Sammy Hagar walked away from Montrose in early February 1975, ending the band's most commercially successful era before it truly began. Released on the 11th of October 1974, Paper Money became the group's highest-charting album, peaking at number 65 on the Billboard 200, yet this commercial peak marked the beginning of the end for the original lineup. The tension between guitarist Ronnie Montrose and Hagar had been simmering for months, boiling over during a grueling European tour that stretched from late 1974 into early 1975. By the time the band returned to the United States, the acrimony had become so severe that Hagar could no longer share a stage with Montrose, leading to his abrupt departure and the hiring of Bob James as his replacement. This split was not merely a creative disagreement but a fundamental clash of personalities that would define the band's legacy as a cautionary tale of hard rock excess and internal friction.
A New Rhythm Section
The arrival of Alan Fitzgerald on bass marked a significant shift in the sonic architecture of Montrose, replacing original bassist Bill Church who had been part of the group's formation. Fitzgerald brought a different energy to the rhythm section, complementing drummer Denny Carmassi with a tighter, more driving approach that suited the heavier direction of the album. While Hagar handled lead vocals on almost every track, the band experimented with vocal duties, with Ronnie Montrose taking the lead on the closing track, We're Going Home. This shift in personnel was not just a personnel change but a strategic move to stabilize a band that was rapidly fracturing under the pressure of touring and recording. The addition of Fitzgerald also signaled a desire to move forward from the raw energy of their debut, aiming for a more polished and commercially viable sound that would eventually lead to the album's chart success.Television and Touring
To promote the album, the band took their music to the national stage, appearing live on The Midnight Special television show to perform Paper Money and I Got the Fire. These performances were crucial in reaching a wider audience beyond the hard rock radio circuit, showcasing the band's ability to translate their studio energy into a live setting. The European tour that followed was intended to solidify their international presence, but it instead became the crucible that forged the final break between Montrose and Hagar. The grueling schedule and the constant travel exacerbated the existing tensions, turning what should have been a celebration of their new album into a battleground of egos. Despite the commercial success, the band's internal dynamics were so strained that the tour became a symbol of their impending dissolution, leaving fans with a sense of loss for a group that had barely found its footing.