The first member to leave was Bill Church, who was later replaced by Alan Fitzgerald for the band's second (and final album) with Hagar on vocals that they titled 'Paper Money' (Warner Bros., 1974). After departing, Hagar released a succession of solo albums in the mid-to-late 70s and early 80s (often with the remaining members of Montrose) as well as a one-off live album with the band Hagar Schon Aaronson Shrieve. He joined Van Halen in the mid 1980s. As a band Montrose released a further two albums on Warner Brothers, Warner Brothers Presents ...Montrose (1975) and Jump on It, both featuring Bob James on vocals, and new member Jim Alcivar on keyboards. On Jump On It Fitzgerald was replaced on bass by Randy Jo Hobbs.
Whilst Montrose failed to make the kind of impact their pioneering early work merited, they have nonetheless influenced a whole generation of hard rock and metal bands. A rare snatch of their brilliance as a stage band can be heard in the Barbara Striesand film 'A Star is Born' (1976), which features an unseen Montrose hammering out a scintillating version of one of their greatest songs, Rock Candy, as Streisand arrives backstage.
Prior to forming the band Ronnie Montrose, had been a successful session musician (playing, along with Bill Church on Van Morrison's 1971 Tupelo Honey album, also produced by Ted Templeman, and on albums by Beaver & Krause and Herbie Hancock). He was also a member of The Edgar Winter Band, playing on such hit singles as 'Free Ride', which was from the best-selling album 'They Only Come Out at Night' (1972). The guitarist later formed another band in the hard rock mould in the early 1980s, named Gamma, who featured Denny Carmassi, of the original Montrose band and late of Sammy Hagar's band, Jim Alcivar from Montrose, and a Scottish singer named Davey Pattison.
In its original incarnation, Gamma released several albums on Elektra records ('Gamma 1', 'Gamma 2', and 'Gamma 3') before splitting.
The original Montrose line-up reuinited on Sammy Hagar's Marching to Mars (1997) performing "Leaving the Warmth of the Womb" and on stage as an encore at a few Sammy concerts in 2003 and 2005.
Those with sharp ears heard the FM rock radio staple "Rock Candy" on an episode of "My Name Is Earl" in 2008 on NBC.
Make It Last
Montrose Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My father told me, pick your dreams
He said life ain't easy as it seems
When you get older you'll see what I mean
At the time, I wanted to be twenty-one
It seemed the right age for havin' fun
But when I got there I was still too young
But now I live my life from day to day
'Cause I wouldn't have it any other way
Whether I'm twelve or whether I'm sixty-four
I spend my time like there ain't gonna be no more
You know that sweet girl you've been chasin' round
She got you hooked 'long as she keeps you down
Well, I know what happens once she comes around
It won't be long and you'll be back on the town
But now I live my life from day to day
I wouldn't have it any other way
Whether I'm twelve or whether I'm sixty-four
I spend my time like there ain't gonna be no more
Lord, yes alright
Things between, they suit you right
But once you get them it seems like they're all alike
So make it last as long as you can
It's so much easier when you understand
But now I live my life from day to day
I wouldn't have it any other way, no, no
Whether I'm twelve or whether I'm sixty-four
I spend my time like there ain't gonna be no more
Oh alright
Keep on rolling, come on, make it last
Keep on rolling, right on now yeah
Right on down (keep on rollin')
Make it last (keep on rollin')
As long as you can (keep on rollin')
Keep on rollin'
Come on
Keep on rollin'
Come on, make it last (keep on rollin')
As long as you can
You got to make it last (keep on rollin')
And last, and last and last, last and last
Keep on rollin', rollin', rolling' right on down (keep on rollin') (rollin', rollin')
The song "Make It Last" by Montrose (2) reflects on the passage of time and the importance of making the most of life. The lyrics describe a conversation between a father and his seventeen-year-old son, in which the father advises his son to pick his dreams carefully and prepare for life's challenges. The son initially thinks that turning twenty-one is the key to enjoying life, but as he gets older he realizes that age is just a number, and the most important thing is to appreciate every day and make the most of it.
The lyrics also touch on the topic of relationships, warning about the pitfalls of getting too attached to one person and neglecting other aspects of life. Ultimately, the message of the song is to live in the moment and enjoy life to the fullest, because time is precious and fleeting.
