• Red

  • My Uncensored Life in Rock
  • By: Sammy Hagar
  • Narrated by: Scott Shepherd
  • Length: 7 hrs and 26 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (1,855 ratings)

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Red  By  cover art

Red

By: Sammy Hagar
Narrated by: Scott Shepherd
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Publisher's summary

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

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What listeners say about Red

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • M
  • 03-24-11

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.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

RED ROCKER SCORES ANOTHER #1 HIT

Would you consider the audio edition of Red to be better than the print version?

I'm a slow reader and listening to a book is easier for me so in my opinion the audio version is much better than the print version.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sammy of course, its why I purchased the audiobook. I wanted to hear his story and learn about one of my favorite performers since 1977-78 when I purchased my 1st albums of his called Sammy Hagar All Night Long. I have been a Sammy Hagar fan longer than a Van Halen fan. I have been a huge VH fan and when Sammy was asked to join VH I thought it was the greatest band in the world. Sammy's story of success and fame came to him on his own. He had what all young musicians dream about before he joined VH. Everything he touches turns to gold. Sammy pulled Van Halen's self destructing ruins together and made it the Greatest rock band in the World!! Sammy's wit, brains and smart business sense has taken him from poor kid from the fruit orchards to entrepreneurship to one of the best businessmen of Rock N Roll world. While Van Halen fired him because of jealously and insecure high school mentality alcoholic, drug addicted same old story of rock and roll casualties. Van Halen has done nothing but live off of pre Sammy 1978 memories with "never again" David Lee Roth. Once a guitar guru Eddie Van Halen and his drum banging brother Alex could do no wrong when it came to having the best of both worlds with Sammy are now broke, because of big egos, no hits, divorce(s), drugs, booze and poor business decisions. It's a fascinating story of a young fun loving, car nut who is the best rock singer, songwriting hit maker to an older fun loving, multi businessman car nut with a touch of gold, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, happy family man who is loving life!!

Have you listened to any of Scott Shepherd’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I have not.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A rare account of a ROCK AND ROLL SUCCESS STORY!!

Any additional comments?

Through out Sammy's story he remained grounded. He is the real deal full of talent, generosity, hard working, common sense man that figured out very young how not to work for a living. Do what you love.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

classof1982rocker

What made the experience of listening to Red the most enjoyable?

The narrator was great!

What did you like best about this story?

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.

What about Scott Shepherd’s performance did you like?

He sounded like Sammy telling his own story. His age seemed appropriate and it was like listening to a long one sided conversation.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. I listened in like 15 minute chunks but was forced to stop.

Any additional comments?

Very entertaining. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is there are no real life lessons just a guys life in Rock!

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Book!

Would you listen to Red again? Why?

Yes, because I find Sammy Hagar to be a fascinating guy and I have been a fan of both his solo music and his Van Halen music as well. Also, Sammy and I have similar upbringings mine in San Jose, CA his in So Cal.

What other book might you compare Red to and why?

None

Which scene was your favorite?

I really like the end of the book when Sammy talks about helping others that might think that they cannot make it in this world of ours because they were born under a bad sign. He gives hope and that's cool.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I was absolutely gripped to this book.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Ro
  • 04-22-11

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

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Yuck

I always liked Hagar and Van Halen. And then I listened to this book. Both come across VERY BADLY. I know this is a rock star bio, but Sammy goes a bit over the top with the descriptions of him cheating on his poor wife. It’s kind of gross. Wish I could unhear this one.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Winning?

If you want to listen to a continuous story of winning while consistently lifting himself above others. Then this is your book. Sammy portrays himself as near perfect and when he does make mistakes. It isn't his fault. So much time was spent whining about the van Halens. If it was so bad and he could see things so clearly why would he stay so long?

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

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!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Full of Soul

Thoughtful reflections written beautifully. Succinct stories of his childhood, Montrose, soloist work, Van Halen and marriages. This is the story of a self made man who is truly a good human being. His love of music is what drives him and that comes out loud and clear. On my 18th Birthday, I went to Monsters of Rock in Los Angeles and saw Van Halen and Sammy blow the stage up. He was amazing. So much energy and you feel as though he is truly singing to the audience. I have also seen both Roth and Cherone perform with Van Halen. Neither have the soul, energy or charisma that Sammy does. I guess his soul reflects on stage as it does in his life and this memoir. The last chapter is truly touching. I recommend everyone be a little more like Sammy.

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