One of the most underrated guitarists ever. Amazing tone, taste, and just the right balance of tech and melody. Sadly, he fought depression his whole life, self esteem issues, and never thought he was good enough on guitar.
He suffered from atelophobia and imposter syndrome. I read his widow talking about the verbal and physical abuse he endured at the hands of his father. Sad stuff. As you can see by his playing he was no fucking fraud.
This was indeed from the March 25, 1978 show at the Palladium with Journey headlining and Van Halen as opening act since I was there and still have the ticket stub. Ronnie was awesome as usual. I also saw him at the Ritz on a twin bill with Frank Marino and Mahogany Rush and at Tramps in NYC. Ronnie is absolutely the most underrated and overlooked guitarist ever. I am a guitarist for over 40 years and have walked out of a Stevie Ray Vaughan concert (and I am a big SRV fan) but never missed a minute of a Montrose show. He never ceased to keep me interested and satisfied at the numerous concerts of his I've attended. Long live his music and legacy.
Ronnie and Frank, what an amazing show that must have been. I'm from Canadian prairies, hardly saw any of those bands from back then, saw Ronnie once with Black Oak and Frank twice, once outdoors. They killed it every time. Both super underrated!
weird you say this as i saw srv royal oak theatre michigan around early 80s and was not impressed . at the time was a huge fan and couldnt stand the weather my fave song , but srv was bland . aslo saw marino at the harpos detroit like 3 times in 80s and he was FANTASTIC ! if he'd had the writer and singer sky was the limit . fave guitar i saw was santana . biggest musical regrets were not seeing dime n page . being in metro detroit saw nugent plenty and always enjoy the heck out of teds playing and stage presence . also , did you mean the RITZ on gratiot/frazo east detroit ? my old bar in 80s
I left an SRV concert after three songs. Gladly. Left Santana too. Twice. (Once after Jeff Beck opened.) Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. I would have sat through this though with rapt attention.
Saw this tour in 78. Loved the album, ( Open Fire ) and wore it out! Ronnie was definitely influenced by Jeff Beck, so dropping vocals and expanding his palate was absolutely wonderful. A much beloved artist, within the rock community. Respect!
You will live on in my mind, Ronnie, your music will endure as classic, forever..... Your skills were outrageous, you were a true Guitar God, thanks for sharing every minute of your music, not a one was disappointing, you were a true master of the craft..... I wish you were still with us, giving us the benefit of your talent, the joy of experiencing your ability to make a wooden contraption with metal strings, sing like an angel..... I saw you when you first joined Edgar, replacing Derringer, I saw you for the last time, just before you passed, and countless times in between. You never failed to amaze me, you always gave us the performance that caused me to cherish every minute of being in the same room as you, whether it was a small bar, or a stadium..... This live performance of the "Open Fire" era is a prime example of your talent, and skill, you will never be forgotten..... Rest in Peace, sir.....
The Montrose first album ("Montrose") I still believe is one of the greatest metal rock of all time. Bought it when it first came out after seeing him in concert 1974 (Winterland?). Forgot about the album when I got busy with career/family etc. etc. Picked it up again 40 yrs later and it's obligatory commute music now driving to the City AM's. 6:00 am, windows wide open, rain or shine, of course.
I am 57. I have been a fan of Zeppelin, Sabbath, Genesis, Yes..... since I was 8 in 1974. How in the world did I miss Montrose in the 1970s? I heard of Gamma years ago but never went back to check out Montrose for some odd reason. My goodness how much good music Ronnie left us. I also remember in Guitar for the practicing musican(I am pretty sure) years ago had a guitar roundtable with Ronnie included. It was a great read! It may be online somewhere.
Two excellent keyboarder with two nice overdriven Hammonds, two Solina String Ensembles, 4 Moogs with fresh and inspireing solo play, a groovy bassplayer and noone mentioned them? Steve Smith synchronised the Moogsequencer with no click perfectly...what a lineup!
The thing that’s crazy about Montrose he was way ahead of everyone else and yet he got very little accolades except for his time with gamma in the 80s. I saw him play in Sacramento in 1993 and it’s one of the best concerts I’ve ever seen.
I met Ronnie one afternoon in garden Grove CA . the place the marquee I lived right around the corner drove by the club and saw his name on the marquee out front stopped in absolutely nobody around but the door was open so I walked in and sat down at a front row seat less than a minute went by and Ronnie by himself walked in got up on stage and proceeded to rip it up just for me nobody else in the place that I could see I was absolutely floored by what he played I was truly blessed that day. it gets better after he finished playing I walked up to met him he was very polite by the way.I said I Ronnie I build custom guitars his next words were do you have anything to show me well I zipped home grabbed my best work and showed it to him he inspected it for some time and then stated that when it was finished I should give him a call I sensed he liked my work. he passed away before I could show him anything but what a blessed day that was in my life if there will be guitar building in heaven then Ronnie will finely have one of mine.
I had always heard about Steve Smith playing with Montrose before Journey....Thought about searching RUclips and can't believe what came up. What a show!!
HOLY SHIT!!!! What an amazing show! Ronnie was one of the most gifted guitarists of all time. A very young Steve Smithon drums is incredible! Thank you so much for downloading this wonderful concert!!!
