On October 6th, Steve Perry got a text from his recording engineer that read, “Oh man, Eddie Van Halen. I can’t believe it.” The former Journey frontman had no idea what he was talking about. “I don’t watch the news anymore,” he says. “And so I picked up the phone and said, ‘What’s going on?'” When he heard the tragic news that the guitarist died after a long battle with cancer, Perry’s mind instantly went back to 1978 when Van Halen opened for Journey for eight weeks on the Infinity tour.
- 10/19/2020
- by Andy Greene
- Rollingstone.com
San Francisco (AP) — The death of rock guitarist Ronnie Montrose, who formed an eponymous band in the 1970s and played with heavy hitters such as Van Morrison and Herbie Hancock, has been ruled a suicide. The San Francisco Chronicle reports the San Mateo County coroner has concluded that Montrose took his own life last month at his home in Millbrae, Calif. His widow, Leighsa Montrose, tells the newspaper that her 64-year-old husband was tormented by clinical depression for much of his life. She says he suffered from severe self-doubt that caused him to harshly evaluate his performances, even on nights...
- 4/11/2012
- by AP Staff
- Hitfix
Rock guitar legend Ronnie Montrose passed away back in early March. Now in cooperation with his family and widow, longtime family friend Michael Molenda has written a piece for Guitar Player talking about Montrose's passing, which has been ruled a suicide. The piece was written in anticipation of the coroner's report being released.
Molenda writes:
"It wasn't prostate cancer that killed guitar legend Ronnie Montrose. He beat that gremlin into the dirt, as he did so many obstacles to his career and musical expression. But Montrose, who was immensely proud of being a 'survivor,' simply couldn't vanquish the clinical depression that plagued him since he was a toddler.
On March 3, 2012, he sought inner peace by taking his own life. A report by the San Mateo County Coroner's Office, released on April 6, confirms the guitarist died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound."
And Montrose's family has released a statement:
"By now,...
Molenda writes:
"It wasn't prostate cancer that killed guitar legend Ronnie Montrose. He beat that gremlin into the dirt, as he did so many obstacles to his career and musical expression. But Montrose, who was immensely proud of being a 'survivor,' simply couldn't vanquish the clinical depression that plagued him since he was a toddler.
On March 3, 2012, he sought inner peace by taking his own life. A report by the San Mateo County Coroner's Office, released on April 6, confirms the guitarist died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound."
And Montrose's family has released a statement:
"By now,...
- 4/11/2012
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
Legendary guitarist Ronnie Montrose did indeed commit suicide last month. According to the San Mateo County Coroner, the musician, who most famously fronted an eponymous group in the 1970s that featured Sammy Hagar on vocals, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was 64 at the time of his passing on March 4. "By now, the devastating truth of Ronnie's death is public knowledge," reads a statement posted on Montrose's website by his family. "We hope you can understand why we wanted to keep this news a private family matter for as long as possible. We can only hope that you will choose to celebrate Ronnie's life, and what his music meant to you, rather than his passing. Ronnie...
- 4/11/2012
- E! Online
Ronnie Montrose died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, an autopsy has shown. The report from the San Mateo County Coroner ruled that the guitarist's death was a suicide. It had previously been assumed that Montrose had died from prostate cancer, after battling the disease for several years. Montrose in fact also struggled with clinical depression from a young age. The toxicology report showed a blood-alcohol level of 0.31%, nearly four times California's legal limit, but no other drugs were found in his system. The musician's wife and manager Leighsa told Guitar Player that her husband had confessed his plans in a series of text messages shortly before he ended his life. "I (more)...
- 4/11/2012
- by By Mayer Nissim
- Digital Spy
San Francisco — The death of rock guitarist Ronnie Montrose, who formed an eponymous band in the 1970s and played with heavy hitters such as Van Morrison and Herbie Hancock, has been ruled a suicide.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports ( ) the San Mateo County coroner has concluded that Montrose took his own life last month at his home in Millbrae, Calif. http://bit.ly/Hqcl67
His widow, Leighsa Montrose, tells the newspaper that her 64-year-old husband was tormented by clinical depression for much of his life. She says he suffered from severe self-doubt that caused him to harshly evaluate his performances, even on nights audiences gave him multiple standing ovations.
