The Bay Area music community is coming together to produce "A Concert For Ronnie Montrose - A Celebration of His Life In Music" for legendary San Francisco guitarist Ronnie Montrose, who passed away recently from complications from prostate cancer. It will be held at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco on Friday, April 27. Pre-sale tickets go on sale on March 28-29 and all other tickets will go on sale on March 30.
"A Concert For Ronnie Montrose - A Celebration of His Life In Music" will feature the original Montrose lineup (Sammy Hagar, vocals; Bill Church, bass; and Denny Carmassi, drums), performing the landmark first Montrose album, with special guest Joe Satriani on lead guitar. 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. There will also be an All-Star band, composed of many of the great musicians that Ronnie played with over the years.
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 five albums. Ronnie continued to record through the 1980s and 1990s, and Gamma put out their fifth album in 2005.
"Ronnie was the kindest man I had ever met," said Leighsa Montrose, Ronnie's wife. "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!!!"
Tickets to "A Concert For Ronnie Montrose - A Celebration of His Life In Music" will go on sale on March 23. General admission tickets are $55.00 and VIP Reserved tickets are $125.00.
http://www.theregencyballroom.com/BamMagazine.com is a media sponsor for the "A Concert For Ronnie Montrose - A Celebration of His Life In Music" benefit concert.
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