I Saw that concert in Murray KY that year,,,,I was 13 years old,,, first rock concert. Van Halen opened up,, then Ronnie Montrose,,,then Journey. Journey was headliner for the Infinity album. I was already into rock,, that night confirmed it. I'm a rock head.
Ronnie Montrose -- great showman and even greater guitarist! I had the pleasure of seeing Ronnie over the years in many different bands he had in the Bay Area. I still kick myself for missing one of his last shows he ever did that was here in Folsom Ca., thinking I'd just catch his next show. Love his instrumental work of the late 80's and 90's -- just so melodic and riveting -- we miss him!
Gamma,was really great stuff . Look up Wish I was. Great lyric,melody,guitar work. I remember hearing that song for the first time . Bap, boom,bahh wham great guitar right from the get,go, Look it up. Enjoy. Peace Out
@user-wd8yw3db8q ok! We showed up to load in as his sound check was getting done. He introduced himself and his band. He was a gear head, meaning he loved to talk about his Amp, guitar, etc. I had gotten a new Amp, and while we were setting up, the sound man, an old friend came up and handed me the direct box for my bass. I said my new Amp has an out put, but he said no, your a great player, and I know how to make you sound good! We were arguing, playfully, and Ronnie walks over, put his hand on my shoulder and says, "Adam, learn how to take a compliment!". I said "Great! Your on his side". We play argued about 5 minutes before I gave in.
Anyone everyone who is blessed to see Ron Montrose live you are definitely blessed and Jesus Christ just been Mary he is one of the best guitarists ever and no s*** sure left or no s*** Sherlock
Frank Marino of Mahogany Rush. Wow! Haven’t heard that name in years. My older brother had RUSH ‘Fly By Night’ (or was album entitled ‘Anthem’ ?, can’t remember) and Mahogany RUSH (no idea what title of album was)
"Open Fire was the first instrumental album from Ronnie Montrose which explored jazz, rock and acoustic concepts in the vein of Blow by Blow by Jeff Beck. Ronnie dropped hints in previous Montrose albums that he was heading in this direction. It contained various jazz, acoustic, synthesizer and string elements that showed Ronnie was looking to branch out from his hard rock persona. After the initial tour with Steve Smith on drums and on the strength of this effort, Montrose was then invited to tour Japan with accomplished jazz and jazz fusion drummer Tony Williams. In July 1978, Montrose joined Tony Williams, Brian Auger (keyboards), Mario Cipollina (bass) and special guest Billy Cobham also on drums for a series of concerts touring as the "Tony Williams All Stars". "Open Fire", "Rocky Road" and "Heads Up" were part of the setlist. A recording of "Open Fire" from one of the shows appears on The Joy of Flying by Tony Williams (1978)." -wiki/mw
I saw RM in the '80's at the Channel in Boston. I was directly in front of him and he had the wildest eyes that I've ever seen. Great concert. Rock In Peace!
OMG!!!! Thank you for posting this! I WAS THERE!!!! Opening act was none other than..........VAN HALEN!!!! Sammy Hagar went on to join Van Halen many years later after sharing a tour together!Thank You again for posting this....much appreciated!
I've only been to a very few rock concerts in my lifetime, but one of them was Journey in May 1978 at Chrysler Hall in Norfolk, VA....and one of the "warm-up" artists in that concert was Ronnie Montrose and his band. Seriously, I don't think a "warm-up" artist ever did a better job of setting the whole place on fire than Ronnie did that night. Ronnie was indeed an exceptional guitarist, one of the best rock guitarists of all time in my opinion, as is very well demonstrated in this live video here.
Was that one of the shows that Van Halen opened, then Montrose then Journey? I saw that show in Fort Worth and bought EVERY front row set for my friends and it was one of the best concerts EVER. Van Halen kicked ASS and Montrose was solid, Journey was forgettable.
Saw that tour in Dayton, Ohio at Hara Arena. Journey was good, but definitely the weakest of the three and I was a fan of Journey way before Steve Perry ever dreamed of stardom. Was a HUGE fan of Ronnie Montrose since his Van Morrison days and Edgar Winter Group days as well. Van Halen started the night off with a sound that no one in the house had ever heard before. Great night! Great concert. The world lost one of the best when Ronnie passed away! Rock On Ronnie! RIP!
Bob Welch Its interesting I saw journey back up Montrose at the Masonic temple in Detroit Michigan. Actually Van Halen went on first, then Journey and Montrose was the headliner on the "open fire" tour no singing tunes.
@@frankludwin2919Saw the same lineup in KCK circa Spring ‘78. Van Halen opened; then Montrose. As another commenter stated, Journey was underwhelming! Went and bought VH and Open Fire LPs the next day.
Thanks for sharing! This was one of best concerts I ever say, though I saw in San Francisco at the Old Waldorf, was four seats away from stage! My all time favorite guitar album and one of my favorite guitarists of all times! Rest in peace Ronnie and keep on rocking for eternity!!!
Saw this concert in Cleveland. One of the greatest shows ever. Montrose stole the show. Opening act was Van Halen, then Montrose, headliner was Journey (Infinity tour with Steve Perry). Ronnie was incredible on guitar, almost matched by Steve Smith on drums and the synthesizer was awesome! Consider that Journey stole Steve Smith immediately after this tour.
