Sammy Hagar has no problem admitting he loves being rich and famous, and how everything he has done, whether it brought success or failure, has made him who he is today. He admits his faults, does not cover up his weaknesses, and tells a situation like it is, or like it went down – much to the chagrin of former band members with the last name of Van Halen.

In his book, Sammy opens up about his humble beginnings, his insane, drunken father and co-dependent mother. He tells the tale of his undignified upbringing, not in a manner where one feels sorry for him, but rather as a part of what made him who he is today. There is no crying in his beer, or tequila, in this case, over how hard he had it – and he had it hard. He lived in a small town and his father was the town drunk, eventually dying in the back of a police car. His mother tried to believe in her husband and the family was forced to move often. The family was forced to live with constant humiliation, as Sam’s old man was only good at three things: getting drunk, not paying the bills and fighting. It is interesting that, despite his shortcomings, Sammy still has a love for his father, and credits him for instilling in him an unwavering believe in himself.

Hagar discusses his days in Montrose, his struggles with his record company during his solo career, and how he came to replace David Lee Roth in Van Halen. Hagar tells his tell with complete openness and honesty and the reader feels that he is sitting on a barstool with Hagar as he relates his life story. We learn of Sammy the rock star, the father, the cheating husband, the philanthropist and the business mogul. Never before has such a public figure barred it all for the sole sake of sharing with us who he is. Sam doesn’t need the money, the fame, the attention or the adulation. He wrote this book out of a desire to share his life with those who wish to get to know him better.

The rise and fall of the mighty Van Halen is discussed in black and white terms as well. It is clear that while Hagar has a deep love for Eddie and Alex Van Halen, he has little, to no respect for the way they treated him, and Michael Anthony, or how Alex covers for Ed and his blatant emotional and chemical problems. There are times in the book when one feels sorry for the guitar genius as Hagar describe the depths of self-inflicted despair and delusion that have become part of the guitar players everyday existence.

The book is not all serious as there are a lot of humorous moments such as under the stage sex tents, boys being boys in rock bands and Sammy’s recounting of the infamous Sam and Dave tour. Hagar paints a picture that sees David Lee Roth go from rock god to two-year-old brat who is throwing a fit because he can’t have another piece of candy.

There is one story in the book that is more emotional than the rest. Hagar lets his guard down the most when discussing his first wife and the demise of their long-term marriage. It is sad reading how time took its toll on the couple and eventually broke them down, and then broke them up. It is rare to read such an honest account of a dying relationship.

Hagar will sell a lot of books, primarily because he has a lot of fans. As the book enters the best sellers lists, then people will discover the book that are not diehard fans. They are in for a real treat as it is rare indeed to have such a high profile figure lay it on the line in the way the Red Rocker did. This is not so much a “Tell All” book as it is a “Tell It Like It Is” book. Sam doesn’t rely on sensationalism, or shock value, to fill the pages. Instead, you get the real story, straight from the Red Rocker’s mouth.

Pick this one up, as I am certain you will give it more than one read… I know I did.