Rock Guitarist Ronnie Montrose Dies at 64

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Rock Guitarist Ronnie Montrose Dies at 64



http://loudwire.com/ronnie-montrose-dies-at-64/

Legendary rock guitarist Ronnie Montrose passed away on Saturday, March 3, at the age of 64. The veteran musician founded the band Montrose with Sammy Hagar in the early ’70s. While an exact cause of death has not been announced, the guitarist did battle prostate cancer in recent years.

A post announcing Ronnie Montrose’s passing on his official website reads:

A few months ago, we held a surprise party for Ronnie Montrose’s 64th birthday. He gave an impromptu speech, and told us that after a long life, filled with joy and hardship, he didn’t take any of our love for granted.

He passed today. He’d battled cancer, and staved off old age for long enough. And true to form, he chose his own exit the way he chose his own life. We miss him already, but we’re glad to have shared with him while we could.

[sufrommich]

1. "And true to form, he chose his own exit the way he chose his own life"

Did he kill himself?

[Amerigo Vespucci]

3. Sure sounds like it, doesn't it?

"While an exact cause of death has not been announced, the guitarist did battle prostate cancer in recent years."

That's tragedy on top of tragedy, if it's true.

[NNN0LHI]

2. Boy, this guy really put on some good concerts a few decades ago

They were remarkable.

RIP.

Don

[Motown_Johnny]

4. Is this the 3rd?

Jones
Breitbart
Montrose

[Amerigo Vespucci]

7. I wouldn't put Breitbart in there...I'd say it's the second

Maybe if someone is looking for a third it would be Houston, Jones, Montrose...but not Breitbart.

[Motown_Johnny]

8. I was kinda thinking the same thing

but Whitney was quite a while ago now and we had so many "rule of 3" threads after AB died that I just had to ask.

[thelordofhell]

14. Ralph McQuarrie.....concept artist for Star Wars

[4dsc]

5. RIP Ronnie

[jefferson_dem]

6. Awww... RIP Ronnie.

Remembering unfiltered teenage angst, rocking to "Bad Motor Scooter"...

[Amerigo Vespucci]

9. That ENTIRE first album did the same thing for me...it's my "blow out the aggression" album.

Rolling Stone had a review of three bands whose debut albums had been released at teh same time One was Montrose, one was KISS, and I forget the third. They predicted all three would be huge. They were right about two of them.

It's too bad the Hagar edition of Montrose couldn't keep it together. I've read Sammy's book so I know his version of the story. But there's a very short list of debut albums by American rock & roll bands that were as influential as the first Montrose album...and it still sounds every bit as fresh and menacing as it did 39 years ago.

[ProfessorGAC]

10. +1000

That was a great album. I've taught several students Rock Candy and Bad Motor Scooter. Most never even heard the song. They all loved it when they learned them. Riffs to die for.

[PDittie]

12. The debut album was a seminal part of my youth.

Can't tell you how many of those 8-tracks I went through.

[blm]

11. Voyage on, Ronnie...his Town Without Pity was some of the most beautiful guitar playing

I have ever had the privilege to witness.

[thelordofhell]

13. Rock The Nation!!

[davsand]

15. Aw, man, Ronnie, you will be missed.

Saw the news this morning and had to play Rock Candy at max volume. Can't tell you how many memories I have that are linked to just that one song--let alone that entire album. Most or many of those memories feature muscle cars, 8 tracks, and sweet wine. Montrose was ALWAYS on the play list.

RIP, Ronnie. Your music brought me a lot of joy.




Laura

[Amerigo Vespucci]

16. My ride at the time was a 1970 Chevelle Malibu...with an 8 track deck.

This isn't a photo of my car...mine was yellow with a black vinyl roof and black upholstery...and the first Montrose album, on 8 track, was played to death in that car.

[davsand]

18. The Goat was black.

Did a quarter mile faster than it probably should have. There was a silver and black Nova that we never did manage to beat, and my old buddy Rick maintains to this day it could have been beaten with the right driver on the right night. I had a Camaro that I loved dearly, but it was much better for just cruisin. Rick's got grown kids now, and my own is in high school. A hell of a lot has come and gone in those decades, but my love of rock has never diminished, nor has my love of a fast car.

I hope to hell my kid never does half the shit we did back then. I have optimism for her, however. She came in just now and gave me the business for having my headphones up too loud. I've been wandering down memory lane musically today, and I guess the Nazareth/Montrose/Edgar Winter playlist was just too much for her. She says she's worried about my hearing. I figure if my hearing (and my body!) survived races, clubs, 8 tracks, and various concerts I'm good to go!



Laura

[Iggo]

17. Rock Candy

http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=US#/watch?v=lUeuAnMNDhA