In 1975 I saw Ronnie with his band Montrose at the Jahrhunderthalle In Frankfurt/Hoechst as part of The Warner Brothers Music Show and it was great! The group consisted of Ronnie, the then not yet so well-known Sammy Hagar on vocals and split jumps, Alan Fitzgerald, replacing Bill Church on bass and also playing keyboards (like John Paul Jones), and on drums Denny Carmassi, who later in his career played drums for Heart, David Coverdale and even Jimmy Page, among many others. In my opinion it was an absolutely fantastic show, which featured the best of their until then two released albums (Rock The Nation + Paper Money); even the eerie theremin was included.
Cool, thanks for confirming because I thought that was him, he just shines here as usual. His insane drumming is one reason I took them up 40 odd years ago.
I was blessed to see RM perform twice. Once with this line up and once when Carlos invited him on stage to Jam with Santana on a song. I will never forget hearing Space Station #9 for the first time as a young teen. R.I.P.
+Kyle Nielsen i saw him about then too. at the fairgrounds i think, and he made a flub during his single. he didn't have sammy with him and everybody was bummed out he didn't have ANY singer! rip ronnie
Yo también...Norfolk, Virginia. I played "Town Without Pity" for my Dad and, cockily asked if he knew the song......imagine my shock when he named it. The song was older than I realized.....joke was on me!
Me too ! Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa. Van Halen were 3rd on the bill and Journey were the headliners. Nowadays, I prefer to just remember Ronnies set and forget the others.
Thanks for posting. Great memories. I saw Montrose during this tour (on Long Island, NY) and many times prior to this. First time I saw Montrose was when they opened for Humble Pie in 1974. Dennie's drums sounded great in the PA - booming bass drum. Montrose just exploded on the music scene.
I had a 66ss 327 350h.p. Chavelle. Can we get back to our world!!! From Detroit rock city 64 this year Have a new frankenstra, and it's the best playing guitar.I've ever had my hands-on.I want more
steve smith on drums!! neal schon and steve smith w ricky phillips of styx on bass played this at Ronnie's memorial show in SF..incredible, love live ronnie!
You're right. I was at the show too. We got VH's album a couple days before the concert. Also, I was a huge fan of Journey at the time. Their new album with Perry also dropped a couple weeks before and I hated it. For me it was the end of Journey. (I understand many fans don't feel the same way.)
This is a gem!!! As great as Steve Smith's solo is here, it's pretty amazing how much more advanced his chops are in the Captured solo not even two years later. Thanks very much for this upload. God, I love RUclips.
I was at this concert it was at the palladium Ronnie opened for van Halen that just released their first album and than the opening act journey supporting their infinity album it was truly a magical night...this was the monster jam back in the day...the great drum solo by Steve smith was amazing . which later replaced he late Ansley Dunbar in journey ...I listen to all three bands today they are as relevant today as yesterday...R.I.P. RONNIE...
This was my concert heyday and I never saw Montrose. Between 75 and 79 I must have gone to 125 concerts. Not seeing Montrose is a big regret. I'm from NYC too. It was easy to see them and still didn't. Damn.
fuck yeah kick ass concert from ronnie montrose and his band. live new york city 4th march 1978. just wow. love this ronnie is fun to watch him here live kicking butt on his guitar. wish he was still here underrated genius. and poor ronnie fought depression his whole life never thought he was a good enough guitar. sad that depression took his own life. wish the man was still here. ronnie mate you was damm fucking amazing. unsung music hero.
Totally agree, he's a pioneer of the rock n metal music we enjoy today. Parents need to teach their kids about these people so we don't lose their memory
Saw Ronnie once at The Bodega in Campbell, CA. He was playing guitar with one hand and swinging from the low hanging rafter with the other hand. Legend. RIP.
FUN FACT about THIS TOUR: Opening Act was VAN HALEN (first tour). Ronnie Montrose followed. Journey was headliner....and got their ass kicked by the first two bands.........
At his shows before I in the sand and the band I told my bud he looked like a bumbel bee playing he was my favorite live he was Aman on 🔥 fire so nice no ego I loved the dude s ambition always doing something new in all musical aeras god bless Ronnie Montrose rest peacefully brother playing bass with my hero was the greatest thing ever
Saw him in late '74 when he was touring to promote "Paper Money". Hagar, Denny Carmassi, and Bill Church rounded out the band. They and Foghat were opening for J Geils, and after Montrose and Foghat were done, He was a big let down, so we left. To this day, probably the most memorable Rock Concert I have been to, and I have seen a few.
I'm thinking the date is wrong for this show? I was at the show, 4th row orchestra dead center at the Palladium. An unknown Van Halen opened, Ronnie Montrose 2nd bill and Journey (first tour with Steve Perry) as headliners. Incredible show. Date was 3/25/78.
Rob, that reminds me now what show it was that I unintentionally caught a Journey set at while going for the supporting act. It was easy to tell Journey was focusing on a stadium and arena presentation even though it was a theater date. Unfortunately for me, Van Halen wasn't on the Rochester bill.
