Short answers, pulled from the story.
Sammy Hagar walked away from Montrose in early February 1975. This departure ended the band's most commercially successful era before it truly began. The tension between Hagar and guitarist Ronnie Montrose had been simmering for months before boiling over during a European tour.
Paper Money peaked at number 65 on the Billboard 200. Released on the 11th of October 1974, the album became the group's highest-charting release. This commercial peak marked the beginning of the end for the original lineup.
Alan Fitzgerald replaced original bassist Bill Church on the album Paper Money. Fitzgerald brought a different energy to the rhythm section and complemented drummer Denny Carmassi with a tighter approach. This personnel change was a strategic move to stabilize the band.
Rhino Entertainment released a Deluxe Edition of Paper Money on the 13th of October 2017. This edition added a bonus disc featuring tracks from a live session recorded at the Record Plant in Sausalito, California. The live session took place on the 26th of December 1974.
Ted Templeman served as the producer for the album Paper Money. He guided the band through the recording process with his signature sound that emphasized clarity and power. Additional musicians such as Mark Jordan and Nick DeCaro added layers of texture to the album.