By: Rob Cavuoto
Legendary rock icon Ronnie Montrose has been called the “Father of American Hard Rock,” an innovator and an incendiary guitar genius. For the first time fans of Ronnie Montrose will have the opportunity to bid on a vast array of instruments, personal items and memorabilia from the late genius’ musical life which will benefit the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund.
Highlights of the Montrose Collection at Julien’s Auctions’ upcoming Icons & Idols: Rock n’ Roll event can be viewed at juliensauctions.com with the auction taking place December 6th and 7th.
When Ronnie passed away last March, friends and musicians immediately wondered what they could do to pay homage to one of rock’s all-time legendary guitarists. The result was some of music’s most renowned artists uniting for a concert to perform Ronnie’s classics hits throughout the evening. Fans can experience this night in an official DVD release due out December 10, 2013, Concert for Ronnie Montrose – A Celebration of His Life In Music.
Colleagues and people he mentored and produced over the 40 years of his career are featured in this DVD, including Neal Schon [Journey], Ricky Phillips [Styx], Steve Smith [ex-Journey], Ed Roth, Jimmy Paxson [Stevie Nicks], Jeff Watson [ex-Night Ranger], Tesla, Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer [Kiss], Eric Martin [Mr. Big].
I spoke to Ronnie’s wife, Leighsa, about the auction and the special night of this concert.
******
Robert Cavuoto: Tell me a little bit about the decision to auction Ronnie’s equipment and donate some of the proceeds to charity?
Leighsa Montrose: I waited for a bit of time to pass before putting his things up for auction. It took a lot of meetings of the mind, shall we say. I really had to think this one out. And in the end, I deferred to how Ronnie would handle this? What advice would he give me? I just know he would say, “Please share these instruments with people who will enjoy them.”
Robert: You are working with the charity, Sweet Relief, what made them your first choice?
Leighsa Montrose: They helped musicians who are suffering from debilitating ailments, but also they help musicians with housing and things like that. There’s only a very small percentage of musicians who make it. So again, I go back to Ronnie. He often said, “That’s not an easy life. We’ve got to find some avenue.” He was such a giver and so Sweet Relief seemed like the right choice.
I worked with them before and believe in everything they stand for. I know Ronnie did too. He told me many times. He would always tell me if we could be there for each other, it would mean the world to him. So they’re the group I thought of first.
Robert: Did you keep any equipment for yourself?
Leighsa Montrose: I did. I kept two guitars. It’s not about the guitars; as you can imagine being as his wife, there are other items in our home like little notes which he wrote me which mean more than anything else. And my memories with him of course. Music was just another side of him. He would often tell me that’s just his job. That’s not who he was at home.
I would say to Ronnie, “Why don’t you have more guitars?” He would say “I only want to use guitars as a tool for my craft. I don’t want to be a collector.” So he would often change out guitars, or he’d have me get rid of a guitar for him. It was just his nature.
Robert: I would imagine the guitar he called, “Flat Top Red,” was a very special guitar to him.
Leighsa Montrose Oh, it definitely is. I think that was the one guitar that was his go to that really helped define and make the sound that he wanted to convey when he was playing.
Robert: You must have some memorable stories about when Sammy Hagar was in Montrose. Is there anything that you could share about those early days and their friendship?
Leighsa Montrose: Ronnie said that when they were together, it was like no time had passed. I remember we were driving in the car and he said, “It’s like we’re brothers.” Because we get together a year from now, ten years from now, or talk to each other on the phone when we haven’t for years and years; it’s like no time has passed.”
Robert: Now, there’s a DVD coming out – Concert for Ronnie Montrose – A Celebration of his Life in Music.
Leighsa Montrose Yes. It was pretty incredible, and it really did take me back. After he passed, we had this concert at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco. I can’t believe how many musicians came together for him. I think we had a total of 35 that played that night. It was just breathtaking for me. I could see the love, honor, and admiration that people had for Ronnie. I just wish he would have been there that night. He would have been speechless. I was very excited that people were going to get to see that on DVD.
Robert: It’s always a shame that people wait to honor someone after they pass, rather when they are around to really appreciate it.
Leighsa Montrose Oh, you’re so right. I wish I could have had something for him like this when he was alive, because I think it would have really meant so much to him. I think it would have showed him a lot that he didn’t give himself credit for sometimes.
Robert: There must be a flood of memories that come to mind from the filming that day. Is there anything that sticks out to you perhaps a song or performance?
Leighsa Montrose: I would have to say the kindness and the coming together of everyone. There was something I liked from everything. I truly loved Montrose and their rendition of “Space Station #5” with Joe Satriani. I have to say I loved everything from Gamma and on and on. There was also “Frankenstein.”
For me, I always have to go to the song, “One and a Half” that CJ Hutchins played that night with Jimmy Paxton and Ed Roth. That is a song that’s our home song. Ronnie would play that every morning when he was warming up. I’d missed hearing that song that song. I’d heard it every day for years and years.
Robert: Ronnie had an incredible career. Was there any one particular period of time that he liked or was most proud of?
Leighsa Montrose: Well, I think Open Fire when he went solo. Moving forward he did an acoustic CD called Bearings. It’s absolutely beautiful. He said to me “that was the piece I’m most proud of.” Think of “Open Fire” and “Town Without Pity,” then you go to Bearings and you’re like, “Wow, I didn’t know this side of Ronnie.” It’s absolutely gorgeous.
Robert: Is there anything you want to say to Ronnie’s fans and friends?
Leighsa Montrose: I’d like to say to the fans and to the artists that played that night, thank you, thank you, thank you for loving Ronnie. For seeing him the way that we do, as a kind, approachable man and amazing artist. Thank you for being there for him and never forgetting him. I want to say thank everyone for coming so quickly after his passing and showing the love for him and sharing your time and your artistry. It would have meant the world to Ronnie.
