Sammy Hagar

A boundlessly energetic and powerful singer for over four decades, Sammy Hagar served as frontman for the 1970s rock outfit Montrose before gaining worldwide fame as a member of Van Halen during its most successful period in the late 1980s and early '90s. Though few would have described Hagar's sonic attack as subtle, he possessed a formidable voice capable of cutting through even the loudest instrumental din, which made him ideal for such high-volume acts as Van Halen. Hagar came to the iconic California rock group after two decades as a solo performer and a brief stint with Montrose; guitarist Eddie Van Halen's admiration for that group led to Hagar joining the VH fold in 1986 and launching an exceptionally prolific and successful decade-long run with the band. Tensions between Van Halen and Hagar led to his departure in 1996, after which he resumed his solo career while enjoying remarkable returns on various business ventures, including a restaurant chain and tequila line. In 2008, he formed Chickenfoot with former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony and guitarist Joe Satriani, which generated a Top 10 album with its eponymous 2009 album. Its positive reception underscored Hagar's remarkable ability to stay pertinent with rock audiences over the course of a long and favored career.