Sammy Hagar & The Wabos Bio

The Wabos are...

David Lauser (drums), Mona (bass and vocals) and Vic Johnson ( guitar and vocals).

Sammy's band, affectionately know as the Wabos, formed in the winter of 1997. Having completed his first solo recording, Marching To Mars, after his departure from Van Halen in 1996, Sammy recruited long time friend and drummer David Lauser and keyboardist, Jesse Harms, to be part of the line up for the his new post Van Hagar band.

David Lauser:
David and Sammy have had a long musical history together. The two budding musicians met in 1968 when Sammy stopped by to check out a band David was rehearsing with. This meeting would ultimately lead to their first collaboration together, The Mobile Home Blues Band! Shortly thereafter, David and Sammy formed the Justice Brothers...eventually moving to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1971. From there, Sammy hooked up with Ronnie Montrose in 1973, releasing the ground breaking 1st Montrose album. David and Sammy remained in touch and eventually, Sammy asked David to join him in 1980 to tour and record. David went on to record Sammy's entire Geffen catalog, Standing Hampton, 3 Lock Box and VOA featuring, Sammy's signature song, I Can't Drive 55 and Sammy's 1987 solo recording, I Never Said Goodbye. After Sammy parted ways with Van Halen in 1996, David was asked to take on the drumming duties yet a third time!

Mona:
There was talk of getting a female bassist... While Sammy was still busy with VH, David met Mona during a recording session with Muscle Shoals great, Wayne Perkins. David was so impressed with Mona's solid bass playing and harmony vocals that when Sammy mentioned he wanted to try out a girl on bass, David immediately suggested his new found friend. Sammy recants, "Mona drove up on her bike with a bass strapped on her back and blew us all away!"

Vic Johnson:
Needing a guitarist who could cover the entire spectrum of Sammy's musical career, including signature Van Halen guitar, would be no easy task! Enter, Vic Johnson....formerly an integral part of the Bus Boys, a first call for Dr. Dre in the L.A. Hip Hop scene and the leader of his own rock/fusion group, Total Eclipse, Vic was ready to cover all the bases with ease. To quote Sammy, "I knew Vic was the one from the first song we jammed!"

The Wabos have been touring and recording with Sammy for over 13 years, if you haven't already, come out and join the party!

Band Bios

Sammy Hagar
David Lauser
Vic Johnson
Mona Gnader