Make It Last

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as we spin "Make It Last" by Montrose from their killer 1973 self-titled debut album! This track, penned by the one and only Sammy Hagar, is a raw, high-energy anthem that captures the gritty essence of early hard rock. Did you know Sammy brought this song to his audition with Ronnie Montrose? According to posts on Reddit, Hagar wowed Ronnie with "Make It Last," sealing his spot as the band’s frontman. Sammy himself reminisced about performing it on X, noting a 1973 Midnight Special appearance where he and Ronnie traded vocals on the outro, chanting "keep on rollin’." That’s right, Zoo Freaks, Ronnie’s rare backing vocals make this tune extra special!

Another cool tidbit comes from the song’s legacy. Fans on Reddit rave about how the entire Montrose album, including "Make It Last," feels ahead of its time, dropping in ’73, a full five years before Van Halen’s game-changing debut. The track’s raw power and Hagar’s soaring vocals made it a staple for Bay Area rockers, with some fans recalling playing it in their first bands as teens. Sammy’s performances of the song over the years, like one as late as 2004, show its staying power—his voice barely changed, according to a fan comment on Reddit. It’s the kind of song that makes you wanna crank the volume and let the good vibes roll, Zoo Crew style!

Now, let’s rewind and talk about how Montrose got their start. The band was born in 1973, brainchild of guitarist Ronnie Montrose, a San Francisco native who’d already made waves as a session musician. Before forming Montrose, Ronnie played on Van Morrison’s Tupelo Honey and laid down iconic riffs with the Edgar Winter Group, including the monster hit "Frankenstein." Hungry to lead his own project, Ronnie recruited a then-unknown Sammy Hagar on vocals, alongside bassist Bill Church and drummer Denny Carmassi, both Bay Area talents. According to Wikipedia, the band’s chemistry clicked fast, landing them a deal with Warner Bros. thanks to producer Ted Templeman, who’d worked with Ronnie and Bill on Van Morrison’s sessions. Their debut gig, billed as “Ronnie Montrose and Friends,” aired live on KSAN FM in April 1973, and the rest is rock history!

For all you Zoo Freaks wanting to dive deeper, check out Montrose’s legacy online. While there’s no official band website, Ronnie Montrose’s official site is a treasure trove of history and tributes. You can also follow Sammy Hagar’s Facebook and Instagram for throwbacks to his Montrose days, or catch his posts on X. Fans keep the flame alive on Facebook groups like the Montrose fan community, where diehards share stories and rare photos. For more, scope out Last.fm for bio details and track insights. Keep rockin’, Zoo Freaks, and let’s make this Montrose moment last!