The California-born Sammy Hagar got his start singing for Montrose in the mid-'70s. By the end of the decade, he was flying solo, until he got a call in 1985 to step into the frontman role in Van Halen, after original vocalist David Lee Roth left the band. With Hagar at the helm, Van Halen became even bigger, racking up three straight No. 1 albums during his tenure. He left the group in 1996 and resumed his solo career. Since 2009, he's fronted Chickenfoot (the second supergroup he's taken part in; in 1984 he formed one with Neal Schon, Kenny Aaronson and Michael Shrieve) with former Van Halen bandmate Michael Anthony, guitarist Joe Satriani and drummer Chad Smith. He now splits his time between them and leading the Waboritas with his solo act.
- Born: Oct. 13, 1947
- Related Artists: Montrose, Van Halen, Chickenfoot
- Selected Discography: ‘Standing Hampton’ (1982), ‘Three Lock Box’ (1982), ‘VOA’ (1984)
- Further Reading: You Think You Know Sammy Hagar?, Top 10 Sammy Hagar Songs of the ’70s, Top 10 Sammy Hagar Songs of the ’80s