A Whiter Shade of Pale

The Zoo Crew is spinning a classic today with "A Whiter Shade of Pale" by Hagar, Schon, Aaronson, Shrieve (HSAS) from their 1984 album Through the Fire. This cover of Procol Harum’s iconic song was the band’s only single, peaking at No. 94 on the Billboard Hot 100. Recorded live at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco, the track captures the raw energy of the supergroup’s brief but electrifying performances. In a 2011 memoir excerpt, Sammy Hagar described the HSAS project as a whirlwind: “We wrote it in a week, rehearsed for a week, then played it.” The band sold out 12 Bay Area shows, donating proceeds to local music programs, though Hagar noted the album never caught fire commercially, selling only about 150,000 copies despite his and Journey’s million-selling status. Fans on YouTube recall the live gigs fondly, with one commenter reminiscing about seeing HSAS at the Warfield, calling it “Sammy and Schon at their finest.”

Another tidbit from the live recordings: the Warfield shows on November 14 and 15, 1983, were filmed by MTV, but the footage never saw an official release. A full concert also aired on Westwood One radio, giving Zoo Freaks a chance to hear tracks like “Movin’ In for the Kill” and “Hope and Fear” that didn’t make the album. Neal Schon, in a 2024 Vintage Guitar interview, shared that HSAS wrote around 20 songs, many more experimental than what ended up on Through the Fire. He admitted, “Those that didn’t make it were a lot more intricate… everyone screwed them up.” The band’s cover of “A Whiter Shade of Pale” clocks in at 73 BPM, a slow, dreamy tempo that lets Hagar’s vocals and Schon’s guitar soar, as noted on GetSongBPM.

HSAS was a rock supergroup formed by Sammy Hagar (vocals), Neal Schon (guitar), Kenny Aaronson (bass), and Michael Shrieve (drums). Hagar, already a star from Montrose and his solo career, kicked things off in the early 1970s. After dropping out of high school, he played in local California bands like Samson & Hagar, gaining notice for his gritty voice. His big break came with Montrose in 1973, where albums like Montrose cemented his hard-rock cred. Schon, a guitar prodigy, joined Santana at 15, playing at Woodstock in 1969. By 1973, he co-founded Journey, blending prog-rock with melodic hooks that led to arena-filling success. Aaronson, a seasoned bassist, cut his teeth with Dust in the early 1970s before backing Rick Derringer and touring with Billy Idol, bringing a punk edge to HSAS. Shrieve, another Santana alum, was a jazz-rock innovator, famous for his Woodstock drum solo. The four came together in 1983 after Hagar’s Three Lock Box and Journey’s Frontiers, jamming in Oakland with a “live progressive-rock” vision, as Schon told Vintage Guitar.

While HSAS didn’t maintain an official band website or social media, its members are active online. Sammy Hagar’s official website dives into his solo career, Van Halen years, and current projects like Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates on tours and tequila ventures. Neal Schon’s official website covers his Journey work and solo projects, with posts on Facebook, Instagram, and X sharing tour dates and guitar gear. Kenny Aaronson’s Facebook page connects with fans, though he’s less active on Instagram or X. Michael Shrieve’s website explores his Santana legacy and jazz work, with updates on Facebook and Instagram.

Fan communities keep the HSAS spirit alive. The Hagar Schon Aaronson Shrieve Wiki on Fandom offers tracklists and trivia, though it’s sparse. Sammy Hagar fan groups like Redheads – Sammy Hagar Fan Club on Facebook buzz with HSAS nostalgia, sharing bootlegs and concert stories. Journey fans on Journey Fan Group often discuss Schon’s HSAS era, while Santana fan pages like Santana Fan Club celebrate Shrieve’s contributions. Zoo Freaks can dig into these spaces for rare photos and setlists, keeping the vibe of “A Whiter Shade of Pale” spinning strong.