Outside the juicier aspects of the book, the reader comes away knowing that Hagar's success is due a lot to his insurmountable work ethic, whether it's writing songs, jamming to improve his skills, or branching into other businesses including nightclubs and a hugely successful tequila company. There are plenty of more stories and observations about Hagar's time with Montrose, Van Halen, the Waboritas, and various stages of his solo career.

Ironically, given his criticisms of Roth, Hagar exhibits a healthy ego of his own, freely admitting early in his career to enjoying the pampered, rock-star lifestyle, while not so much the role of family man.

First wife Betsy is painted later in their relationship as a medicated, spendthrift neurotic, which seems a bit less than charitable (Hagar later married his mistress, and says he's never been happier). But you have to admit it's amusing when he calls a blow job "not cheating," and then later says cheating means not one, but two fucks with the same woman.

Hagar still feels that a full-on Van Halen reunion tour with the brothers, Michael Anthony, David Lee Roth, and himself would be a monster, a fan's wet dream. And despite what he's written here, he still holds out hope it could happen.

But whether the five guys can come together onstage in ego-free harmony, or from dressing rooms cordoned off from each other - as Hagar and Roth ended up doing on their one-off "Sam and Dave" tour - who knows?

In any case, Red is fun and quick to read, though perhaps not as fun and quick as those women in the tent under the stage...