RONNIE MONTROSE REMEMBERED: ALL-STAR MEMORIAL CONCERT TO TAKE PLACE AT NAMM 2017 6th January 2017
A stellar line-up will salute iconic American guitarist Ronnie Montrose at one of the most talked about shows of NAMM 2017, which takes place on January 18th to 22nd in Anaheim, CA.
This celebratory concert highlighting Ronnie's career will feature his greatest hits from early Montrose, Edgar Winter, Van Morrison, Gamma and more. The event is set for 7:00pm on Saturday, January 21st at The Yost theater in Santa Ana.
The incredible all-star featured performers whose own careers were influenced by the legendary and powerful Montrose sound are listed below. Updates to the performer list are being made daily and a donation from concert proceeds will be made to the charity Sweet Relief, which aids musicians worldwide with medical needs.
Ronnie Montrose was an advocate and donor to the organisation that has helped many with their needs such as housing. A special recognition to a gifted young guitar player will also be presented by Guitar Player magazine. The Rock The Nation award was created for the young guitarists
who exude "a star quality through his or her expression on the instrument". This young prodigy will also perform a song in the show alongside these rock legends honouring Ronnie Montrose.
The event is being organised by former Montrose lead singer Keith St John who was with Montrose for the last thirteen years of his life. The band was on top of the charts in the 1970s when Sammy Hagar was vocalist, with tunes like 'Rock Candy', 'Bad Motor Scooter' and 'Rock The Nation'.
When St John teamed up with Montrose they continued to entertain until right before Ronnie's death, filling clubs and festivals around the world. St John wrote many unreleased tunes with Ronnie, some performed at concerts throughout the years.
It has been almost five years since Ronnie ended his life after a long battle with cancer and St John wants the guitar great's legend to continue.
St John told us: "Ronnie’s contribution to rock music in the early 70s heavily influenced the up and coming American rock guitarists for next two decades more than he probably ever realized or gave himself credit for. I just want to give those who really appreciate Ronnie the chance to get together in a loving concert setting where we can really dig in and enjoy each other through the commonality of his music."
One of the event's featured guitar players, Rock And Roll Hall Of Famer Howard Leese of Heart, says this about Montrose:
"I played with Denny Carmassi for ten years in Heart after he was the drummer for Montrose for four years and Ronnie's band Gamma for three
years, so I felt I knew Ronnie in a big way by our one degree of separation in the industry, and of course, all Denny's stories. The very first time I saw him play was on the Midnight Special TV show back in the early 70s. Ronnie was dripping with sweat and passion and I was totally blown away!
"Ronnie helped light a fire in me and made me want to approach guitar playing with that kind of zeal and expression and I've never forgotten that. I would like to play that same song on January 21st and bring as much thrill and passion to it as he did when I first saw him that night!"
Ronnie Montrose Remembered performers include:
Brad Gillis, Night Ranger
Howard Leese, Heart/Bad Company
Gilby Clarke, Guns N' Roses
Tracii Guns, LA Guns
Keith St John, Montrose
Rudy Sarzo, Whitesnake/Ozzy Osbourne
Roger Earl, Foghat
Frankie Banali, Quiet Riot
James Kottak, Scorpions
Robin McAuley, Survivor/MSG
Danny Seraphine, Chicago
David Ellefson, Megadeth
Paul Shortino, Rough Cutt/Raiding The Rock Vault
Troy Luccketta, Tesla
Brad Lang, Y & T
Scotti Hill, Skid Row
Mitch Perry, Edgar Winter Band
Marq Torien, Bullet Boys
Mona Gnader, Sammy Hagars Wabos
Chuck Wright, Quiet Riot
Robert Mason, Warrant
Sean Mcnabb, Dokken
Jimmy Degrasso, Black Star Riders/Alice Cooper
Mark Bonilla, Keith Emerson Band
Tommy Tutone, Tommy Tutone
and very special guest Bob James, Montrose singer 1975-1977.
Additionally, the show will feature surprise cameos, speakers, never-before-seen video clips and other raw footage, showcasing Ronnies career.