I just found out today, while browsing YouTube for classic rock, that one of the guitar heroes of my youth, Ronnie Montrose, passed away on March 3rd at age 64 after a long battle with prostate cancer. I guess his death was overshadowed by that of Davey Jones and everything else going on in the news, but I didn't see it mentioned anywhere. His debut self-titled album, Montrose, released in 1973, still stands as my favorite rock album of all time (Lead vocals in the band were supplied by a young unknown singer who later enjoyed success in his own right, Sammy Hagar). Ronnie was an innovator of hard rock guitar who, while never enjoying the commercial success of many of his contemporaries, nonetheless had a marked influence on the evolution of R&R and influenced many players who followed after. He continued to work his entire life, forming new bands and doing studio work with a lot of big name artists.
Thanks for the memories and all the great power chords, Ronnie. Rest easy in the bosom of the Lord, old rocker.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronnie_Montrose
Ronnie Montrose, (November 29, 1947 – March 3, 2012)
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