brummels.
Once he established his name in 1973 Montrose formed a power trio with the then-unknown vocalist Sammy Hagar, who would go on his own solo success and worldwide fame as the second singer of Van Halen. They recoded two major label albums for Hagar took to be a solo act. To this day, Hagar still some of the most beloved songs Montrose's play in his live show, including songs like "Bad Motor Scooter" and "Rock Candy" and "Make It Last."
Montrose was initially diagnosed with cancer in 2007 and took two years to recover from surgery, but hit the road again with his band after that, playing nearly 50 shows last year and continues to record other artists appearing during his second cancer fight.
A tribute posted on his official website read: "A few months ago we held a surprise party for the 64th anniversary of Ronnie Montrose's. He gave an impromptu speech, and told us that after a long life filled with joy and hardship, he t know one of our love for granted. He died today. He had fought cancer, age and averted long enough. and true to form, he chose his own exit the way he chose his own life. We miss him already, but we are glad to have shared with him while we could. "
Born in San Francisco on November 29, 1947, Montrose picked up the guitar in his late teens and formed his first band, sawhorse, in 1969.
It soon gained a reputation as a reliable sideman fiery guitar hero, starting with his first big gig at age 23 when he was tapped to play legendary Van Morrison's 1971 album, Tupelo Honey. Montrose went on to play with rock acts such as Boz Scaggs and the Edgar Winter Group, including stand-out of these latest hits, "Frankenstein" and "Free Ride". In addition to those two albums by Van Morrison, he recorded songs with Herbie Hancock, Gary Wright, Dan Hartman and the Beau Brummels.
Once he established his name in 1973 Montrose formed a power trio with the then-unknown vocalist Sammy Hagar, who would go on his own solo success and worldwide fame as the second singer of Van Halen. They recoded two major label albums for Hagar took to be a solo act. To this day, Hagar still some of the most beloved songs Montrose's play in his live show, including songs like "Bad Motor Scooter" and "Rock Candy" and "Make It Last."
Montrose was initially diagnosed with cancer in 2007 and took two years to recover from surgery, but hit the road again with his band after that, playing nearly 50 shows last year and continues to record other artists appearing during his second cancer fight.