@@greasyfingers2699 That's weird that Van Halen wasn't on the bill. This site claims that they were on that bill in Rochester at the Memorial Auditorium. Not that these sites are always accurate... www.concertarchives.org/bands/montrose?page=2#concert-table
The date and the set list are screwed up. This actually was performed at the Palladium on a Saturday on March 25, 1978 and I saw him the night before outside of Philadelphia at the Tower Theater. Open Fire Mandolinia/Merry-Go-Round Rocky Road Tuft-Sedge One and a Half Town Without Pity Starliner Ronnie Montrose - Guitars Jim Alcivar - Keyboards, Sequencer Steve Smith - Drums ? - Keyboards ? - Bass
Absolutely incredible! What a f***in composer, musician, arranger, and I guess most of all, GUITAR VIRTUOSO is RONNIE MONTROSE. What an f'n brilliant concert, brilliant band too. Ronnie-electric and acoustic guitars, Jim Alcivar-synthesizers/keyboards, Steve Smith(who was stolen w/Ronnie's blessings -by Journey--after this tour)-drums, as far as the bass player and incredible second keyboard/organist, I need help. Alan Fitzgerald played bass on the Open Fire album, but the guy playing bass onstage seems to have a different build, taller, more muscular, and much more hair than I ever saw Fitz with. Second keybordist looks a little like Mitchell Froom, albeit with much longer hair than in 1982 & 1983 when played with Ronnie on GAMMA 3, and the instrumental jazz/rock fusion duo Montrose/Froom...but this guy onstage is not wearing glasses.
![George Carlin: Jammin' in New York [SUB ITA]](/img/1.gif)
One of the most underrated guitarists ever. Amazing tone, taste, and just the right balance of tech and melody. Sadly, he fought depression his whole life, self esteem issues, and never thought he was good enough on guitar.
He suffered from atelophobia and imposter syndrome. I read his widow talking about the verbal and physical abuse he endured at the hands of his father. Sad stuff. As you can see by his playing he was no fucking fraud.
i worshiped the ground he walked on as a kid.....
if he had more hits he would be more celebrated but people who know their music know he one of the greatest ever
American Icon guitar great plays with soul A God given talent r I p. Mister Montrose
It broke my heart... he didn’t think he was good enough 💔
I got to see Ronnie in a club with a $2 cover charge and sat at a table 10 feet from the stage. I was mesmerized!
Guitarist who isn't afraid to share the stage with TWO keyboardists! Go Ronnie!
What a great solo album 'Open Fire ' is ...Powerful , magical and so original 'Rock/ Jazz/ Orchestral - Unique.
Musicians playing their own instruments! What a radical concept!
This was indeed from the March 25, 1978 show at the Palladium with Journey headlining and Van Halen as opening act since I was there and still have the ticket stub. Ronnie was awesome as usual. I also saw him at the Ritz on a twin bill with Frank Marino and Mahogany Rush and at Tramps in NYC. Ronnie is absolutely the most underrated and overlooked guitarist ever. I am a guitarist for over 40 years and have walked out of a Stevie Ray Vaughan concert (and I am a big SRV fan) but never missed a minute of a Montrose show. He never ceased to keep me interested and satisfied at the numerous concerts of his I've attended. Long live his music and legacy.
Not cool walking out on SRV bud. He was the second greatest behind Jimi
Ronnie and Frank, what an amazing show that must have been. I'm from Canadian prairies, hardly saw any of those bands from back then, saw Ronnie once with Black Oak and Frank twice, once outdoors. They killed it every time. Both super underrated!
weird you say this as i saw srv royal oak theatre michigan around early 80s and was not impressed . at the time was a huge fan and couldnt stand the weather my fave song , but srv was bland . aslo saw marino at the harpos detroit like 3 times in 80s and he was FANTASTIC ! if he'd had the writer and singer sky was the limit . fave guitar i saw was santana . biggest musical regrets were not seeing dime n page . being in metro detroit saw nugent plenty and always enjoy the heck out of teds playing and stage presence . also , did you mean the RITZ on gratiot/frazo east detroit ? my old bar in 80s
I left an SRV concert after three songs. Gladly. Left Santana too. Twice. (Once after Jeff Beck opened.) Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. I would have sat through this though with rapt attention.
@Gzom1 SRV was great but one of the best or is the best guitar player is Neal Schon is the best😮 and most over looked cause
Saw this tour in 78. Loved the album, ( Open Fire ) and wore it out! Ronnie was definitely influenced by Jeff Beck, so dropping vocals and expanding his palate was absolutely wonderful. A much beloved artist, within the rock community. Respect!
You will live on in my mind, Ronnie, your music will endure as classic, forever.....
Your skills were outrageous, you were a true Guitar God, thanks for sharing every minute of your music, not a one was disappointing, you were a true master of the craft.....
I wish you were still with us, giving us the benefit of your talent, the joy of experiencing your ability to make a wooden contraption with metal strings, sing like an angel.....
I saw you when you first joined Edgar, replacing Derringer, I saw you for the last time, just before you passed, and countless times in between. You never failed to amaze me, you always gave us the performance that caused me to cherish every minute of being in the same room as you, whether it was a small bar, or a stadium.....
This live performance of the "Open Fire" era is a prime example of your talent, and skill, you will never be forgotten.....
Rest in Peace, sir.....
I don't think this guy gets enough credit for pioneering the modern rock tone. So under rated.
I agree!
he doesnt get enough credit. period
Montrose was a flat out pioneering guitar god!
FUCK NO, Man. You're so right.
