Sammy Hagar Says Montrose Could Have Been An ‘American Led Zeppelin’

Sammy Hagar was the guest on last night's episode of 'That Metal Show,' marking his debut on the hard rock chat show hosted by radio legend Eddie Trunk and comedians Jim Florentine and Don Jamieson. Hagar was his typical candid self during the chat, addressing his book and how it divided his former Van Halen bandmates and the fact that he believes his first band Montrose could have been "the American Led Zeppelin."

When Trunk brought up Montrose and his love for their self-titled debut, released in 1973, Hagar said, "We could have been the American Led Zeppelin, since we had 'it,' but I got fired!" He revealed that whenever he throws his annual birthday bash, artists like Slash and Billy Duffy of the Cult always want to play Montrose classics. That's a testament to the enduring nature of Montrose.

Hagar also addressed his book, 'Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock,' which laid it all out and certainly dissected his time as the singer of Van Halen. Of penning the book, he said, "I didn't do it for money. I wanted to get my story out there, to all the fans who supported me, to show them what I'm made of … but it really divided the Van Halen camp." Hagar admitted that the book put "the final nails in the coffin. We'll probably never get back together, not that I am wishing for that. But I like to keep things open. But I am sure it put a big stone wall up."

Still, the Red Rocker has "zero" hatred towards his former bandmates and he said that he started Chickenfoot because he missed Van Halen and the camaraderie of being in a band and making a racket with others. Hagar, said, "I like when everyone is contributing, fighting within the music. I like to be put on the spot."

The singer also shared a good Alex Van Halen story! He said that this, um, hot event took place before he got in the band but was still a fresh story by the time he arrived on the scene. The drummer is now clean, but really liked to drink hard during his heyday. Apparently, while celebrating his birthday at Benihana, AVH jumped onto the grill!!! It was after the food was cooked, but the grill was still hot. Van Halen had his shoes on, but he dropped his pants and fell on the grill, scarring his back. Ouch! Hagar summed it up, saying, "He was the guy you wanted to go drinking with, but then you want to get away from him at 4 AM."

It was a revealing, candid chat from start to finish, that's for sure.