NOTORIOUS RED ROCKER SAMMY HAGAR TO TELL ALL AT CANADIAN MUSIC WEEK 2011

TORONTO, Dec. 15 /CNW/ - He is the multi-platinum Red Rocker - the outgoing, bombastic front man of hard rock champions Van Halen, the man who won't drive 55, and the man currently fronting his own supergroup, Chickenfoot. Better known as Sammy Hagar to the masses, he is one of rock music's most successful and notorious singers. On Saturday, March 12, he will be the subject on an exclusive interview at Canadian Music Week - taking place at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto - sharing the stories of his formidable rise through rock music and private enterprise.

For over 30 years, Sammy Hagar, also known as "The Red Rocker", has been a fixture in heavy metal music. From the Montrose albums that are an essential part of the foundation of what became heavy metal, through a solo career that produced such hits as "I Can't Drive 55", to his decade long stint as the front man for Van Halen, Hagar has sold millions of albums all over the world.

Taking over for Van Halen's original singer David Lee Roth in 1985, Hagar took the band to unprecedented heights, including four consecutive No. 1 albums, before being unceremoniously fired in 1996. Eight years later, he returned triumphant, leading the band on a reunion tour that was a box office smash. 

Throughout his career, Hagar, a guitarist himself, has played with a succession of genius guitar players; from Ronnie Montrose and Neal Schon to Eddie Van Halen and Joe Satriani from his current group, Chickenfoot, which also features former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith.  Endorsed by Gibson, the guitar company introduced a new signature Les Paul for Hagar earlier this year in celebration of his role in Chickenfoot's success. The guitar features a look and appointments chosen by Hagar.

As a songwriter, his songs have been covered by other artists, including Bette Midler and Rick Springfield, whose 1981 Top Ten hit, "I've Done Everything For You," was written by Hagar.

In addition to his legendary status among rock stars, he is the masterful entrepreneur behind the Mexican resort Cabo Wabo Cantina he founded in 1990 and home of the handmade premium Cabo Wabo tequila - the most successful new tequila brand in the liquor business in years. Hagar has since expanded his restaurant chain with Cabo Wabo Cantinas in Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe and a series of airport restaurants, Sammy's Beach Bar and Grill that raise money for local charities.

In his autobiography RED: My Uncensored Life In Rock, set for release on Saturday, March 12 through HarperCollins, Hagar tells the outrageous and unbelievable stories of his rise through rock music, detailing how his voice became instantly recognizable all over the world. Lavishing readers with behind the scenes stories from Van Halen, one of the biggest rock groups in history, Hagar tells of the global stadium tours, private jets, parties, and of course the ups and downs that came with fame and success.

For a rare look into the life behind the man, visit the Canadian Music Week website - www.cmw.net - to register for your Canadian Music Week delegate pass.

ABOUT GIBSON GUITAR:

Gibson is known worldwide for producing classic models in every major style of fretted instrument, including acoustic and electric guitars, mandolins, and banjos. The Gibson Les Paul guitar is the best selling guitar of all time and bears the name of the late, great Les Paul. Gibson's HD.6X-PRO Digital Guitar, the Gibson Robot Guitar, Gibson's Dark Fire and the new Gibson Dusk Tiger represent the biggest advances in electric guitar design in over 70 years. The Gibson Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Gibson Guitar Corp., and dedicates its time and services to making the place a better world for children through its support of music, education, health and human services. Founded in 1894 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and headquartered in Nashville since 1984, Gibson Guitar Corp.'s family of brands now includes Epiphone, Dobro, Kramer, Steinberger, Tobias, Echoplex, Electar, Flatiron, Slingerland, Valley Arts, Maestro, Oberheim, Baldwin, Sunshine Piano, Take Anywhere Technology, J&C Fischer, Chickering, Hamilton, and Wurlitzer. Visit Gibson's website at www.gibson.com. Follow Gibson Guitar at www.twitter.com/gibsonlifestyle and www.facebook.com/gibsonguitar.

ABOUT CANADIAN MUSIC WEEK:

Canadian Music Week is Canada's leading annual entertainment event dedicated to the expression and growth of the country's music, media and entertainment industries. Combining four information-intensive conferences; a trade exposition; a film festival; four awards shows and the nation's largest New Music Festival - Canadian Music Fest - CMW spans a five-day period from March 9 to March 13, 2011 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel and various downtown Toronto venues, attracting participants from across the globe. For more information, visit www.cmw.net.

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For further information:

For Sammy Hagar and Gibson Guitar information, please contact:

Gibson Guitar: Tina Simpkin
T: 416.531.4327 E: [email protected]

For Canadian Music Week information, please contact:

Planet3 Communications: Piera Savage/Joanne Smale
T: 647.346.4101 E: [email protected]

Bessie Bullard - Communications Director
T: 905.858.4747 E: [email protected]