Sam Roy "Sammy" Hagar was born October 13, 1947 in Salinas, California. Hagar is a graduate from Fontana High School. Hagar became interested in the burgeoning Southern California music scene, fronting his first band, The Fabulous Catillas. In 1967, the duo of Hagar and Pete Samson, backed by The Peppermint Trolley Co., recorded and released two songs, entitled, "Reach Out To Find me" and "Read My Thoughts", on a 7" promo record under the Ranwood label. In 1968, Hagar joined his first professional group, the Johnny Fortune Band, as a vocalist and rhythm guitarist. Hagar's first major success, however, came from his work with the group Montrose on their debut and second albums, including the first song Hagar ever wrote, "Bad Motor Scooter". Hagar started a solo recording and touring career to increasing success. Hagar enjoyed initial moderate success on Capitol Records, with such albums as Nine on a Ten Scale and hits such as "Red", which would build as a persona and style, leading up to his given trademark nickname of "The Red Rocker". In 1983/84 Hagar and Neal Schon formed the supergroup HSAS (Hagar Schon Aaronson Shrieve) along with former Foghat bassist Kenny Aaronson and former Santana drummer Michael Shrieve. After parting ways with vocalist David Lee Roth, the remaining members of the band Van Halen contacted many potential replacements. In July 1985, given Eddie Van Halen's appreciation of Montrose, the band auditioned and quickly hired Hagar to fill the opening. With Hagar at the front, Van Halen produced four multi-platinum, #1 Billboard charting albums: 5150, OU812, For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, and Balance, as well as many chart hits, including nine #1 Mainstream Rock hits. During Hagar's stint as Van Halen's vocalist, the band was often informally referred to by fans as "Van Hagar" as a way to distinguish the band from the previous "David Lee Roth albums". Hagar went on to produce several new solo records after the split with Van Halen in 1996. In 1999, Hagar formed a long term solo band, called The Waboritas, consisting again of David Lauser on drums, as well as former keyboardist Jesse Harms, and new to the mix was former The Bus Boys guitarist Vic Johnson, and former Tommy Tutone bassist Mona Gnader. In the summer of 2002, Roth and Hagar teamed up in the Song For Song, the Heavyweight Champs of Rock and Roll tour (also known as the 'Sans-Halen' or 'Sam & Dave' Tour). In 2008, Hagar formed a "supergroup" named "Chickenfoot" with Michael Anthony, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, and guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani. Their self-titled debut album was released in June 2009 and debuted at #4 on the Billboard Music Chart. Outside of music, he is also well-known as the founder of the Cabo Wabo Tequila brand and restaurant chain.