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Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock Audiobook
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(3.02) - 1,583 listener ratings
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Plot Summary
Sammy Hagar shares tales of loud music, unbelievable parties and fast cars in Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock. Hagar, often affectionately referred to as The Red Rocker, sold millions of records and packed arenas as a solo artist and as the charismatic frontman of Van Halen, one of the most popular rock bands in the world.
The book begins with Hagar as a youngster. Even then, living in a poor neighborhood and wearing hand-me-downs, he was determined to be a household name. The book quickly follows with his adolescence and his early solo career. Most of Red is focused on Hagar's time in Van Halen, beginning in 1985. His behind-the-scenes stories include backstage antics, drug-induced fights and tensions with band leader Eddie Van Halen.
After his controversial departure from Van Halen, Hagar proved he was more than just a creative mind, using his business sense to create one of the most well-known and most profitable tequila brands in the world, Cabo Wabo.
Hagar is best known as a vocalist, but he's also a talented guitarist and songwriter. His musical career spans almost 40 years, beginning with hard rock outfit Montrose in the 1970s followed quickly by a successful solo career in the early 1980s. Hagar's I Can't Drive 55 charted in 1984, just a year before he was asked to join Van Halen. He fronted what fans call "Van Hagar" from 1985 until 1996, and from 2003 to 2005.
Since 2008, he has dedicated his time to an all-star band called Chickenfoot. It features Hagar on vocals with Van Halen's Michael Anthony on bass, Red Hot Chili Peppers' drummer Chad Smith and Joe Satriani on guitar.
"Beyond the expected self-indulgence and excesses, an entertaining read (listen). After just finishing biographies of other great persons (Churchill, the R. Jenkins one, Chanel by R. Vaughan), a refreshing and honest-sounding life story so far. Still can't listen to his music though."
— Kimmo (4 out of 5 stars)
Publisher Summary
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.
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Quotes
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“Nobody had to explain the American dream to Sammy. He knew in his gut that there was a better life available to him if he refused to accept the status quo. It’s all here in Sammy’s new book.”
— Ted Nugent -
“Sammy has maintained his all-star success no matter where his Red Rocker career has taken him. He still can’t drive fifty-five, but hey, he’s the one driving the Mustang. So sit back and ride.”
— Toby Keith -
“I’ll admit it: I’ve been a Sammy Hagar wannabe since I heard his voice on a Montrose album…I’m proud to call him a rock star hero, a friend, and a brother in the sun. Rock on, Red Rocker!”
— Kenny Chesney -
“Sammy’s no bullsh*tter. If Sammy says it happened, it did. There’s nobody else anywhere like him.”
— Michael Anthony -
“There are not a lot of people I would drop whatever I’m doing to go and see, but Sammy Hagar is one of thouse people…The man rocks his ass off, and vicariously through him so do I. My man—Sammy Hagar.”
— Whoopi Goldberg -
“Over the many years I’ve known Sammy, his Red Rocker passion in music has always inspired me. But it’s also his love of cooking great food and sharing a good bottle of wine that has been at the core of our friendship for so long.”
— Emeril Lagasse -
“Sam’s the man. Tequila, fast cars, rock ’n’ roll—my kind of guy.”
— Jimmie Johnson, five-time NASCAR champion -
“There are tell-all books. And then there are tell-all books written by Sammy Hagar. The sixty-three-year-old ex–Van Halen frontman holds back nothing—and I mean absolutely nothing—in his autobiography…The Red Rocker’s life look-back doesn’t skimp on the details.”
