More Good Reading, Sammy Hagar's Red

I recently finished Sammy Hagar’s life tale that he titled, what else but Red of course.  Hearing about the life of the Red Rocker from his own perspective proved to be another great read.  Sammy takes us through it all from his childhood and family life, to his days with the band Montrose, his first solo albums, his first stint with Van Halen, their split, the reunion, life after the second split and everything in between.

I enjoyed every chapter in this book.  The beginning pages of such books that talk about the childhood can sometimes bore me.  Let’s face it; we want to hear the stories about the making of the albums and tales from the road.  But I enjoyed Sammy’s early memoirs too.  From the early beginnings you can start to see Sammy’s strong work ethic that is evident throughout the rest of his book and his entire career. 

Throughout the book you will also learn about Sammy Hagar, the businessman.  I knew he had successful businesses but I didn’t know he was an entrepreneur so early in his career.  There are stories of him attempting such ventures in the mountain bike business, a clothing line and many others, some successful and some not.  I found all these stories entertaining as well. 

But there is no denying the meat of the book contains the rock and roll tales which make up the bulk of it.  As you would expect it isn’t too kind to Eddie Van Halen.  But Sammy appears honest enough giving Eddie his due throughout.  He speaks of Eddie’s charming nature and brilliant musicianship, but also the opposing stories of his outlandish behaviour, controlling nature and alcoholism.  Then of course there is a chapter discussing the tour when he and David Lee Roth went out on the road together, both as solo artists.  Again, not a lot of kind words shared about Roth. 

He doesn’t spare himself either and shares stories of his own debauchery from the road of a rock and roll star.  But all in all Sammy holds it together through good times and bad.  Today he sits on a fortune with successful business ventures and has found new musical happiness with the bands the Wabos and most recently Chickenfoot (new album due out in September).

If you enjoy these rock and roll biographies I highly recommend this one.  Before I read this one I finished Nikki Sixx’s Heroin Diaries.   There are less jaw dropping moments in Red (although there are a few), but I found it to be just as interesting and enjoyable of a read.

Since finishing this book I have already turned to reading Nikki Sixx’s latest book, This is Gonna Hurt, details to follow.