MONTROSE, named after founder and former EDGAR WINTER BAND and VAN MORRISON guitarist RONNIE MONTROSE go down in musical history as having one of the strongest rock albums of all time in their Ted Templeman produced 1974 debut. The album sports some all time classic abrasive riffs allied to superb songwriting craftsmanship and superb vocals courtesy of SAMMY HAGAR. Such was the impact of this album that it was not until VAN HALEN's debut in 1978 did a band make such a titanic debut.

Although the follow up 'Paper Money' was another fine effort, if a little tamer, it could not match its illustrious predecessor and it was steadily downhill for MONTROSE from here on in. Bassist Bill Church had departed in favour of Alan Fitzgerald, keyboards were now involved in the band sound courtesy of Jim Alicivar.

Ructions within the camp would see Hagar leaving to pursue a longterm succesful solo career (eventually winding up as frontman for VAN HALEN) before recording the next album as Hagar and Montrose sparked a bitter war of words which was to simmering for many years afterwards. Hagar's prominence on the rock scene soon overshadowed his former act and at various stages he was able to lure away from the MONTROSE camp Church, Fitzgerald and Carmassi.

For the 1975 'Warner Bros. Presents' album Hagar's space had been filled by Bob James. A further stab at stopping the rot 'Jump on it', including new bassist Randy Jo Hobbs filling in for Fitzgerald who had been inticed away by Hagar, witnessed a welcome return to some of the energy of yore but it was too little too late. MONTROSE partnered up with JOURNEY and VAN HALEN for US nationwide dates throughout March and April of 1978.

The band dissolved with Carmassi predictably joining Hagar's touring band. Carmassi would go on to AOR sensations HEART. Fitzgerald would later become a member of NIGHT RANGER. Montrose opted for solo work and later formed GAMMA with Alcivar and Carmassi. Studio work even resulted in his being credited for production for San Fransiscan thrashers HEATHEN.

The hatchet was finally buried in 1997 when MONTROSE reformed if only for one song 'Warmth Of The Womb' on SAMMY HAGAR's 'Marching To Mars' album. Montrose and Carmassi reformed GAMMA in 2000.

By January of 2002 word leaked out that MONTROSE was set to be resurrected with a line up announced as being RONNIE MONTROSE, vocalist Keith St. John presently of BURNING RAIN and ex-SUN KING, erstwhile MR. BIG drummer Pat Torpey and ex QUIET RIOT and HOUSE OF LORDS bassist Chuck Wright. The new band stepped up for a memorable debut performance at the Los Angeles Key club on April 29th 2002 in honour of the late OZZY OSBOURNE and MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Randy Castillo.

MONTROSE would still be in action on the live circuit in September but with Ricky Phillips on bass substituting for Chuck Wright who had taken up the call from ALICE COOPER. With Pat Torpey on paternity leave RATT's Bobby Blotzer manned the drum stoool. An April 2004 show at the Dallas Guitar Show saw the band citing a line up of Montrose, Phillips, vocalist Johnny Lesveque and FATES WARNING drummer Mark Zonder.

'Rock Candy' was given a new treatment by ex-OZZY OSBOURNE guitarist JAKE E. LEE on his 2005 album of seventies cover versions.

Recording for a brand new MONTROSE album in early 2005 saw the core line-up of RONNIE MONTROSE, Ricky Philips on bass and the KISS and BLACK SABBATH credited Eric Singer on drums being joined by guest singers such as SAMMY HAGAR, KISS frontman PAUL STANLEY, ERIC MARTIN, TOMMY SHAW and GREGG ROLIE. The band's show on 28th May at the 'Rib America' festival in St. Louis saw Eric Singer manning the drums.

The band had their track 'Black Train' covered on OVERDRIVE and LOCOMOTIVE BREATH guitarist Janne Stark's November 2006 MOUNTAIN OF POWER tribute collection.