Les Paul and volume, the tubes are singing.
Definitely One the Greatest Guitarist and Les Paul players ever..
The Montrose first album ("Montrose") I still believe is one of the greatest metal rock of all time. Bought it when it first came out after seeing him in concert 1974 (Winterland?). Forgot about the album when I got busy with career/family etc. etc. Picked it up again 40 yrs later and it's obligatory commute music now driving to the City AM's. 6:00 am, windows wide open, rain or shine, of course.
I agree. One of the best rock albums ever. I also love "Paper Money', their second album.
@@aartman01 yep when I hit the road on a nice summer day I usually play montrose machine head and burn by purple as well
Montrose was released in Oct of 73.
Did Mothers Finest open your Winterland show?
Wow!... Yep, now that you mentioned it. I was at the concert. Winterland was some concert hall for sure!@@sturs100
I am 57. I have been a fan of Zeppelin, Sabbath, Genesis, Yes..... since I was 8 in 1974. How in the world did I miss Montrose in the 1970s? I heard of Gamma years ago but never went back to check out Montrose for some odd reason. My goodness how much good music Ronnie left us. I also remember in Guitar for the practicing musican(I am pretty sure) years ago had a guitar roundtable with Ronnie included. It was a great read! It may be online somewhere.
I could listen to this all day. Ronnie was phenomenal!
Two excellent keyboarder with two nice overdriven Hammonds, two Solina String Ensembles, 4 Moogs with fresh and inspireing solo play, a groovy bassplayer and noone mentioned them? Steve Smith synchronised the Moogsequencer with no click perfectly...what a lineup!
The thing that’s crazy about Montrose he was way ahead of everyone else and yet he got very little accolades except for his time with gamma in the 80s. I saw him play in Sacramento in 1993 and it’s one of the best concerts I’ve ever seen.
Ronnie Montrose , R.I.P. a guitar player who has played with so many great musicians , Rock & Roll Hall of Fame , absolutely!
I have never heard anyone else with his superb guitar sound.
Yeah, he had the best tone I've ever heard( live). My favorite was the 1994 tour. His sound and playing were amazing.
Great guitar 🎸 player!
Wonderful music!
Thanks for posting this excellent concert!
RIP Ronnie Montrose
I met Ronnie one afternoon in garden Grove CA . the place the marquee I lived right around the corner drove by the club and saw his name on the marquee out front stopped in absolutely nobody around but the door was
open so I walked in and sat down at a front row seat less than a minute went by and Ronnie by himself walked in got up on stage and proceeded to rip it up just for me nobody else in the place that I could see I was absolutely floored by what he played I was truly blessed that day. it gets better after he finished playing I walked up to met him he was very polite by the way.I said I Ronnie I build custom guitars his next words were do you have anything to show me well I zipped home grabbed my best work and showed it to him he inspected it for some time and then stated that when it was finished I should give him a call I sensed he liked my work. he passed away before I could show him anything but what a blessed day that was in my life if there will be guitar building in heaven then Ronnie will finely have one of mine.
David Parr + great story man...R.I.P. RONNIE MONTROSE
Now THAT is quite awesome.
Great story.
That had to be a cosmic experience....
David Parr that's so cool
I saw Ronnie Montrose with Sammy Hagar in LA back in late 70's......🎤🎸🎸🥁🔥👊🙏
I had always heard about Steve Smith playing with Montrose before Journey....Thought about searching RUclips and can't believe what came up. What a show!!
HOLY SHIT!!!! What an amazing show! Ronnie was one of the most gifted guitarists of all time. A very young Steve Smithon drums is incredible! Thank you so much for downloading this wonderful concert!!!
I Saw that concert in Murray KY
that year,,,,I was 13 years old,,, first
rock concert. Van Halen opened up,,
then Ronnie Montrose,,,then Journey.
Journey was headliner for the Infinity
album. I was already into rock,, that
night confirmed it. I'm a rock head.
@@bonnierogers4103
In Murray?! Don't see how a dry county and Van Halen worked out hehehe
Ronnie Montrose -- great showman and even greater guitarist! I had the pleasure of seeing Ronnie over the years in many different bands he had in the Bay Area. I still kick myself for missing one of his last shows he ever did that was here in Folsom Ca., thinking I'd just catch his next show. Love his instrumental work of the late 80's and 90's -- just so melodic and riveting -- we miss him!
Yes WE do miss Ronnie in the Bay Area !! ♪♫♫ ♥
Gamma,was really great stuff . Look up Wish I was. Great lyric,melody,guitar work. I remember hearing that song for the first time . Bap, boom,bahh wham great guitar right from the get,go, Look it up. Enjoy. Peace Out
One of the most under rated guitarists of his time. That '58 LP was amazing in his hands
GREAT 👍👏
One of the best rock fusion guitarist ever.
Opened for Ronnie Montrose in the early 2000s. Ventura, Ca. What a genuinely sweet, funny guy!
Cool indeed! Please tell us more
@user-wd8yw3db8q ok! We showed up to load in as his sound check was getting done. He introduced himself and his band. He was a gear head, meaning he loved to talk about his Amp, guitar, etc. I had gotten a new Amp, and while we were setting up, the sound man, an old friend came up and handed me the direct box for my bass. I said my new Amp has an out put, but he said no, your a great player, and I know how to make you sound good! We were arguing, playfully, and Ronnie walks over, put his hand on my shoulder and says, "Adam, learn how to take a compliment!". I said "Great! Your on his side". We play argued about 5 minutes before I gave in.
