Loud rock, fast cars, and Cabo. This is the life of Sammy Hagar.
For almost 40 years, Sammy Hagar has been a fixture in rock music. From breaking into the industry with the band Montrose to his multiplatinum solo career to his ride as the front man of Van Halen, Sammy's powerful and unforgettable voice has set the tone for some of the greatest rock anthems ever written - songs like "I Can't Drive 55", "Right Now", and "Why Can't This Be Love".
In Red, Sammy tells the outrageous story of his tear through rock 'n' roll, detailing the backstage antics and nonstop touring that have made his voice instantly recognizable. Beginning with his musical coming-of-age in the blue-collar towns of California, Sammy traces his rough and determined rise to fame, working harder than anyone else out there and writing songs about the things he loved: fast cars, loud parties, and lots of good times.
But solo success was just the start, a prelude to his raucous and notorious decade as the front man for Van Halen, one of the biggest-selling rock groups in history. Filled with behind-the-scenes stories from his time with the band, Red offers the Van Halen story as Sammy saw it, holding nothing back about the worldwide stadium tours, the tensions with Eddie, the messy parties, the divided friendships, and, of course, his controversial and widely disputed exit from the band.
After Van Halen, Sammy changed directions again, throwing himself headfirst into the tequila business and creating Cabo Wabo, one of the most successful tequila brands in the world. And all the while he continued to rock, touring the country with his bands the Waboritas and Chickenfoot, and eventually reuniting with Van Halen for a tour that became both a box-office smash and a personal catastrophe.
©2011 Sammy Hagar (P)2011 HarperCollins Publishers
"a bit bland"
the book tells some intersting stories, and indeed gives insights into the road Sammy lived.
But he holds back. He tells stories about people, including the Van Halen brothers, but there is not one story of Michael Anthony's behavior, drinking, etc. In that sense, it does feel like a censored story in places. At the end he remarks how messed up Ed was - "he was doing something" but never states his opionion on what it was. the inferences was meth, but who knows.
It was enjoyable, but I found "The Dirt" by Motley Crue more revealing and honest. Sammy's book was a rough glimpse.
avoiding road rage one book at a time...
"LOVED it Twice"
I enjoyed this book so much, I listened to it twice. I've never done that before. Scott Shepherd sounds just like Sammy - INCREDIBLE narration. What a life, Sammy! He is the living representation of what a can-do attitude can accomplish.
"New Respect"
What an interesting life-hard work does pay off. New respect for this mans talent and more so for his accute business accumen. Well written...interesting,informative...here is a man blessed with good fortune who had the wherewithall to enjoy it-he appears to enjoy all he has accomplished...and quite frankly-I do not blame him one bit-very satisfying book-thank you Sammy for putting pen to paper!
"Thanks Sammy"
As a Van Halen Fan from the time I was 10 (1984), I was always more of a Van "Hagar" fan. The band broke up in 1985 1 year after I dicovered them and it was off to the races with Sammy Hagar. I had no pre-conceived love or hate fro Dave Or Sam. I was entering into this relationship with the band at a cross-roads. As far as I could tell, this is what bands did. I call it a relationship because as much as I have never met anyone in the band, I have always had a love affair with them, I could always imagine thinking I bet if Sam and I met he and I would be best buds. Alex seems so dark, I wonder if he has a softer side? Could Ed be like a surrogate Dad to me? Is Mike really that wild or is he the voice of reason? After listening to the book I had a lot of questions answered that I could not have anywhere else.
The book gives you an insight as to how Sammy became Sammy, and is Wonderful! I believe that the prologue that was written by Michael Anthony, set the tone for most of the book. Without it I am not sure if I could believe Sammy's words about the era from 1985-1998 without a certain sense of cynicism.
There is a real personal message here from Sam that makes me want to beleive in him and all he does.
If I had one criticism it would be that Sammy, himself, did not narrate it.
Bravo, Sammy
"Learned alot about Sammy bigger fan now!"
I really liked Sammy's all around honesty about his life. I thought he touched on everything in his life. He talked about the good, the bad, the sad, the ugly, the lies, and the honesty. Well balanced moral about his life and through this audiobook I got to see what a positive person and well balanced person he is. I realize that someone isn't always going to come out and say completely bad things about themselves regardless if there is truth to what has been said. People naturally look at the positives that they have done most of the time so maybe the audiobiographies they write will be scewed a little towards positivity towards themselves and accidently leave certain negative things out that have happened in their lives. Great human story told by Sammy to sum it up! And I love Sammy's voice it sounds so good on the narration. Such a neat cool guy coming through in the story! I always liked some of his music. I can't say I was a huge fan of his but now I am. I'm going to check out his other band chickenfoot and look more into Montrose. He's a great artist and has a positive outlook in life. His Karma spreads and one feels his beautiful charisma through the audiobook. He just has a natural presence about him that makes the world a better place if another person is sensitive to those wonderful vibes. One of the best examples he gives about living and he shows in his life is the way he lives just trying to be happier and a better Sammy each day during his life. I was very impressed by his apparent centeredness with his life. His personality comes off in his story just as a cool dude who spreads good will by loving life! May Peace come to Sammy and the joy he brings to others. Peace to all others who read this audio and feel the same way! Beautiful Karma comes up in many places and sometimes ones lack of pushing a religion or philosophy will just permeat who they are and what great things one strives for. Thanks Sammy!!!!
"Loved it!"
He sounded alot like Sammy Hagar and made it just like hearing it from Sammy himself
"classof1982rocker"
The narrator was great!
I thought it was very balanced and somewhat inspiring. Even if it is a little over the top on how many records were sold and and home many arena's were sold out, it is a great story.
He sounded like Sammy telling his own story. His age seemed appropriate and it was like listening to a long one sided conversation.
Yes. I listened in like 15 minute chunks but was forced to stop.
Very entertaining. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is there are no real life lessons just a guys life in Rock!
"Sammy is a cool guy"
Honest rocks short
Yes. His storys and charactor are great.
It was awesome! Coulda been Sammy himself...
Made me laugh a bit
This book was great but a bit too short for a 40 year career imo....
"Nice book, but the singer is overrated."
Yes, the book gives a good idea about the Van Halen Band during Haggard's time there. Eddie was crazy, in a strange autistic way. But he was a genius, with the curse to make all that worked with him small in comparison.
Things happen too fast. He gets into business and becomes a millionaire in a couple of pages. We don't know much about his relationship with his kids.
The narrator was superb. Sometimes I would forget it was not the author speaking, but Scott. Great job.
The book surprised me on how the world changes, how a poor boy can go so far. I don't like his songs, and had never heard about him until Van Halen, and even so I always preferred the Roth phase. But what I didn't know was that he is more a business men than a singer. I would like to understand better how it happened.
Good book, lacks some explanation in some parts, but gives a good idea on how the business work. Fans of Van Halen will enjoy some of the gossip.
"SAMMY is the MAN!"
This is one of my favorites. I have always been a Sammy fan but even more now.
It seemed like sammy was reading it at times
Yes