Samuel Roy Hagar (born October 13, 1947), better known as Sammy Hagar, is a U.S. rock guitarist, singer, and composer.

After a brief career as a boxer in the footsteps of his father, Sammy became interested in the burgeoing Southern California music scene, fronting his first band The Fabulous Casteals. Hagar's first major success, however, came from his work with the group Montrose on their debut and sophomore albums with including the hit song "Bad Motor Scooter." After difficulties with the band's founder, Ronnie Montrose, during a European tour, Sammy departed from the group with bassist Bill Church and Montrose's drummer in tow.

Hagar commenced a solo recording and touring career to increasing success, enjoying hits such as Red, Heavy Metal, Three Lock Box, and perhaps his best-known song I Can't Drive 55, a gripe against the (now-repealed) federally-imposed speed limit of 55 miles per hour on all U.S. highways.

After departing ways with vocalist David Lee Roth, Eddie and Alex Van Halen, of the band Van Halen, looked to their music contacts for a vocalist who could rise above the shadow created by the flamboyant Roth. Riding upon their previous contact with Hagar from a previous tour, they hired Hagar to fill the opening. With Hagar at the front, Van Halen produced four multi-platinum albums: 5150, OU812, For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, and Balance as well as many number 1 hits. Yet, trouble in paradise ensued after Hagar's dispute with manager Bruce Fairbairn of Balance, and Hagar was fired from the band after a dispute with Edward Van Halen over the forthcoming Best of Volume 1 featuring tracks with Roth.

Determined to prove Eddie Van Halen wrong, Hagar went to produce five new records since departing ways with Van Halen in 1998. After the successful "Heavyweights of Rock" tour co-headlined with David Lee Roth, Hagar started the slow process of making amends with his former Van Halen bandmates, reconstructing the bridges which had burned five years previously. In early 2004, Van Halen with Sammy Hagar was announced to the general public, culminating with a highly anticipated summer tour and a second Best Of album, entitled Best of Both Worlds featuring three new Van Halen tracks fronted by Hagar.

Discography

• Montrose (as a member of Montrose)
• Paper Money (as a member of Montrose)
• Nine on a Ten Scale (Solo until 1985)
• Sammy Hagar
• Musicle Chairs
• All Night Long
• Street Machine
• Danger Zone
• Turn Up the Music
• Red Hot
• Standing Hampton
• Rematch (And More)
• Three Lock Box
• VOA
• Through the Fire (HSAS)
• 5150 (as a member of Van Halen)
• OU812 (as a member of Van Halen)
• I Never Said Goodbye (Produced while with Van Halen, EVH on bass)
• For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (as a member of Van Halen)
• Right Here, Right Now (as a member of Van Halen)
• Unboxed (1994)
• Balance (as a member of Van Halen)
• Best of Volume 1 (as a member of Van Halen)
• Marching to Mars
• Red Voodoo
• Ten 13
• Not 4 Sale
• Live! Hallelujah
• Best of Both Worlds (as a member of Van Halen)

External Links

Official Sammy Hagar Website

Official Van Halen Website