Anyone everyone who is blessed to see Ron Montrose live you are definitely blessed and Jesus Christ just been Mary he is one of the best guitarists ever and no s*** sure left or no s*** Sherlock
We still have the awesome Frank Marino!!! He keeps true rock alive. So sorry for Ronnie Montrose another master
Frank Marino of Mahogany Rush. Wow! Haven’t heard that name in years. My older brother had RUSH ‘Fly By Night’ (or was album entitled ‘Anthem’ ?, can’t remember) and Mahogany RUSH (no idea what title of album was)
My favorites Ritchie blackmore Gary Moore rik Emmitt Ronnie evh oh and number 2 guy Micheal shenker
I would love to have been at this gig!!
"Open Fire was the first instrumental album from Ronnie Montrose which explored jazz, rock and acoustic concepts in the vein of Blow by Blow by Jeff Beck. Ronnie dropped hints in previous Montrose albums that he was heading in this direction. It contained various jazz, acoustic, synthesizer and string elements that showed Ronnie was looking to branch out from his hard rock persona.
After the initial tour with Steve Smith on drums and on the strength of this effort, Montrose was then invited to tour Japan with accomplished jazz and jazz fusion drummer Tony Williams. In July 1978, Montrose joined Tony Williams, Brian Auger (keyboards), Mario Cipollina (bass) and special guest Billy Cobham also on drums for a series of concerts touring as the "Tony Williams All Stars". "Open Fire", "Rocky Road" and "Heads Up" were part of the setlist. A recording of "Open Fire" from one of the shows appears on The Joy of Flying by Tony Williams (1978)." -wiki/mw
I'd love to see that concert with Tony!
Searing tone, classical underlines, precise power chords, strange space noises. I am reminded of why I was such a big fan
Simply the best, I still rock him, never get tired of his guitar brilliance!!!!!
Great playing, RIP Ron
what a great guitar player this man was r i.p ronnie montrose
Ronnie Montrose an inovative badass ⚡
Great lead guitarist 🌟🌟🌟
Yeah this is probably one of the best and greatest heirs of Ronnie Montrose history🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤it..
Big drum sets and synthesizers. I dig 70's music!
I saw RM in the '80's at the Channel in Boston. I was directly in front of him and he had the wildest eyes that I've ever seen. Great concert. Rock In Peace!
Steve Smith on drums!!!!!!
OUT_F'NG_STANDING!!!!!
He's playing in perfect sync with that crazy sequencer at 2:28 - unreal.
I scanned the replies to confirm it was Steve Smith, young and fulla chops and stamina!
Yo Steve!
Was this when Journey was on this same bill with KISS ? As Journey cats are watching from the winging thinking “THIS is our next drummer !!!”
Geoff Gill Van Halen/Ronnie Montrose and Journey 1978 tour
Lol I thought that was Steve on drums, so cool!
When music had soul, and people were real, and cool. And style did not exist, we just put on a t shirt, jeans. 70s man ,,, I miss it.
OMG!!!! Thank you for posting this! I WAS THERE!!!! Opening act was none other than..........VAN HALEN!!!! Sammy Hagar went on to join Van Halen many years later after sharing a tour together!Thank You again for posting this....much appreciated!
Eddie Van Halen LOVED the way Ronnie played.
Hi, yes an avesome guitarist. Montrose first album❤
Certanly some of the greatest up to date.,,, all of them....
He was so good. Not a show boat. Played to the service of the song.
I've only been to a very few rock concerts in my lifetime, but one of them was Journey in May 1978 at Chrysler Hall in Norfolk, VA....and one of the "warm-up" artists in that concert was Ronnie Montrose and his band. Seriously, I don't think a "warm-up" artist ever did a better job of setting the whole place on fire than Ronnie did that night. Ronnie was indeed an exceptional guitarist, one of the best rock guitarists of all time in my opinion, as is very well demonstrated in this live video here.
Was that one of the shows that Van Halen opened, then Montrose then Journey? I saw that show in Fort Worth and bought EVERY front row set for my friends and it was one of the best concerts EVER. Van Halen kicked ASS and Montrose was solid, Journey was forgettable.
Saw that tour in Dayton, Ohio at Hara Arena. Journey was good, but definitely the weakest of the three and I was a fan of Journey way before Steve Perry ever dreamed of stardom. Was a HUGE fan of Ronnie Montrose since his Van Morrison days and Edgar Winter Group days as well. Van Halen started the night off with a sound that no one in the house had ever heard before. Great night! Great concert. The world lost one of the best when Ronnie passed away! Rock On Ronnie! RIP!
Saw that tour in Austin TX. Van Halen opened the show then Ronnie then Journey
Bob Welch Its interesting I saw journey back up Montrose at the Masonic temple in Detroit Michigan. Actually Van Halen went on first, then Journey and Montrose was the headliner on the "open fire" tour no singing tunes.
@@frankludwin2919Saw the same lineup in KCK circa Spring ‘78. Van Halen opened; then Montrose. As another commenter stated, Journey was underwhelming! Went and bought VH and Open Fire LPs the next day.