Leighsa Montrose says her husband left no suicide note. She says she was bewildered by his decision to take his life, especially since he spent two years being successfully treated for prostate cancer.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports ( ) the San Mateo County coroner has concluded that Montrose took his own life last month at his home in Millbrae, Calif. http://bit.ly/Hqcl67
His widow, Leighsa Montrose, tells the newspaper that her 64-year-old husband was tormented by clinical depression for much of his life. She says he suffered from severe self-doubt that caused him to harshly evaluate his performances, even on nights audiences gave him multiple standing ovations.
Leighsa Montrose says her husband left no suicide note. She says she was bewildered by his decision to take his life, especially since he spent two years being successfully treated for prostate cancer.
- 4/11/2012
- by AP
- Huffington Post
We're back with the latest installment of Radio 66.6! This week features news, music, videos, tour dates and more from the likes of Motorhead, Cannibal Corpse, Escape the Fate, Gwar, Every Time I Die, Rob Zombie, Fear Factory, Napalm Death and more. Don't touch that dial!
News
Legendary guitarist Ronnie Montrose died this past Saturday, March 3rd, at age 64 of prostate cancer. Our condolences to Ronnie's friends and family.
King's X drummer Jerry Gaskill recently suffered a heart attack. He underwent emergency surgery and remains on a ventilator, but he is slowly recovering. We hope he is back to 100% soon.
Gwar are working on new material. There is no release date scheduled, but be prepared!
Close Your Eyes vocalist vocalist Shane Raymond has left the band due to the rigorous touring life. The hardcore/punk band's statement can be read here.
Decoder have changed their name to Lead Hands. The change...
News
Legendary guitarist Ronnie Montrose died this past Saturday, March 3rd, at age 64 of prostate cancer. Our condolences to Ronnie's friends and family.
King's X drummer Jerry Gaskill recently suffered a heart attack. He underwent emergency surgery and remains on a ventilator, but he is slowly recovering. We hope he is back to 100% soon.
Gwar are working on new material. There is no release date scheduled, but be prepared!
Close Your Eyes vocalist vocalist Shane Raymond has left the band due to the rigorous touring life. The hardcore/punk band's statement can be read here.
Decoder have changed their name to Lead Hands. The change...
- 3/5/2012
- by Alex DiVincenzo
- DreadCentral.com
Musician Ronnie Montrose has died at the age of 64. The rock guitarist, who led the band Montrose and also played alongside the likes of Van Morrison, Sammy Hagar and Herbie Hancock, passed away at his California home on Saturday. A statement on his official website read: "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." It continued: "He passed today. He'd battled cancer, and staved off old age for long enough. And (more)...
- 3/5/2012
- by By Mayer Nissim
- Digital Spy
Rock guitar legend Ronnie Montrose, who played with the likes of Van Morrison, Sammy Hagar and Boz Scaggs, died Saturday (March 3). He was 64.
Montrose had an impressive start to his professional music career. When he was just 24, he played on Morrison's fabled 1971 album "Tupelo Honey." He followed that up by working with The Edgar Winter Group, playing on such songs as "Frankenstein" and "Free Ride."
Montrose then stepped out to form his own group in 1973. It was here that he helped launch the career of lead singer Hagar. While the two collaborated, they produced such rock classics as "Rock Candy" and "Bad Motor Scooter."
A statement on Montrose's website reads, "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.
Montrose had an impressive start to his professional music career. When he was just 24, he played on Morrison's fabled 1971 album "Tupelo Honey." He followed that up by working with The Edgar Winter Group, playing on such songs as "Frankenstein" and "Free Ride."
Montrose then stepped out to form his own group in 1973. It was here that he helped launch the career of lead singer Hagar. While the two collaborated, they produced such rock classics as "Rock Candy" and "Bad Motor Scooter."
A statement on Montrose's website reads, "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.
- 3/5/2012
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
Montrose, 64, played with Sammy Hagar, Van Morrison.
By Gil Kaufman
Ronnie Montrose
Photo: FilmMagic
Rock guitarist Ronnie Montrose, who played on recordings from a wide variety of rock artists over a 40-year career, died on Saturday at age 64 after a long battle with prostate cancer.
A tribute posted on his official website read, "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. 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."
Born in San Francisco on November 29, 1947, Montrose picked up the...
