Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock

Written by Sammy Hagar

Narrated by Scott Shepherd

Sammy Hagar—legendary lead singer of Van Halen, founder of the Cabo Wabo Tequila brand, and one of rock music’s most notoriously successful performers—tells his unforgettable story in this one-of-a-kind autobiography of a life at the top of the charts. From his decade-long journey alongside Eddie Van Halen to his raucous solo career with Chickenfoot and everything in between—the drugs, groupies, and excesses of fame, the outrageous stadium tours, and the thrill of musical innovation—Hagar reveals all in this treasure trove of rock-and-roll war stories. Red is a life-changing look at one of music’s biggest talents—an essential read for music fans and anyone dreaming of becoming rock’s next number one star.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Mar 15, 2011
• ISBN: 9780062027405

Sammy Hagar

Sammy Hagar is the multiplatinum Red Rocker, the outgoing, bombastic front man of hard rock champions Van Halen, currently embarked on his fourth platinum career with his supergroup, Chickenfoot. In addition to his legendary status among rock stars, he is the masterful entrepreneur behind Cabo Wabo tequila. When he's not on the road, he splits his time among California, Hawaii, and Mexico.

Reviews for Red

[Layton Barnard · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love listening to rock autobiographies, and this is the best I’ve ever heard. So good, I didn’t want it to end. I was so surprised to learn. Sammy was more than just rock ‘n’ roll. What an incredible person in an incredible life. Can’t wait for the second chapter!

[steve smith · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent, holds nothing back, tells it like it is, awesome.

[Keith Canisius Baerken · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book..great reader. He sounds a little likr Sammy Hagar.

[r · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

He didn’t get messed up on drugs or alcohol, which is something to be proud of, but he doesn’t seem proud. He seems prouder of hanging out with people who did. He seems to have some sensitivity and respect for his wife, and to apologize for that, he makes sure to gloat about cheating on her. He goes so far out of his way to seem “cool” and “apathetic” when at his age, one would assume he would be secure enough to be proud that he was one of the few sober ones. That he could be a very decent husband, and very compassionate. He talks about women as if they are just some disgusting drug, or like a Big Mac. As if they don’t have the same depth of feeling, the same hopes and dreams, (which will be twice as hard for them to achieve due to such imbedded subhuman attitudes they had no part in creating )as he did. The only person who offered consistency and trust building in his childhood was the mother with 4 children, who somehow saved enough money, while being relentlessly beaten by her husband, to move the kids out; the same woman who got a job, went to school, and bettered herself while being responsible for 4 children, no less, and who offered to buy him his first guitar after he showed her he could play a song that she requested. She honored the contract. None of this seems to mean a thing to this dope, as he saves all his compliments for his drunken, abusive, irresponsible father who he calls a “badass”. He seems like the kind of person who stands for nothing, doesn’t invest in anyone because at heart he is a total coward. What a piece of shit this guy is.

[Greg G · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book and a fantastic interpretation! Would definitely recommend whether you are a Sammy, Van Halen fan or not.

[John Kennedy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing…so good beyond what I anticipated! What a stand up guy!

[Mary · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Sammy is an incredibly smart guy and seems to have a lot of integrity. This book is great.

[Junk Jackson · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

When I was a kid, I was 100% a "Dave guy". As I've gotten older, I've learned to appreciate Sammy. He's solid and this book is much the same: solid. I like that he was willing to admit some of his wrongdoing instead of just blaming everyone around him (Dave Mustaine should've taken notes before writing his autobiography).

Plenty of cool tales, just enough "dirt", and a lot of good times.

[kiahuna · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I've been a fan of Sammy since he left Montrose and knew a lot of his history. This was informative and entertaining, with a lot of behind the scenes drama I wasn't aware of. He is truly a survivor in a chaotic musical world - doing things his way.

[Allen A Walton · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Brilliant biography of a brilliant musician .

Loved the sections about his experience with Van Halen especially.

[mindatlarge · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

One of the more interesting rock autobiographies I've read. What a life dude has led.

[tobinelliott · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As rock star biographies go, gotta say I think this one was better than most, simply because Hagar's voice shone through the narrative. When he's talking about ignoring someone, he "shined them on". When he was burned out, he was "crispy around the edges". Things like that. That was fun. It was like being in the room with the guy.

And overall, it really was like listening to a guy who's maybe twisted up some of the stories, or forgotten and simply rewritten them. Despite Michael Anthony's foreword, I don't think you can take everything as gospel. Anthony says Hagar's honest. "If he said it happened, it happened." Yeah well, probably, but not definitely.

I say this because Hagar peppers the story with all-encompassing, sweeping statements. He ends a chapter early in the book, as he's building his music career, by stating, "I never worked another day in my life." Of course, you expect to read the next chapter and find him growing his music career. Instead, he talks of driving a truck for $10 a day. Sorry, dude, you worked.

Sammy also states that he never did drugs. Yet, a few chapters on, he's talking about sitting in the back of a limo with Eddie Van Halen, drinking and doing bumps of coke. In fact, there's several times when he mentions the coke. Was it an addiction? Doubt it. But yeah, Sammy, you did drugs.

Finally, he (and Michael Anthony before him) state he's an honest person. He likely is, for the most part, but the fact that he was humping anything with lady parts throughout his marriage, and then flat-out admitting that he had to not only lie to his first wife about that and, out of necessity, lie to those around her, he's not quite as honest as he says.

The major shocker for me--and, yes, I admit, a disappointment--was to find out this guy that's successfully in charge of several booming businesses is a flake. Aliens, psychics, premonitions...they all factor heavily into his world view. That's fine, but when he talks about being a math genius, then goes right into how numerology is a big factor in his life...yeah, he's definitely letting his flake flag fly.

