Red by Sammy Hagar- Book

Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock

I have never been a Sammy Hagar fan.  Not that I didn't like him.  Just didn't listen to his music.  Before this book "I Can't Drive 55" was the only Hagar song I could name.  Not even a big Van Halen fan.  I knew the 80s songs like Jump, Hot for Teacher and Panama.  Didn't know any of the songs when Hagar was lead.  I saw him on Leno pushing the book and it sounded interesting.   It was.

Hagar was raised poor.  Very poor.  His father was the town drunk and would beat on Sammy and his mom.  He got into music at an early age.  Partly to keep from having to get a real job.  One thing led to another.  I was impressed that Hagar was not your typical dope head rock star.  He is a pretty smart guy that made millions with business outside the music industry.

This is most definitely a tell all book.  He tells of his insane first wife. His early drug use.  We hear about  a sex room at concerts below the stage where roadies would bring groupies for their pleasure during concerts.  He dishes big time on the Van Halen brothers.  Especially Eddie.  He tells of Eddie's drug and alcohol problems.

Considering I barely knew who he was I thought the book was very good.  If you are a Hagar fan you would probably like it even more.