Great guitarist. I saw Gamma in my teen years. He was a fine talented musician.
Thanks for sharing! This was one of best concerts I ever say, though I saw in San Francisco at the Old Waldorf, was four seats away from stage! My all time favorite guitar album and one of my favorite guitarists of all times! Rest in peace Ronnie and keep on rocking for eternity!!!
Marino and Ronnie Montrose on the same bill!!!!!! WOW!!!!
I love this era - many thanks for posting this. Brilliant sound/video quality! The keyboards are sublime as well...
Saw this concert in Cleveland. One of the greatest shows ever. Montrose stole the show. Opening act was Van Halen, then Montrose, headliner was Journey (Infinity tour with Steve Perry). Ronnie was incredible on guitar, almost matched by Steve Smith on drums and the synthesizer was awesome! Consider that Journey stole Steve Smith immediately after this tour.
saw montrose, spooky tooth, and humble pie in the 70s. fan-freakin-tastic.
RIP Ronnie you were a great guitarist....
In 1975 I saw Ronnie with his band Montrose at the Jahrhunderthalle In Frankfurt/Hoechst as part of The Warner Brothers Music Show and it was great!
The group consisted of Ronnie, the then not yet so well-known Sammy Hagar on vocals and split jumps, Alan Fitzgerald, replacing Bill Church on bass and also playing keyboards (like John Paul Jones), and on drums Denny Carmassi, who later in his career played drums for Heart, David Coverdale and even Jimmy Page, among many others.
In my opinion it was an absolutely fantastic show, which featured the best of their until then two released albums (Rock The Nation + Paper Money); even the eerie theremin was included.
saw Ronnie at the Warehouse in New Orleans back in the 70's, great guitar player!!!
Ronnie was NEVER UNDERESTIMATED ONLY UNKNOWN EXCEPT BY THOSE WHO ARE IN THE KNOW OF THE GUITAR GODS
Steve Smith on drums... PHENOMENAL!!!
Cool, thanks for confirming because I thought that was him, he just shines here as usual. His insane drumming is one reason I took them up 40 odd years ago.
@@DidYouReadEULA Steve's also going to join Drumeo as an instructor in February.
I was blessed to see RM perform twice. Once with this line up and once when Carlos invited him on stage to Jam with Santana on a song. I will never forget hearing Space Station #9 for the first time as a young teen. R.I.P.
I’m crying watching this. Why Ronnie why!?! I’m still in mourning 🥺😢😭
beautiful soul 😭❤
I saw this concert (tour) for the album "Open Fire" back in 78. As I remember it was quite good. Reno Nevada
+Kyle Nielsen i saw him about then too. at the fairgrounds i think, and he made a flub during his single. he didn't have sammy with him and everybody was bummed out he didn't have ANY singer! rip ronnie
Yo también...Norfolk, Virginia. I played "Town Without Pity" for my Dad and, cockily asked if he knew the song......imagine my shock when he named it. The song was older than I realized.....joke was on me!
Me too ! Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa. Van Halen were 3rd on the bill and Journey were the headliners. Nowadays, I prefer to just remember Ronnies set and forget the others.
I remember buying the "Open Fire" album when it came out.
Thanks for posting such a rare gem!
Love discovering new classics like this, music way ahead of its time.
this was an amazing tour, saw in when I was 18, blew me away!
Thanks for posting. Great memories. I saw Montrose during this tour (on Long Island, NY) and many times prior to this. First time I saw Montrose was when they opened for Humble Pie in 1974. Dennie's drums sounded great in the PA - booming bass drum. Montrose just exploded on the music scene.
I was there at 17 great time hanging out with highschool friends I had my 69 Nova 396 still have my car RACE IT ON WEEKENDS SAMMY WAS GREAT
I had a 66ss 327 350h.p. Chavelle. Can we get back to our world!!! From Detroit rock city 64 this year Have a new frankenstra, and it's the best playing guitar.I've ever had my hands-on.I want more
Ronnie montrose one bed motor motor scooter !,🎸🎸🔊🔊RIP ,,mister MONTROSE WITH THE OTHER MASSTER 🎸🎸🎸up there 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🎶🎶
steve smith on drums!! neal schon and steve smith w ricky phillips of styx on bass played this at Ronnie's memorial show in SF..incredible, love live ronnie!
You're right. I was at the show too. We got VH's album a couple days before the concert. Also, I was a huge fan of Journey at the time. Their new album with Perry also dropped a couple weeks before and I hated it. For me it was the end of Journey. (I understand many fans don't feel the same way.)
On my short list of BEST.
Oh, yes! Ronnie! First live act I ever saw. Ran out and bought a Lab Series L5 after hearing how Ronnie made those amps sing.
This is a gem!!! As great as Steve Smith's solo is here, it's pretty amazing how much more advanced his chops are in the Captured solo not even two years later. Thanks very much for this upload. God, I love RUclips.
I was at this concert it was at the palladium Ronnie opened for van Halen that just released their first album and than the opening act journey supporting their infinity album it was truly a magical night...this was the monster jam back in the day...the great drum solo by Steve smith was amazing . which later replaced he late Ansley Dunbar in journey ...I listen to all three bands today they are as relevant today as yesterday...R.I.P. RONNIE...
