Piece Of My Heart

Zoo Freaks, get ready to crank up the volume as The Zoo Crew spins Piece of My Heart by Sammy Hagar from his iconic 1982 album Standing Hampton. This track is a high-energy cover of the romantic funk/soul classic, originally written by Jerry Ragovoy and Bert Berns and recorded by Erma Franklin in 1967. It gained massive fame through Janis Joplin’s 1968 version with Big Brother and the Holding Company, which landed at number 353 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and is part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. Hagar’s rendition, featured on his first Geffen Records release, adds a hard rock edge with a standout saxophone solo that fans on redrocker.com rave about, calling it a fresh spin on a timeless tune. One fan on the site shared how Standing Hampton changed their life, recalling receiving the cassette and concert tickets as a birthday gift from their first love, a long-haired guitarist who adored Hagar’s raw energy.

The song’s inclusion on Standing Hampton, which went platinum and hit number 28 on the US Billboard 200, marked a pivotal moment for Hagar. Fans on Sammy Hagar’s official Facebook page, with over 1 million likes, often cite the album’s closer, Piece of My Heart, as a nod to Janis Joplin’s passionate vocal style, with some noting Hagar’s own gritty delivery seems inspired by her. A commenter on redrocker.com praised the track’s “amazing lyrics” and its place on what they call Hagar’s best solo album, highlighting its balanced mix of hard rock and soulful vibes. The album’s success, driven by tracks like this cover, helped cement Hagar’s reputation as a solo artist before he joined Van Halen.

Sammy Hagar, born Samuel Roy Hagar on October 13, 1947, in Salinas, California, kicked off his career in the early 1970s as the lead singer of the hard rock band Montrose. According to his bio on redrocker.com, Hagar’s journey began in a San Francisco cover band when he was spotted by guitarist Ronnie Montrose. He joined Montrose, appearing on their debut and second albums, where he wrote his first song, Bad Motor Scooter. After creative clashes led to his departure, Hagar launched a solo career with Capitol Records, releasing his debut album Nine on a Ten Scale in 1976. His 1977 album Sammy Hagar, also known as the Red album, earned him the nickname “The Red Rocker” and caught the attention of fans, including those at radio station KSHE in St. Louis, which he credits for boosting his early career. By the time he moved to Geffen Records for Standing Hampton, Hagar had honed his high-energy, guitar-driven hard rock style, setting the stage for hits like I Can’t Drive 55.

Hagar’s official online presence is vibrant, with his website redrocker.com serving as the hub for tour dates, music, and fan stories. His Facebook page keeps fans updated with posts about his latest projects, like his 2025 Las Vegas residency at Park MGM. On Instagram, Hagar shares behind-the-scenes glimpses of his tours and entrepreneurial ventures, such as his Cabo Wabo Tequila brand. His X account engages fans with personal anecdotes and music news, like the recent Van Halen vinyl release for Record Store Day. Fans also connect through communities like the Redheads Rule - Sammy Hagar Fan Group on Facebook, where enthusiasts share concert memories and celebrate his music. Another fan site, ClassicRockHistory.com, dives deep into Hagar’s discography, calling Standing Hampton a turning point in his career.