Bad Motor Scooter (Live 1978)

Zoo Freaks, you’re tuned into THE ZOO with the Zoo Crew, your favorite hippie DJs spinning the wildest vinyl vibes! Right now, we’re cranking up the high-octane live version of Bad Motor Scooter from Sammy Hagar’s 1978 album All Night Long. This tune, originally from Hagar’s days with Montrose, is a rock ‘n’ roll classic with a killer intro that mimics a revving motorcycle. Fun fact: that iconic sound was born when guitarist Ronnie Montrose messed around with a slide and fuzz box in the studio, playing in Open D tuning. Producer Ted Templeman and engineer Donn Landee missed the first take because they didn’t hit record in time, but Montrose nailed it again, giving the song its unforgettable hook. Sammy himself has said this was the first song he ever wrote, a claim he made on Chickenfoot’s Best + Live album, and it’s been a staple in his sets ever since.

Another cool tidbit, Zoo Freaks, is how this song came to life on stage. When Montrose performed it live, Sammy would whip out a lap steel slide guitar for that motorcycle intro, revving up the crowd. Fast forward to his supergroup Chickenfoot—with Joe Satriani, Michael Anthony, and Chad Smith—Sammy kept that tradition alive. At a Montrose tribute concert, Satriani put his own spin on it, using his guitar’s whammy bar instead of a slide. Fans on Lyrics.com have shared personal stories, like one couple who rediscovered the song years after their courtship, tying it to their love for Hagar’s Three Lock Box. Posts on X from Sammy’s official account celebrate the song’s legacy, like a 2019 post marking the 46th anniversary of the Montrose album, calling out Bad Motor Scooter as a fan favorite.

Let’s talk about how Sammy Hagar, the Red Rocker, kicked off his legendary career. Born Samuel Roy Hagar on October 13, 1947, in Salinas, California, he grew up in a working-class family, with his dad, Robert, bouncing between jobs. Music was Sammy’s escape, and by his teens, he was singing in local bands like the Fabulous Castilles. His big break came in 1973 when he joined the hard rock band Montrose, fronting their self-titled debut album that dropped bangers like Bad Motor Scooter and Rock Candy. Hagar’s raw vocals and songwriting chops made him stand out, but tensions with Ronnie Montrose led to his exit after two albums. Undeterred, Sammy launched a solo career with 1976’s Nine on a Ten Scale, building his “Red Rocker” persona with hits like Red. By the late ’70s, he was selling out shows in Texas and California, and his 1978 live album All Night Long captured that raw energy. From there, he soared, joining Van Halen in 1985 and later founding ventures like Cabo Wabo Cantina.

Zoo Freaks, you can keep up with Sammy Hagar’s latest gigs, tequilas, and rock ‘n’ roll adventures on his official website, redrocker.com. Follow him on socials for the freshest updates: Facebook, Instagram, and X. Want to connect with fellow Red Rockers? Check out fan communities like the Official Sammy Hagar Redheads Facebook group, where fans share concert stories and love for the Red Rocker. For tribute band vibes, peep badmotorscooterband.com, home of Chicago’s top Sammy Hagar tribute act. Now, crank that volume, hop on your bad motor scooter, and ride with the Zoo Crew all night long!