Originally Posted by
Rikk
From cnn.com
Van Halen singer Sammy Hagar dead at 59
POSTED: 6:14 p.m. EST, March 15, 2010
MILL VALLEY, California (CNN) -- Rocker Sammy Hagar, ex-lead singer of rock band Van Halen, one-time singer of pioneering 1970s rock outfit Montrose and a successful solo artist in his own right, collapsed and died Monday morning at his home in Mill Valley, California. He was 62.
Hagar's personal physician signed his death certificate. "His death was apparently unexpected," police spokesman Jason Lee said. "His physician has reported that he was suffering blood pressure problems but that his health was otherwise seemingly fine."
Hagar's manager, Mick Brigden, told CNN that the singer died of a heart attack.
"Sammy was a true rock star," Brigden said in a personal statement, "with a rich back catalog and millions of fans worldwide. He will be remembered as a dreamer and a renaissance man. I am deeply shocked today."
Hagar was rehearsing this afternoon with the members of his band, Chickenfoot. Hagar's band with guitarist Joe Satriani, ex-Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith sold more than 500,000 copies last year and the band has toured steadily since its release. All three of Hagar's bandmates were in the rehearsal space with him when he collapsed and both Smith and Anthony were seen outside Hagar's home this afternoon.
As of Monday afternoon, his wife was still with her husband in Marin General Hospital near their home.
So far, no comments have been released from the Van Halen camp, though guitarist Ronnie Montrose told CNN that he is "very sad and at a loss for words."
After a brief career as a boxer in the footsteps of his father, Hagar became interested in the burgeoning Southern California music scene, fronting his first band, The Fabulous Catillas.
Hagar's first major success came from his work with the group Montrose on their debut and sophomore albums. After difficulties with the band's founder, Ronnie Montrose, Hagar departed from the group and began a semi-successful solo career.
In 1985, he was asked to join rock icons Van Halen after the departure of the band's original vocalist David Lee Roth. Together, they released five successful albums and several high-charting singles. Their hits included Why Can't This Be Love and Right Now.
Hagar was fired from Van Halen in 1996 and briefly replaced by returning vocalist Roth. The entire incident became a media sensation, ensuring that Hagar's 1997 album Marching to Mars would be greeted with unexpected fanfare. It sold surprisingly well, peaking in the Top 20 and re-establishing Hagar as a viable solo act. With a backing band called the Waboritas in tow, Hagar spent the next ten years touring and releasing albums.
He also owned a nightclub and restaurant in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico called Cabo Wabo. This was also the name he gave to his own brand of tequila, which is widely sold in the United States.
In 2004, he briefly reunited with his Van Halen bandmates for a tour. Though concerts initially sold well, the numbers did not meet expectations and the tour ended with another falling out with the Van Halen camp.
Original vocalist Roth reunited with Van Halen in 2007 for a highly-successful reunion tour with Edward Van Halen's son Wolfgang handling bass duties.
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