— Associated Press
Awards
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A #1 New York Times bestseller
Red Listener Reviews
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Jeffrey Brown, 7/29/2022
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Fred Hauck, 12/13/2014
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" Not a wholesome read by any means but I love my Sammy. Although it destroyed everything I loved about the Van Halen brothers. "
— Wendy, 2/20/2014 -
" Snooze fest. Good for him though. "
— Jill, 2/12/2014 -
" Good book! Kinda slow in the beginning, but worth reading! Sammy is very up front and brutally honest. He gives the dish on the Van Halen brothers , I love reading bios on musicians, and this one is a good one .. Love ya Sammy!! "
— Julia, 2/2/2014 -
" I grew up listening to Van Halen (Roth); stopped listening when Sammy came along. I now have a different perspective on Sammy; interesting rocker with a great business sense. It was hard reading about Eddie and his challenges. Great book... "
— Frank, 1/25/2014 -
" It was ok-but I didn't really like Sammy after I had read it. I still love his music but I see him differently now. "
— Cynthia, 1/25/2014 -
" I kinda compare this to George W. Bush's memoir: two figures I'm not really a fan of, Hagar, perhaps moreso since he's a rawk dood. For juicy rock star memoir fodder it's full of the usual: Van Halen fans will get plenty of skewering of the Van Halen boyz. "
— Gary, 1/17/2014 -
" good book, but like a lot of Sammy's music, it is a great song but not that memorable "
— Jerseytodd, 1/17/2014 -
" Great if you are a Sammy Hagar fan. "
— Scott, 12/11/2013 -
" How does one score the rock-star ghost-writer gig? "
— Scott, 11/21/2013 -
" What an incredible story. I realize it's one persons view of events, but that's what biographies are. Sammy Hagar Rocks! I'm a bigger fan now than I was before I read the book. "
— Mitch, 11/21/2013 -
" Surprisingly entertaining. Whatever I read rock memoirs for, it was in here. "
— Ken, 10/24/2013 -
" Interesting for a Sammy or VH fan but not a particularly good read. It reads like the transcript of a lengthy interview, less the questions, which it probably is. "
— Jeff, 10/23/2013 -
" I couldn't stop listening ( to this audio-book ). It gives great insight, into Sammy's life, Van Halen, and everything else he's ever done; hopefully it's all truth & no lies! "
— Michael, 10/18/2013 -
" A bit repetitive and contradicting at moments but an interesting read. "
— Geoff, 10/13/2013 -
" My favorite musician -- so I obviously loved the book. "
— Laura, 3/27/2013 -
" Meh. Too much obscure name dripping for me. The van halen stuff was interesting, as was the cabo wabo portion.. But the rest...eh it was ok "
— Casmen, 3/6/2013 -
" It was what it was. "
— Brennan, 7/13/2012 -
" Overall a good read. Unless you're a huge Sammy Hagar fan, it starts out slow. In the middle, he finally starts to talk about his time in Van Halen. Learned a lot about the Van Halen brothers and their personal issues. "
— Paula, 7/1/2012 -
" this was a great read...a little reminder on how fucked up musicians really are...just in case any one forgot.. "
— Lisa, 6/23/2012 -
" Interesting read, good insight to the world of rock and roll. I will say that it is a very disjointed read...the early chapters are all over the place and hard to follow...the topics jump around a lot and it seems like Sammy was just speaking/writing things as they came to his mind. "
— Scott, 2/23/2012 -
" Yes, I read this. The business side of his life is much more fascinating than the rock side. And just when you think he is smart or normal, he hits you with something completely crazy like aliens. If you've ever wanted to read a book about an insane zillionaire, this could be the book for you. "
— Kevin, 1/22/2012 -
" Thought it was very good. "
— P.e.lolo, 1/22/2012 -
" I love autobiographies and I also love Sammy Hagar so this was a great read for me. He really is such a savy business man, not just in the music industry. "
— Ann, 10/20/2011 -
" A great read an honest look at a charmed life. "
— Paul, 10/19/2011 -
" A lot of fun. Learned a lot about Sammy and the crazy van halen bros. "
— Damon, 8/22/2011 -
" Was a great read... "
— Paul, 8/9/2011 -
" I really enjoyed Sammy's story. The only thing I was a little disappointed in was his negative stories about his ex-wife and her mental health problems. They were married 20+ years and have two sons together. "
— Karla, 5/23/2011 -
" LOVED IT. I always liked Sammy and now know why. Just a simple guy who happened to end up as a rock star. "
— Deborah, 5/14/2011 -
" The book reads as if Sammy is sitting in front of you story telling. Good easy read. "
— Mary, 5/9/2011 -
" Surprisingly entertaining. Whatever I read rock memoirs for, it was in here. "
— Ken, 5/5/2011 -
" He was a much more interesting guy than I gave him credit for. I think he might be a better business man than a musician. He's got passion and heart. And, lordy, lordy are those Van Halen brothers f$%*'ed up!! "
— Colleen, 5/5/2011 -
" Easy read, he has no love lost for the Van Halen brothers. "
— Rileygolden, 5/2/2011 -
" Great if you are a Sammy Hagar fan. "
— Scott, 4/25/2011 -
" I kinda compare this to George W. Bush's memoir: two figures I'm not really a fan of, Hagar, perhaps moreso since he's a rawk dood. For juicy rock star memoir fodder it's full of the usual: Van Halen fans will get plenty of skewering of the Van Halen boyz. "
— Gary, 4/25/2011 -
" Pretty typical rock and roll stories. Nothing earth breaking. "
— Michael, 4/24/2011 -
" Doesn't paint the most flattering picture of the King of Rock Guitar, but that was to be expected. Very cool read for any Van Halen or Sammy fans. "
— Rob, 4/23/2011
About Sammy Hagar
Sammy Hagar is the multiplatinum “Red Rocker”—the outgoing, bombastic front man of hard-rock champions Van Halen—and is currently 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 between California, Hawaii, and Mexico.
About Scott Shepherd
Scott Shepherd is best known for his work with two internationally celebrated theater companies, the Wooster Group and Elevator Repair Service. He was the narrator of Gatz, a seven-hour staging of the entire text of The Great Gatsby, for which he won an Obie and an Elliot Norton Award.