Guitarist Ronnie Montrose, one of rock’s great sidemen, whose namesake band Montrose introduced Sammy Hagar to the world, died Saturday. He was 64.
The cause was complications from prostate cancer, his wife and manager, Leighsa Montrose, said.
Mr. Montrose, a San Francisco native, got his first break when he was hired to play guitar on Van Morrison’s 1971 album, “Tupelo Honey.” His career as a sideman continued with Boz Scaggs, Herbie Hancock and the Edgar Winter Group, playing on the hits “Frankenstein” and “Free Ride.”
But his greatest success came with his own band, Montrose, which he formed in 1973. The original lineup featured Hagar on vocals and released two Led Zeppelin inspired albums considered rock classics, “Montrose,” and 1974’s “Paper Money.” The hits “Bad Motor Scooter,” “Rock Candy” and “Space Station No. 5” became FM radio staples.
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http://blog.sfgate.com/culture/2012/03/04/guitarist-ronnie-montrose-dies-at-64/