Overall, "Make It Last" is a reflective and philosophical song that encourages listeners to appreciate life and make the most of every opportunity that comes their way.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I remember when I was seventeen,
The singer reminisces about advice from his father when he was young.
My father told me, pick your dreams
His father gave him guidance to choose his own aspirations.
He said life ain't easy as it seems
His father warned him that life can be difficult.
When you get older you'll see what I mean
He was told that as he matures, he will understand life's challenges.
At the time, I wanted to be twenty-one
The singer believed that turning 21 would make life more enjoyable.
It seemed the right age for having fun
He believed 21 was the perfect age to enjoy life.
But when I got there I was still too young
Upon reaching 21, he still felt that he was too young to fully appreciate life.
And twenty-five seemed to be the one
His belief shifted to thinking that age 25 was the key to enjoying life.
But now I live my life from day to day
The singer lives in the present and doesn't worry too much about the future.
'Cause I wouldn't have it any other way
He enjoys this carefree approach to life and wouldn't want it any other way.
Whether I'm twelve or whether I'm sixty-four
He enjoys life at any age.
I spend my time like there ain't gonna be no more
He lives as if each day may be his last.
You know that sweet girl you've been chasin' round
The singer talks about a relationship and the challenges of maintaining it.
She got you hooked 'long as she keeps you down
He suggests that the girl may try to control him in the relationship.
Well, I know what happens once she comes around
The singer has experienced this situation before and knows how it plays out.
It won't be long and you'll be back on the town
He predicts that the relationship won't last and he'll be free to enjoy himself again.
Lord, yes alright
An exclamation of affirmation or agreement.
Things between, they suit you right
Things seem to be going well for the individual.
But once you get them it seems like they're all alike
Once someone achieves success, it can become monotonous.
So make it last as long as you can
Enjoy every moment and try to make it last.
It's so much easier when you understand
It's easier to enjoy life when you have a good attitude and understanding.
Keep on rolling, come on, make it last
Keep going and enjoy life to the fullest.
As long as you can (keep on rollin')
Enjoy life for as long as possible.
And last, and last and last, last and last
Make the good times last as long as possible.
Keep on rollin', rollin', rolling' right on down (keep on rollin') (rollin', rollin')
Keep enjoying life and all that comes with it.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SAMMY HAGAR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jonathanbarnes7637
Montrose - 1973- self titled first album greatest all time at very least a contender the RedRocker on vocals -- MAKE IT LAST. --- Well, I remember when I was seventeen,
My father told me, "Pick your dreams."
He said life ain't easy as it seems.
When you get older you'll see what I mean.
At the time, I wanted to be twenty-one
It seemed the right age for havin' fun.
But when I got there I was still too young-
And twenty-five seemed to be the one.
But now I live my life from day to day
'Cuz I wouldn't have it any other way.
Whether I'm twelve or whether I'm sixty-four
I spend my time like there ain't gonna be no more.
You know that sweet girl you've been chasin' round
She got you hooked 'long as she keeps you down.
Well, I know what happens once she comes around
It won't be long and you'll be back on the town.
Lord, yes! Alright!
Things between, they suit you right.
But once you get them it seems like they're all alike.
So make it last as long as you can
It's so much easier when you understand.
@riprockxxx7886
I cant imagine that I would ever stop listening to this album. Whether I'm 12 or whether I'm 64.
@MikeRogers44
I spend my Time , I say ain't gonna be no more . ..
@dalekidd4978
I hear ya, I'm 64, and still rocking!❤️☯️
@timothycormier3494
Hahah my dad is 68 and he’s still listening to this. Hell, he just spent two days in the hospital and got out yesterday afternoon and was at the cape cod melody tent in the evening for the Tesla concert! They do some great covers from this album!
@dalekidd4978
I'm 64 now, and hear ya brother, I wouldn't have it any other way!❤️☯️
@steverherb
You got that straight, bro!
@cozzietwothousand2707
My early teen years were dominated by Top 40 "rock" on the AM stations, then I heard this album and it was a revelation as to what hard rock should be. Then I discovered Foghat via the Energized album and an upstart young band that called themselves AC/DC and the rest is history. This will always be my #1 album.
@lisapalmeno4488
The #1 hard rock album of all time.
@rustyangel3631
Standing the test of time. As it should. Pure unadulterated rock n roll.
@williambowden1716
One of the best rock and roll albums of all time.