I was at this show also ! What a great triple bill I think the tickets were 8 bucks
In Chicago van Halen hit the stage first we didn't even know who they were what a show
Something very special !
This was my concert heyday and I never saw Montrose. Between 75 and 79 I must have gone to 125 concerts. Not seeing Montrose is a big regret. I'm from NYC too. It was easy to see them and still didn't. Damn.
fuck yeah kick ass concert from ronnie montrose and his band. live new york city 4th march 1978. just wow. love this ronnie is fun to watch him here live kicking butt on his guitar. wish he was still here underrated genius. and poor ronnie fought depression his whole life never thought he was a good enough guitar. sad that depression took his own life. wish the man was still here. ronnie mate you was damm fucking amazing. unsung music hero.
Totally agree, he's a pioneer of the rock n metal music we enjoy today. Parents need to teach their kids about these people so we don't lose their memory
Scott H i know right dude. he means a lot to us.
Saw Ronnie once at The Bodega in Campbell, CA. He was playing guitar with one hand and swinging from the low hanging rafter with the other hand. Legend. RIP.
Town without pity!!
FUN FACT about THIS TOUR:
Opening Act was VAN HALEN (first tour).
Ronnie Montrose followed.
Journey was headliner....and got their ass kicked by the first two bands.........
Thanks for that refreshing post. Refreshing ,because I'd seen Montrose as an opener doing this exact set. Great stuff !
Check out his lead in Space Station #5 ...
Unbelievable!
First Montrose album
Loved that acoustic piece.
So good!!!
How in the heel am I iz sposed to post anyting MY EYEZ JUS FELL OUTA DA HEAD !!! MONSTA MONTROSE !!!
At his shows before I in the sand and the band I told my bud he looked like a bumbel bee playing he was my favorite live he was Aman on 🔥 fire so nice no ego I loved the dude s ambition always doing something new in all musical aeras god bless Ronnie Montrose rest peacefully brother playing bass with my hero was the greatest thing ever
Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant! Jaw Dropping!
Saw him in late '74 when he was touring to promote "Paper Money". Hagar, Denny Carmassi, and Bill Church rounded out the band. They and Foghat were opening for J Geils, and after Montrose and Foghat were done, He was a big let down, so we left. To this day, probably the most memorable Rock Concert I have been to, and I have seen a few.
Helluva drummer too!
Outstanding show! Thank you for posting :)
This concert reminds me of “Blow by Blow” by Jeff Beck. That album had a powerful influence on a lot of people.
yes,really good band thanks!
I'm thinking the date is wrong for this show? I was at the show, 4th row orchestra dead center at the Palladium. An unknown Van Halen opened, Ronnie Montrose 2nd bill and Journey (first tour with Steve Perry) as headliners. Incredible show. Date was 3/25/78.
Rob Leddy I was there too great show
@@artfleshgordon Montrose was prog rock at this point and killing it.
Rob, that reminds me now what show it was that I unintentionally caught a Journey set at while going for the supporting act. It was easy to tell Journey was focusing on a stadium and arena presentation even though it was a theater date. Unfortunately for me, Van Halen wasn't on the Rochester bill.
@@greasyfingers2699 That's weird that Van Halen wasn't on the bill. This site claims that they were on that bill in Rochester at the Memorial Auditorium. Not that these sites are always accurate... www.concertarchives.org/bands/montrose?page=2#concert-table
Ok..but did you enjoyed RM show or not?
This is incredible!
I have Ronnie's guitar pick and the ticket stub from the show I that sat in the first row.
RONNIE MONTROSE
Gamma 1 and 2 are really good Ronnie Montrose albums
OMG so loud! Rock n roll!
Wooooww!!!!!!!!!! FANTASTICO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!😈❤️
I had no idea either!? pure rock and roll. no wonder Sammy is so good.
Conn ST-11s everywhere. I love it!
The date and the set list are screwed up. This actually was performed at the Palladium on a Saturday on March 25, 1978 and I saw him the night before outside of Philadelphia at the Tower Theater.
Open Fire
Mandolinia/Merry-Go-Round
Rocky Road
Tuft-Sedge
One and a Half
Town Without Pity
Starliner
Ronnie Montrose - Guitars
Jim Alcivar - Keyboards, Sequencer
Steve Smith - Drums
? - Keyboards
? - Bass
Anybody who doesn't like Ryan Montrose Ronnie Montrose just hasn't been paying attention through the years
Absolutely incredible! What a f***in composer, musician, arranger, and I guess most of all, GUITAR VIRTUOSO is RONNIE MONTROSE. What an f'n brilliant concert, brilliant band too. Ronnie-electric and acoustic guitars, Jim Alcivar-synthesizers/keyboards, Steve Smith(who was stolen w/Ronnie's blessings -by Journey--after this tour)-drums, as far as the bass player and incredible second keyboard/organist, I need help. Alan Fitzgerald played bass on the Open Fire album, but the guy playing bass onstage seems to have a different build, taller, more muscular, and much more hair than I ever saw Fitz with. Second keybordist looks a little like Mitchell Froom, albeit with much longer hair than in 1982 & 1983 when played with Ronnie on GAMMA 3, and the instrumental jazz/rock fusion duo Montrose/Froom...but this guy onstage is not wearing glasses.