By Gil Kaufman
Ronnie Montrose
Photo: FilmMagic
Rock guitarist Ronnie Montrose, who played on recordings from a wide variety of rock artists over a 40-year career, died on Saturday at age 64 after a long battle with prostate cancer.
A tribute posted on his official website read, "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. 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."
Born in San Francisco on November 29, 1947, Montrose picked up the...
- 3/5/2012
- MTV Music News
San Francisco (AP) — Rock guitarist Ronnie Montrose, who formed the band that bore his name and performed with some of rock's heavy hitters, has died. His booking agent, Jim Douglas, says Montrose died Saturday at his home in Millbrae, Calif. He was 64. Douglas says Montrose had been in declining health for some time, battling prostate cancer and what Douglas termed "personal demons." In addition to forming his own band in 1973, Montrose performed with a number of rockers, including Sammy Hagar, Herbie Hancock, Van Morrison, Boz Scaggs and the Edgar Winter Group. Douglas says Montrose was working on releasing...
- 3/5/2012
- by AP Staff
- Hitfix
Guitarist Ronnie Montrose has died. He was 64. The hard-rocking bandleader most famously fronted an eponymous group in the 1970s that featured future Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar on vocals, and the group pounded out rock hits such as "Bad Motor Scooter," "Rock Candy" and "Rock the Nation." Montrose also appeared on Van Morrison's Tupelo Honey and St. Dominic's Preview albums and Edgar Winter Group's They Only Come Out at Night, as well as doing session work with Boz Scaggs, Herbie Hancock and more. More: Remembering the Monkee's Davy Jones According to a posting on Montrose's website, Montrose had cancer. "He passed today. He'd battled...
- 3/5/2012
- E! Online
Rock guitarist Ronnie Montrose, who formed the band Montrose and performed with some of rock's icons, has died, his booking agent said Sunday. The Associated Press reports that Montrose died Saturday at his home in Millbrae, agent Jim Douglas said. He was 64. The rocker was battling prostate cancer and "personal demons," Douglas said. Montrose performed with Sammy Hagar, Herbie Hancock, Van Morrison, Boz Scaggs and the Edgar Winter Group and formed his band Montrose in 1973. "The guy was such a legendary figure for so many people," Douglas said to the AP. "He influenced so many bands." Montrose reportedly was working on releasing his first DVD and was about to embark on a spring tour later this month...
- 3/5/2012
- by April MacIntyre
- Monsters and Critics
Rock guitarist Ronnie Montrose, who formed the band that bore his name and performed with some of rock's heavy hitters, has died, his booking agent said Sunday. Montrose died Saturday at his home in Millbrae, agent Jim Douglas said. He was 64. Photos: Hollywood's Notable Deaths of 2012 Montrose had been in declining health for some time, battling prostate cancer and "personal demons," Douglas said. Besides forming his own band in 1973, Montrose performed with a number of rockers, including Sammy Hagar, Herbie Hancock, Van Morrison, Boz Scaggs and the Edgar Winter Group. "The guy was such a legendary
read more...
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- 3/5/2012
- by AP
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
San Francisco -- Rock guitarist Ronnie Montrose, who formed the band that bore his name and performed with some of rock's heavy hitters, has died.
His booking agent, Jim Douglas, says Montrose died Saturday at his home in Millbrae, Calif. He was 64.
Douglas says Montrose had been in declining health for some time, battling prostate cancer and what Douglas termed "personal demons."
In addition to forming his own band in 1973, Montrose performed with a number of rockers, including Sammy Hagar, Herbie Hancock, Van Morrison, Boz Scaggs and the Edgar Winter Group. Douglas says Montrose was working on releasing a DVD and starting a tour that would have taken him across the U.S.
Montrose is survived by his wife, Leighsa, as well as a son, a daughter and five grandchildren.
His booking agent, Jim Douglas, says Montrose died Saturday at his home in Millbrae, Calif. He was 64.
Douglas says Montrose had been in declining health for some time, battling prostate cancer and what Douglas termed "personal demons."
In addition to forming his own band in 1973, Montrose performed with a number of rockers, including Sammy Hagar, Herbie Hancock, Van Morrison, Boz Scaggs and the Edgar Winter Group. Douglas says Montrose was working on releasing a DVD and starting a tour that would have taken him across the U.S.
Montrose is survived by his wife, Leighsa, as well as a son, a daughter and five grandchildren.
- 3/4/2012
- by AP
- Huffington Post
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