Montrose was an American hard rock band formed in 1973 by guitarist Ronnie Montrose. Often credited as one of the first American heavy metal bands, Montrose played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of 1970s hard rock. Their self-titled debut album is widely regarded as a classic and featured vocalist Sammy Hagar, who later gained fame with Van Halen. Though the band underwent several lineup changes over the years, Montrose left a lasting impact with their powerful guitar-driven sound and energetic performances.