Montrose
The problem with coming late on a trend is that unless there's a new twist it's easy to get lost in the pack. That was Montrose's fate. Macho crotch Rock had been done to death by British and U.S. Rockers and nobody was really clamoring for yet another take on it. Still, Montrose could deliver with songs like "Rock The Nation," "Bad Motor Scooter" and "Rock Candy" (all on their self-titled debut).
Ronnie Montrose made a name for himself as a session guitarist for Gary Wright ("Dream Weaver") and Van Morrison ("St. Dominic's Preview" and "Tupelo Honey"). Following a brief stay with the Edgar Winter Group ("They Only Come Out At Night"), Montrose was asked to join Mott The Hopple. Declining, Montrose decided to start his own group in '73 with Sammy Hagar on vocals. Montrose managed a handful of albums treading familiar Rock themes. Despite decent sales, the group could barely get passed opening act status. In '75, Hagar split for a solo career that was only marginally more successful. Montrose picked up vocalist Bob James but that failed to turn things around.
Debut album "Montrose" is a far better record than sales indicate. Glam Rock, Country-Rock and the whole singer-songwriter trend pushed it to the peripheral. Successive recordings like "Jump On It," with the provocative cover, are less consistent and tread the same turf. The "Very Best of Montrose" is an eighteen song collection that cuts to the group's essence without breaking the bank.