And hey, good for Sammy. It's obviously worked and it absolutely does nothing to detract from the fact that he's a hell of a musician and business man and, even at an age when most rock stars are packing it in or have been dead for decades, he's still kicking ass on and off the stage. So, I may think he's a flake, but a lot of people know his name and no one knows mine, so who's doing better at the game?

A fun bio, overall.

[chrisod_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sammy's life follows the standard trajectory for a rock star. He grew up poor with an abusive parent, barely finished high school, got the lucky break, and rode that break to a life of fame and riches. One thing about Sammy that seems different than most rock stars is that he seems to be more intelligent. He diversified early on, and today makes way more money from his various businesses than he does from music. Although he certainly did his share of drugs the way he presents it they never controlled him, and given the lack of rehab and the fact that he has maintained his career I'll give him the benefit of the doubt on that. Some of his stories from the late 60s and early 70s do sound like he is mixing up real memories and acid trips though. The chapters on his time in Van Halen are great. It would be interesting to hear Eddie's version of that time, but if Sammy's account is even half-true it's doubtful that Eddie remembers any of it.

Fun book, and definitely recommended if you are a fan of his music.

[exfed_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A solid biography of a rocker, but not a great one. In many ways, its a story that's been told time and again. Humble beginnings, the lucky break, conflict within the band leading to breakup, and of course -- plenty of booze, drugs and sex. What's different about Sammy Hagar is that he's been a good business man (sprinkler systems, mountain bikes, tequila, and nightclub/restaurants) and (if you believe him) he kept his drug use somewhat toned down. His self aggrandizement got a little old, but hey -- its his story to tell.

[cbilbo-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love The Red Rocker, Sammy! I had no blue he lived such a rough childhood. But then that makes for great music! Plus an even better book!

Sammy Hagar lived a rough life. Alcoholic and abusive father. A mom who tried to shelter him. Grandparents he loved. Then came the guitar and music.

He struggled with being poor. Actually poor is an understatement. He always knew he had it in him to be a musician. Just getting #1 was no cake walk.

With his own band he had to find his signature sound. Then came a chance of a lifetime. Van Halen. Fronting them was good and bad. He had to play babysitter, manage his career, keep his marriage and rock like a God.

I was impressed with how he has overcame adversities. He should go down in history as one of the greatest, best voices singers of all time. Great book!

[lorettar-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I have always loved Sammy and his music and now after reading this book I love him even more and the Van Halen brothers...well I knew they were messed up, but wow they took it to the extreme. By reading Red I discovered a lot of things I did not know about Sammy. A very honest bio of his life, he told the good and the bad. I think he is an awesome artist that has stood the test of time and continues to bring us new and fantastic music. He is down to earth and a all around great guy. I have never had the chance to see him live until now! He is bringing his "Four Decades of Rock" tour to my area this summer and I bought my tickets today. I know it will be amazing to see him live! This "Redhead" can't wait to rock with Sammy!

[lori33 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this book, Sammy Hagar rose to fame doing what he loves and not taking short cuts. He was an honest player in Van Halen and deserves the credit for most of the work.

[themadturtle · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

RED offers a great insight into one of the greatest rock artists of the past four decades. Sammy is honest and open about his past, his rise to fame as the Red Rocker and his joining and leaving VanHalen - arguably the most controversial part of the book. He also goes into detail about other aspects of his life making this a real autobiography and not just a book about the bands that he's been a part of. I'm a big fan of Sammy's music - especially Sammy and the Wabos. This book confirmed my suspicion that their music was the genuine feel-good jams that I perceived them to be. Keep rockin' Sammy!

[starkravingmad_1 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Published comtemporaneuously with "Life" (by Keith Richards), and with several mentions to him, this book falls well short by comparison. Very little self revelation and well ocverdone on the mudslinging at the Van Halen brothers. Maybe the deserve it, but always helpful to have some introspection.  Worse forgettable line - "I could be a billionaire". If it were only that easy.

[undermyappletree · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I listened to the audio version of the book and was impressed with the narration. It was written in a casual tone and listening to it was like hearing Sammy tell his story to a group of friends. Sometimes he would ramble off on a topic (think groupies, drugs and rock & roll) and I’d think, “I can’t believe he’s really saying this”; but it does work. The narrator even sounded a bit like Sammy. For me, I believe it would not have been as enjoyable if I read the book rather than listened to it. It was straightforward and entertaining.

The book begins with background on Sammy’s childhood and growing up in Fontana, California. He candidly talks about what it was like having an alcoholic father and being poor, his early years in music and how he came to join the band Montrose before eventually leaving for a successful solo career. He also speaks openly about his first wife’s mental problems and his efforts to take care of her while he was on the road. For those interested in hearing about the Van Halen years, he doesn’t disappoint. A lot of those stories were already made public and I found his assessment of the band and Eddie to be believable.

I didn’t discover Sammy’s music until he released the song I Can’t Drive 55. It’s still one of my favorites. He explains the story behind that song and talks about making the video. Apparently he really does have a hard time driving the speed limit!

One of the more fascinating aspects of Sammy are his other businesses. He has made many successful investments. Early in his music career he started his own publishing company and kept control of the songs he wrote. He owned one of the first mountain bike shops, founded Cabo Wabo Tequila and The Cabo Wabo Cantina, bar, restaurant and concert hall. He discusses the difficulty he had establishing the cantina and makes it clear that he has worked hard for everything he has.

I listened to this over a few days time. It was a seven hours of audio and would probably be a quick read if one read the book instead. One warning, at times the language and subject matter is R rated. Overall it was enjoyable and highly recommended to Sammy Hagar fans.