Montrose was the debut album by Montrose released in 1973. The album marks the recording debut of vocalist Sammy Hagar, who would later achieve international success as a solo artist and member of Van Halen.
Track listing
1. Rock the Nation
2. Bad Motor Scooter
3. Space Station #5
4. I Don’t Want It”
5. Good Rockin’ Tonight
6. Rock Candy
7. One Thing on My Mind
8. Make It Last
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Montrose’s self-titled debut album was produced by Ted Templeman and released on Warner Bros. Records on October 17, 1973
Leader of the Band Photo By: Waring Abbott/Getty Images
After having done session work for various musicians including Van Morrison, Herbie Hancock, and Edgar Winter, Montrose was Ronnie Montrose's first record leading his own band
Original Lineup Photo By: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
For the recording, the band featured Ronnie Montrose on guitar, Denny Carmassi on drums, Bill Church on bass, and a then-unknown Sam Hagar on vocals
Big Muff Fuzzbox Photo By: Michael Putland/Getty Images
Ronnie Montrose chiefly used a Gibson Les Paul, a Fender Bandmaster amp, and a Big Muff fuzzbox by Electro-Harmonix to record the Montrose album
Though the album was not a big seller upon its initial release, peaking at No. 133 on the U.S. Billboard chart, it eventually proved to be an international sleeper hit. Over a period of several decades, it has sold in excess of one million copies, attaining platinum status
In 1974, the album was released in Europe via Germany under the title Rock the Nation. This version featured a track listing which duplicated the U.S. release, but featured a different front sleeve image that replaced the band's photo
Make It Last Photo By: Waring Abbott/Getty Images
The last song on the album, "Make It Last," was covered by Van Halen in their early club days. Recordings of this are available on certain Van Halen bootlegs
