Is Sammy Hagar a guitarist?

U

UberMetalDood

New member
I thought he was just a singer. I've never seen him with a guitar in his hands. Then I ran across this. I don't want to insult any old Sammy Hagar fans but was he known for playing guitar? Anyone else think this guitar would be perfect without the headstock logo?

http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Ele...bson-USA/Sammy-Hagar-Red-Rocker-Les-Paul.aspx

DV016_Jpg_Large_423587.005_cabernet_red.jpg
 
Re: Is Sammy Hagar a guitarist?

Yes.

I am probably the only person in the St. Louis area who don't really dig him though. I thought he was good in Montrose.
 
Re: Is Sammy Hagar a guitarist?

Yeah, man. Back before VH he did all his own leads. There's actually a cool clip on youtube of "Only One Way To Rock" with he and Ed swapping leads. He's more a sloppy rock player, but that's my bread and butter!
 
Re: Is Sammy Hagar a guitarist?

Jessie's ghost said:
If you catch Van Halen's Live Without a Net video (shot in New Haven, CT in about 1986), he goes through a good portion of the show with some kind of red Rhoads-style guitar, and plays some pretty shreddy licks that surprised me, coming from a "singer guy".
Click to expand...

I found this but I don't think it's the one you're referring to. He's using a Kramer or something. His solo style seems to me pretty much like melodic phrases and a lot of pentatonic trills. Not the greatest but he seems to keep up rhythm playing really well with EVH.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSo-_YarDSE
 
Re: Is Sammy Hagar a guitarist?

He's a competent guitar player although he has been overshadowed by the guitarists he has played with like Ronnie Montrose, Van Halen and Neil Schon. His solo albums feature his playing and he has used supporting guitarists on the road. If you want to get an idea of his playing skills check out his live 1980 album.
 
Re: Is Sammy Hagar a guitarist?

Went to a Chickenfoot concert. Clearly not as good as Joe Satriani, but he held his own with a more-than-competent typical rock solo.
 
Re: Is Sammy Hagar a guitarist?

He's a guitarist more in a James Hetfield sense; very capable but there to support the lead while he sings.
 
Last edited:
Re: Is Sammy Hagar a guitarist?

idsnowdog said:
He's a competent guitar player although he has been overshadowed by the guitarists he has played with like Ronnie Montrose, Van Halen and Neil Schon. His solo albums feature his playing and he has used supporting guitarists on the road. If you want to get an idea of his playing skills check out his live 1980 album.
Click to expand...

99% agreement. Gary Pihl was the 'other' guitarist in his band and certainly the better/lead player.

But Sammy is a total meal deal. He sings, he fronts, he plays lead or rhythm, and can right a heck of a song.

I'm not going out to cop his guitar stylings, but he is one hell of an all-around musician/MVP in the band period.
 
Re: Is Sammy Hagar a guitarist?

I think he would prefer to be known for his songwriting and singing than his guitar playing. His bag is Blue Eyed soul and his influences are derived more from R&B and Soul than Rock or Metal.
 
Re: Is Sammy Hagar a guitarist?

Aceman said:
99% agreement. Gary Pihl was the 'other' guitarist in his band and certainly the better/lead player.
Click to expand...

+1. Gary Pihl was great. Fantastic to out of a LP Junior doubl;e-cut when I saw Hagar in Philly 'way back in the '70s.
 
Re: Is Sammy Hagar a guitarist?

JeffB said:
I wanted to post something a bit nicer, otherwise he might close this thread, John :D
Click to expand...

LOL. Good one. A little out of context, but funny.

Aceman said:
99% agreement. Gary Pihl was the 'other' guitarist in his band and certainly the better/lead player.

But Sammy is a total meal deal. He sings, he fronts, he plays lead or rhythm, and can right a heck of a song.

I'm not going out to cop his guitar stylings, but he is one hell of an all-around musician/MVP in the band period.
Click to expand...

Yeah back in the old days I guess musicians were more well-rounded. Apparently a lot of them could turn around and play bass or drums or fill in wherever.
 
Re: Is Sammy Hagar a guitarist?

on the VH "live without a net" DVD I have, the oppening song "one way to rock" sammy and edward both play guitar and do some duel soloing, its pretty cool. He also plays/sings on one of the later balads (I cant remember which) while edward does the keys
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

cliffenstein
Got myself a NGD! Edwards to Gibson conversion - Double Cut Junior
Replies
4
Views
598
jeremy
jeremy
brentrocks
WR GUITAR CUSTOM SHOP LES PAUL CUSTOM HANDCRAFTED IN CALIFORNIA
Replies
15
Views
650
devastone
devastone
T
A new concept is blowing my mind. (Resonance: unplugged vs plugged tone)
2
Replies
25
Views
3K
Securb
Securb
Jeff_H
Sometimes You Just Have To......(A Story and New Pickup Install From Rewind Electric)
Replies
17
Views
1K
Jeff_H
Jeff_H
S
A guitar story: my 1940 Gibson ES125
Replies
9
Views
1K
metalchurch79
metalchurch79
Back
Top