Bad Motor Scooter

The Zoo Crew is spinning the classic track "Bad Motor Scooter" by Montrose from their 1973 debut album Montrose, and the Zoo Freaks are loving it! This song, written by lead singer Sammy Hagar, is a hard rock anthem with a iconic intro that mimics a revving motorcycle. The sound was created by guitarist Ronnie Montrose using a slide guitar in Open D tuning, paired with a fuzz box, as he improvised in the studio. Producer Ted Templeman and engineer Donn Landee nearly missed capturing this magic moment because the tape wasn’t rolling, but once they got it, it became the song’s defining hook. Sammy Hagar has shared on his Facebook and in interviews, like one featured on Songfacts, that "Bad Motor Scooter" was the first song he ever wrote, making it a milestone in his career. The lyrics tell a playful story of a young man urging his lover to ride her "bad motor scooter" to his place, dodging her intimidating father, which adds a rebellious, youthful vibe that resonates with fans.

Another cool tidbit comes from a 2019 post by Sammy Hagar on X, where he celebrated the 46th anniversary of the Montrose album, highlighting a 1974 performance of "Bad Motor Scooter" with the original lineup: Hagar, Ronnie Montrose, Bill “Electric” Church on bass, and Denny Carmassi on drums. This clip, also shared on Hagar’s Instagram, showcases the band’s raw energy on The Old Grey Whistle Test. The song’s influence extends beyond Montrose, inspiring the title of Soundgarden’s 1991 album Badmotorfinger, a nod to its gritty riff. When Hagar performed it with Chickenfoot, Joe Satriani recreated the motorcycle sound using a whammy bar, as noted in a Wikipedia entry, showing the song’s lasting impact. Fans on the Montrose Fan Club Facebook group often share stories of seeing the band live in the ‘70s, with one recalling a 1974 show opening for The Who, calling it “scorching hard rock from start to finish.”

Montrose formed in 1973 in California, led by guitarist Ronnie Montrose, who had already made a name for himself as a session musician. Before forming the band, Ronnie played on Van Morrison’s Tupelo Honey and Saint Dominic’s Preview, as well as Edgar Winter’s hit “Frankenstein.” His experience with these artists, detailed on AllMusic, gave him a versatile edge, blending psychedelic and hard rock influences. Seeking to front his own project, Ronnie recruited a then-unknown Sammy Hagar, whose powerful vocals were a perfect fit for the band’s high-energy sound. Bassist Bill Church, who had worked with Ronnie on Van Morrison’s records, and drummer Denny Carmassi, who followed Hagar into the project, completed the lineup. Produced by Ted Templeman, the debut album was recorded at Warner Bros. Studios and Sunset Sound Recorders in Hollywood, as noted on Wikipedia’s French page. Despite only reaching No. 133 on the Billboard 200, the album gained cult status, with “Bad Motor Scooter” and “Rock Candy” earning radio play and later platinum certification in 1986.

Ronnie Montrose’s journey started in San Francisco, where he absorbed the city’s rich musical scene before becoming a sought-after session player. Sammy Hagar, born in Salinas, California, was a nightclub singer and part-time boxer before joining Montrose, a gig that launched his career, leading to solo success and later fronting Van Halen. The band’s raw, arena-ready sound, described on Last.fm as a template for bands like Van Halen, came from their tight chemistry and Ronnie’s innovative guitar work, often using a Gibson Les Paul and a Big Muff fuzzbox. Sadly, Ronnie Montrose passed away in 2012, but his legacy lives on through fan communities like the Ronnie Montrose Official Facebook page and sites like ronniemontrose.com. Sammy Hagar remains active, engaging fans on Instagram and X, where he often reflects on his Montrose days. For Zoo Freaks looking to dive deeper, check out the Montrose Fan Club or sammyhagar.com for more on the Red Rocker’s ongoing adventures.