Make It Last

Montrose’s Slow-Burning Anthem of Reflection

“Make It Last” closes Montrose’s 1973 debut album with a deliberate change of pace—slower, more spacious, and steeped in blues-inflected slide guitar. Where “Rock the Nation” bursts with precision and fire, “Make It Last” stretches out, giving Ronnie Montrose room to explore lyrical phrasing and sustain. Sammy Hagar’s vocals shift from urgent declaration to soulful reflection, while the rhythm section eases into a looser groove. It’s a performance that shows the band’s versatility, balancing hard rock aggression with atmosphere and restraint.

This performance highlights the band’s versatility. Montrose proves they could deliver more than hard‑driving riffs, leaning into atmosphere and restraint. The slower tempo and expressive guitar work give the track a reflective quality, balancing the album’s raw power with emotional depth.

Techniques to Explore

Montrose’s hard rock attack is built on precision and impact, with each technique serving the song’s drive.

• Power chords — stripped‑down harmonic force, played with deliberate weight in the slower groove
• Slide guitar — fluid, vocal‑like lines that add bluesy color and sustain

Recording Notes

💬 What makes this performance resonate with you?

Montrose slows the pace and leans into slide guitar—share your thoughts on how “Make It Last” reveals another side of the band’s debut.