Ronnie Montrose, a rock n’ roll guitarist who played with musicians like Sammy Hagar, Herbie Hancock and Van Morrison, has died. Montrose passed away Saturday after a long battle with prostate cancer. He was 64.
"A few months ago, we held a surprise party for Ronnie Montrose’s 64th birthday. He gave an impromptu speech, and told us that after a long life, filled with joy and hardship, he didn’t take any of our love for granted,” says a statement posted on his official website. “He passed today. He’d battled cancer, and staved off old age for long enough. And true to form, he chose his own exit the way he chose his own life. We miss him already, but we’re glad to have shared with him while we could.”
Montrose got his first big break playing with Van Morrison on Morrison’s 1971 album Tupelo Honey. He then worked with Boz Scaggs and the Edgar Winter Group before forming his own band, Montrose, in 1973 with Sammy Hagar, bassist Bill Church and drummer Denny Carmassi. Their hits include Bad Motor Scooter, Rock Candy and Space Station No. 5. Montrose later formed another band, Gamma, with Davey Pattinson.
###
Click here for more Entertainment News
