SLASH, ALTER BRIDGE, MEGADETH, TESTAMENT Members React To RONNIE MONTROSE's Passing

Several rock and metal musicians have reponded to the news that legendary guitarist Ronnie Montrose died after a five-year battle with prostate cancer.

Montrose passed away yesterday (Saturday, March 3) at the age of 64.

Myles Kennedy (ALTER BRIDGE, SLASH): "Sad to hear Ronnie Montrose passed away. 'Rock Candy' was one of the first songs I ever learned."

Slash (VELVET REVOLVER, GUNS N' ROSES): "Myles just told me Ronnie Montrose passed. Fn' shame. 'Montrose' is one of the all-time great [rock and roll] albums. Major influence. RIP, man."

David Ellefson (MEGADETH): "RIP Ronnie Montrose!!! So sad to hear of this today. I had the pleasure of playing bass for him circa 2005-07. Such a powerhouse human being and ferocious guitarist. I learned a lot from him! God's peace."

Alex Skolnick (TESTAMENT): "RIP Ronnie Montrose. Though often overlooked, still a towering figure of Bay Area hard rock. First MONTROSE album = essential."

Dee Snider (TWISTED SISTER): "Just found out that the legendary Ronnie Montrose died. That first MONTROSE album was life-changing for me."

Chris Jericho (FOZZY): "Sorry to hear about passing of Ronnie Montrose! Met him at Dean Markley [booth at] NAMM [show in Anaheim, California] last year and exchanged a few emails. Nice guy!"

KISS: "Ronnie Montrose, a great guitarist and friend of the band has lost his battle with cancer and has sadly passed away. His first band album, 'Montrose', remains a classic and his influence can be heard in numerous contemporary guitarists. We will miss him and send our condolences to his family."

Bruce Kulick (KISS, GRAND FUNK RAILROAD): "Unfortunately, we lost another great one over the weekend, legendary guitarist Ronnie Montrose. I was fortunate to meet and jam with him at a Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy Camp back in May of last year. R.I.P."

SCORPIONS: "Even though we‘ve never met Ronnie Montrose, we like to pay respect to a great artist who passed on way too early. His music lives on forever."

James Kottak (SCORPIONS, KOTTAK); "I am deeply saddened by the passing of my rock and roll hero Ronnie Montrose. He was a HUGE inspiration to me and millions of others. I will always be grateful for him giving me my first 'big break' doing the MONTROSE 'Mean' album. I am proud to be part of his musical legacy. 'Rock the nation' forever, Ronnie!"

Roger Earl (FOGHAT): "It is so sad to hear about Ronnie Montrose. We did lots of dates back in the '70s and just played with him last year. Ronnie was a brilliant guitar player and a great innovator. He was a friend and will be missed. Our hearts are with his family tonight. Rest in peace, Ronnie."

FORBIDDEN: "The world lost one of the great guitar icons of all time yesterday. RIP, Ronnie Montrose. You will always be remembered!"

Michael Sweet (STRYPER): "God bless Ronnie Montrose and his family. His music was a big influence of mine and so many others. You will be missed, Ronnie."

Billy Sheehan (MR. BIG): "Rest in peace, Ronnie Montrose. First MONTROSE record — one of the greatest rock records ever made."

Matt Sorum (VELVET REVOLVER, GUNS N' ROSES, THE CULT): "Lost the great Ronnie Montrose. Check out the first couple of MONTROSE records if you don't know him. Classic and great. RIP Ronnie."

NONPOINT: "Another legend gone, Rest in peace, Ronnie Montrose."

Gus G. (FIREWIND, OZZY OSBOURNE): "R.I.P. Ronnie Montrose."

Glenn Hughes (BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, BLACK SABBATH, DEEP PURPLE): "Just heard that my good friend Ronnie Montrose has passed away. I'm speechless. RIP, my brother...you will be missed at the Hughes'."

HEATHEN: "We are terribly saddened by the death of Ronnie Montrose. He produced the 1987 debut of HEATHEN's 'Breaking The Silence'. He was greatly respected by us as an artist and a friend. R.I.P Ronnie. You will never be forgotten."

TESLA: "We all loved him."

Kip Winger (WINGER): "I had the pleasure of working with Ronnie not too long ago. He was a real gem, very giving and very talented. A great loss to the world. RIP, Ronnie."

Eddie Trunk (VH1 Classic "That Metal Show" co-host): "Woke to very sad news Ronnie Montrose has passed away from cancer at 64. He created one of the all-time landmark hard rock albums with debut LP… [I] also liked GAMMA, but nothing touches the debut album, a masterpiece that influenced SO many rock and metal bands! RIP, Ronnie Montrose."