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Neal Schon, Eric Singer and More for Ronnie Montrose Event

03/29/2012
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We have more details about A Concert for Ronnie Montrose, which will be held at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco on Friday, April 27.

All an all-star jam has been announced which will feature Neal Schon from Journey, Steve Smith formerly from Journey, members of Tesla, Eric Martin from Mr. Big, Rickie Philips from Styx, Eric Singer from KISS, Tommy Thayer of KISS and Jimmy DeGrasso from Y & T and Alice Cooper.

The event will also feature the original Montrose lineup performing the first Montrose album, with special guest Joe Satriani on lead guitar joining Sammy Hagar- vocals; Bill Church- bass; and Denny Carmassi- drums.

The original Gamma lineup (Davey Pattison, vocals; Glenn Letsch, bass; Denny Carmassi, drums) will also be on hand, with special guest Marc Bonilla on lead guitar.

Organizers sent over this background: Ronnie Montrose was born in San Francisco and moved with his family to Colorado when he was two, returning back to his native home when he was 19 years old. In 1969, he started a band with Bill Church called Sawbuck, but that project got sidetracked when Ronnie was hired to do studio work with Van Morrison (Tupelo Honey), Boz Scaggs, Edgar Winter, Herbie Hancock, and others. In 1973, he formed his own band, Montrose, who recorded two albums together. The debut Montrose album went platinum and has been called the "first American heavy metal album." In 1979, Ronnie formed Gamma, who recorded four albums. Ronnie continued to record through the 1980s and 1990s, and Gamma put out their fifth album in 2005.

This is from Leighsa Montrose, Ronnie's beloved wife: "Ronnie was the kindest man I had ever met. I am honored that he was my husband and best friend as well. We slept together, we woke each morning together and we shared every meal together. We savored every moment that we had together. I am so proud of him for the man he was, which extended far beyond his musical abilities. I am full of joy to have been a part of his life, and I'm so happy that he was a part of mine. I dearly thank all of you for your friendship and love you shared with him. I know it meant everything to him.
All love, Mrs. Leighsa Montrose"

Sammy Hagar stated, "One of my top priorities this year was a Montrose reunion. Ronnie and I planned to do it in Cabo in October. I am so sad it won't happen, but on April 27th, Joe Satriani, Denny Carmassi, Bill Church and I are going to play the hell out of some Montrose!!!"

A portion of the proceeds from the concert will benefit the Ronnie Montrose Fund for San Francisco Bay Area Musicians through SweetRelief.org.

Guitar Player magazine will be providing a special limited edition, eight page program for the evening's events.

Montrose CDs, DVDs and MP3s

Montrose T-shirts and Posters

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