Sammy Hagar Pays Tribute To Fan Who Named Him “Red Rocker”

For decades, Sammy Hagar has been known as “The Red Rocker,” but few people know the story behind the nickname. Recently, Hagar paid tribute to the fan who unknowingly coined it—John Pruner, a dedicated supporter who followed Hagar’s career from the very start.

The Birth of “The Red Rocker”

Hagar’s early fame came as the lead singer of Montrose, but after leaving the band, he set out on a solo journey. In 1976, he released his self-titled Red album, featuring the standout track “Red.” That same year, during a show in Seattle, Washington, he met a fan who would leave a lasting impact. Hagar recalled in a Facebook post:

“In 1976, I had just released the red album.
“I was playing one of my first concerts in Seattle, Washington supporting that record with the song ‘Red’ being the single. The next morning, I was checking out of the hotel and John Pruner, the man in these photos, stopped me and asked for an autograph on the newspaper review of the concert. He asked me to sign it, ‘The Red Rocker.’ That was the beginning of being the Red Rocker.”

At the time, neither of them could have predicted that the nickname would stick for the rest of Hagar’s career. Over the years, “The Red Rocker” became his signature brand, appearing on merchandise, beer labels, and album covers.

A Lifelong Fan and Friend

Pruner wasn’t just another fan—he became one of Hagar’s most dedicated followers. Hagar wrote in his tribute:

“John became maybe the first redhead before the fans became redheads.
“He followed me around the country, showing up everywhere. I got to know him well. Later, at a birthday bash in Cabo he showed me that he had paid to see over 100 shows! I said you will never pay to see me again and gave him the golden lifetime all access pass. That was well over 100 shows ago.”

Even as his health declined, Pruner continued attending Hagar’s shows. Confined to a wheelchair, he still made the effort to see his favorite rock star, and Hagar always ensured he had a special spot on the side of the stage.

A Farewell to the Original “Redhead”

Unfortunately, John Pruner recently passed away after battling health issues for over a decade. Hagar shared the sad news with fans. Hagar wrote:

“Well, we lost the original number one redhead a couple nights ago.
“We will miss you, John Pruner, and the show will go on without you. I know you wouldn’t have it any other way.”

While Pruner may be gone, his legacy lives on in every fan who proudly calls themselves a “Redhead” and in Hagar’s enduring nickname.

Hagar’s Upcoming Shows

Sammy Hagar continues to keep the spirit of rock alive. He is set to perform at the Stagecoach Festival in Indio, California, this April, before kicking off his Best of All Worlds residency in Las Vegas on May 2. Though Pruner won’t be in the audience, his impact on Hagar’s career will never be forgotten.