SAMMY HAGAR: 'Essential Collection' Due In August

July 1, 2004

Hip-O/UMe have set an August 20 release date for Sammy Hagar's "The Essential Red Collection". Described as "the most complete overview of his solo career on record," it features 20 selections, each digitally remastered from the original tapes, spanning 1973 to 1999 with all of Hagar's Top 40 pop hits plus trademark tracks and popular soundtrack contributions — along with two previously unreleased '70s recordings "Call My Name" and "Thinking Of You". Compiled with Hagar's full participation, "The Essential Red Collection" brings together the best of the Red Rocker.

The retrospective kicks off with a track from MONTROSE. Former EDGAR WINTER GROUP guitarist Ronnie Montrose had invited the Southern Californian to join his self-named group in 1972. Hagar recorded two albums with MONTROSE, including its self-titled debut that featured the classic "Bad Motor Scooter", before going solo in 1976. In addition, from his years on Capitol in the 1970s, "The Essential Red Collection" culls "Red" and a rare b-side version, "I've Done Everything For You".

Hagar has enjoyed his greatest solo success to date while on Geffen. His 1981 debut on the label, "Standing Hampton", went platinum and included "I'll Fall In Love Again" and "There's Only One Way To Rock". 1982's "Three Lock Box" went gold and notched his first Top 40 hit — "Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy" (#13). 1984's "VOA" boasted the top-fuel anthem "I Can't Drive 55", which reached the Top 30 and "Two Sides Of Love" which peaked in the Top 40. Heard too are the title tracks to the films "Heavy Metal" (1981) and "Fast Times At Ridgemont High" (1982),"The Girl Gets Around" from the #1-charting "Footloose" (1984) and "Winner Takes It All" from "Over The Top" (1987).

In 1985, Hagar joined VAN HALEN. He released "Sammy Hagar" (a.k.a. "I Never Said Goodbye") in 1987, with "Give To Live", yet another Top 30 charter, and "Eagles Fly". A 1994 solo collection titled "Unboxed" resurrected the previously unreleased "High Hopes". In 1996, Hagar and VAN HALEN, after massive success together, parted ways and the next year Sammy returned to his solo efforts for the first time in 10 years. On MCA's "Marching To Mars", he showcased "Little White Lie" and the title track, and with his backing band THE WABORITAS, 1999's "Red Voodoo" spun off "Mas Tequila".

"The Essential Red Collection" package will be printed on eco-friendly, "living tree" paper.

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