Red

My Uncensored Life in Rock

By: Sammy Hagar

Narrated by: Scott Shepherd

Length: 7 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

Loud rock, fast cars, and Cabo. This is the life of Sammy Hagar.

For almost 40 years, Sammy Hagar has been a fixture in rock music. From breaking into the industry with the band Montrose to his multiplatinum solo career to his ride as the front man of Van Halen, Sammy's powerful and unforgettable voice has set the tone for some of the greatest rock anthems ever written - songs like "I Can't Drive 55", "Right Now", and "Why Can't This Be Love".

In Red, Sammy tells the outrageous story of his tear through rock 'n' roll, detailing the backstage antics and nonstop touring that have made his voice instantly recognizable. Beginning with his musical coming-of-age in the blue-collar towns of California, Sammy traces his rough and determined rise to fame, working harder than anyone else out there and writing songs about the things he loved: fast cars, loud parties, and lots of good times.

But solo success was just the start, a prelude to his raucous and notorious decade as the front man for Van Halen, one of the biggest-selling rock groups in history. Filled with behind-the-scenes stories from his time with the band, Red offers the Van Halen story as Sammy saw it, holding nothing back about the worldwide stadium tours, the tensions with Eddie, the messy parties, the divided friendships, and, of course, his controversial and widely disputed exit from the band.

After Van Halen, Sammy changed directions again, throwing himself headfirst into the tequila business and creating Cabo Wabo, one of the most successful tequila brands in the world. And all the while he continued to rock, touring the country with his bands the Waboritas and Chickenfoot, and eventually reuniting with Van Halen for a tour that became both a box-office smash and a personal catastrophe.

©2011 Sammy Hagar (P)2011 HarperCollins Publishers

Thanks Sammy

As a Van Halen Fan from the time I was 10 (1984), I was always more of a Van "Hagar" fan. The band broke up in 1985 1 year after I dicovered them and it was off to the races with Sammy Hagar. I had no pre-conceived love or hate fro Dave Or Sam. I was entering into this relationship with the band at a cross-roads. As far as I could tell, this is what bands did. I call it a relationship because as much as I have never met anyone in the band, I have always had a love affair with them, I could always imagine thinking I bet if Sam and I met he and I would be best buds. Alex seems so dark, I wonder if he has a softer side? Could Ed be like a surrogate Dad to me? Is Mike really that wild or is he the voice of reason? After listening to the book I had a lot of questions answered that I could not have anywhere else.

The book gives you an insight as to how Sammy became Sammy, and is Wonderful! I believe that the prologue that was written by Michael Anthony, set the tone for most of the book. Without it I am not sure if I could believe Sammy's words about the era from 1985-1998 without a certain sense of cynicism.

There is a real personal message here from Sam that makes me want to beleive in him and all he does.

If I had one criticism it would be that Sammy, himself, did not narrate it.

Bravo, Sammy

Sammy has had a wild ride

When it comes to Van Halen's music, give me Dave. When it comes to a guy you'd want to hang out with and have some fun, give me Sammy all day everyday! The more I hear about the brothers and the band, it just strikes me as such a waste. The band in it's original version put out great music and redefined what a rock show should look like, it's just too bad they missed most of it. Addictions to drugs, alcohol, groupies and generally living the lowlife really took it's toll on the band and everyone around them. The guys were insane and not really in a good way.

When Sammy hits the VH part of his story it sounds like a dream, but later turns into a nightmare. It's a great story though, told honestly and with a great amount of insight and compassion. Frankly it's a miracle either version survived long enough to make the music they did.

I really enjoyed the Audible version, the reader sounds Sammy-esq at first but a few chapters in, you'd swear it was Sammy himself reading the whole thing. Overall, an entertaining presentation of the book. If you're a Sammy fan or a Van Halen fan or just a fan of music, you're really going to enjoy RED.

great story and performance!

it was awesome! Such great insight into the real life of one of the greatest musicians and rock bands of all time.

Interesting, correction, it’s fascinating.

I’ve always been a rock fan and of course enjoyed Sammy’s music. But I had no idea what was behind the scenes. I found it fascinating, very personal, very human. With all the flaws, failures, mistakes and successes. Quite simply, I loved the book.

A Good Story & Great Listen

Scott Shepherd's narration elevates this story into the extraordinary. Funny, and bust-out Rock & Roll. It's the real deal.

Enjoyed this book very much !

I liked Sammy Hagar hits, Montrose & him in Van Halen but i am not a super fan . But i love his story even more than his music .

Red was awesome 👌

Lots of inside info into Sammy's childhood and rise to fame and fortune. Great stories of the Van Halen adventure and on to his Cabo Wabo investment.
Highly recommended 😁👍

Damn good

An insightful interesting look at one of the greatest Rockers ever.Sammy has always been a favorite of mine and to hear where his life journey has taken him from poverty to where he is now strengthens my beliefs of anything is possible

RED ROCKER

I grew up listening to Sammy and Van Halen .
And to know how things really went on behind closed doors is sad. Love them both and Eddie will be missed.

selfish Sammy

Good book about Sammy. But hearing this book and listen to the whole thing I was like yep this is a good story but there's only one thing I couldn't stand how selfish Sammy is. And everything his first wife went through he acts like oh he did this great kindness for her it's called saying I do for better or worse. But the crap he did to her and his 5-year-old son at that time on Christmas night driving to San Francisco from Big Sur he didn't want to see her or his son so he gets his mistress who's his wife today and we ducked out on her and his kid and went to SFO with that mistress. That's exactly what she was just a mistress at that time she knew he was married but in their minds it's okay to fuck around because my first wife is crazy today we call that mental health issues so shame on Sammy. as far as I'm concerned he didn't give her enough he should have gave at least 50 million with his $120 to $30 million so selfish and self absorb is how I see Sammy now But a good book.