Ronnie Montrose R.I.P.

RONNIE MONTROSE, 64, a rock guitar legend who formed his namesake band in 1973, died Saturday at his home in Millrae, CA, after battling prostrate cancer and “personal demons,” according to his agent Jim Douglas. Montrose performed with a number of well-known artists in his career, including Sammy Hagar, Herbie Hancock, Van Morrison, Boz Scaggs and the Edgar Winter Group. Montrose was working on releasing his first DVD and was about to embark on a spring U.S. tour later this month. Born in Denver, Montrose got his first break when he was invited to play on Van Morrison's 1971 album, Tupelo Honey, before forming Montrose, which consisted of a then-unknown Sammy Hagar on vocals, as well as bassist Bill Church and drummer Denny Carmassi. The quartet released one of rock's all-time great debuts that year, which included standards like "Rock the Nation," "Bad Motor Scooter," "Space Station #5," "Rock Candy" and "Make It Last." Besides his wife, Leighsa, Montrose is survived by a daughter and five grandchildren. Here’s a clip of Ronnie performing “Rock Candy” in Sept. 2011 at the Fox Theatre in Redwood City, CA. (3/5a)