Lead Singer of The Knack
14 years 2 months ago #1
by riada
Nor but in sleep findeth a cure for care.
Incertainty that once gave scope to dream
Of laughing enterprise and glory untold,
Is now a blackness that no stars redeem.
Lead Singer of The Knack was created by riada
Douglas Lars "Doug" Fieger (August 21, 1952 – February 14, 2010 was an American singer-songwriter. He was the lead singer of the New Wave band The Knack, and co-wrote the biggest hit song of 1979, "My Sharona", with lead guitarist, Berton Averre. He was the younger brother of Detroit attorney Geoffrey Fieger who confirmed his death on Valentine's Day, 2010 to The Detroit News
Geoffrey and Doug Fieger were born and raised in the 9 Mile/Coolidge area of Oak Park, Michigan, a northern suburb of Detroit, and attended Oak Park High School. Before forming The Knack, Fieger played bass and sang lead in the group Sky, which was founded by producer Jimmy Miller (Rolling Stones, Traffic, Blind Faith) when Fieger was still in high school. Sky recorded two albums for RCA Records, in 1970 and 1971, produced by Miller with Andy Johns (Led Zeppelin). Fieger also played bass guitar in the German progressive rock band Triumvirat for a short period in 1974.
In addition to performing, Fieger also produced the Rubber City Rebels debut album for Capitol Records and another album for the Los Angeles-based club, Staples Mystery Pop. He and Rebels drummer Brandon Matheson had been bandmates in The Sunset Bombers and had one album released on Ariola Records, before Fieger formed The Knack. The band played its initial gig at Hollywood's Whisky A Go-Go nightclub on June 1, 1978 and were discovered playing Los Angeles area nightclubs, including The Troubadour in West Hollywood. They were signed by Capitol Records in early 1979.
"My Sharona" spent six consecutive weeks at #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 in 1979 and was the biggest hit of the year. Fifteen years later the track gained new interest after it was heard in the film Reality Bites. It was also featured regularly in a Saturday Night Live skit parodying Janet Reno. The follow-up hit to "My Sharona" was "Good Girls Don't" which stopped one notch short of the Top 10 – peaking at #11, while Get The Knack spent five straight weeks at #1 selling 3 million copies in the United States and twice as many globally.
Fieger provided lead vocals on two tracks on Was (Not Was)' 1983 album Born to Laugh at Tornadoes. Shortly before his death, he provided lead vocals for the track "Dirty Girl," from Bruce Kulick's 2010 album BK3.
Fieger underwent brain surgery in August 2006 to have two tumors removed. He had reportedly been diagnosed with lung cancer in 2005, for which he had undergone extensive chemotherapy and had one half of a lung removed.
After battling cancer for five years, Fieger died at his home in Woodland Hills, California, on February 14, 2010. He was 57 years old
He was married with wife, Mia. In addition to his older brother, Geoffrey, survivors include his younger sister, Beth.
Geoffrey and Doug Fieger were born and raised in the 9 Mile/Coolidge area of Oak Park, Michigan, a northern suburb of Detroit, and attended Oak Park High School. Before forming The Knack, Fieger played bass and sang lead in the group Sky, which was founded by producer Jimmy Miller (Rolling Stones, Traffic, Blind Faith) when Fieger was still in high school. Sky recorded two albums for RCA Records, in 1970 and 1971, produced by Miller with Andy Johns (Led Zeppelin). Fieger also played bass guitar in the German progressive rock band Triumvirat for a short period in 1974.
In addition to performing, Fieger also produced the Rubber City Rebels debut album for Capitol Records and another album for the Los Angeles-based club, Staples Mystery Pop. He and Rebels drummer Brandon Matheson had been bandmates in The Sunset Bombers and had one album released on Ariola Records, before Fieger formed The Knack. The band played its initial gig at Hollywood's Whisky A Go-Go nightclub on June 1, 1978 and were discovered playing Los Angeles area nightclubs, including The Troubadour in West Hollywood. They were signed by Capitol Records in early 1979.
"My Sharona" spent six consecutive weeks at #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 in 1979 and was the biggest hit of the year. Fifteen years later the track gained new interest after it was heard in the film Reality Bites. It was also featured regularly in a Saturday Night Live skit parodying Janet Reno. The follow-up hit to "My Sharona" was "Good Girls Don't" which stopped one notch short of the Top 10 – peaking at #11, while Get The Knack spent five straight weeks at #1 selling 3 million copies in the United States and twice as many globally.
Fieger provided lead vocals on two tracks on Was (Not Was)' 1983 album Born to Laugh at Tornadoes. Shortly before his death, he provided lead vocals for the track "Dirty Girl," from Bruce Kulick's 2010 album BK3.
Fieger underwent brain surgery in August 2006 to have two tumors removed. He had reportedly been diagnosed with lung cancer in 2005, for which he had undergone extensive chemotherapy and had one half of a lung removed.
After battling cancer for five years, Fieger died at his home in Woodland Hills, California, on February 14, 2010. He was 57 years old
He was married with wife, Mia. In addition to his older brother, Geoffrey, survivors include his younger sister, Beth.
Nor but in sleep findeth a cure for care.
Incertainty that once gave scope to dream
Of laughing enterprise and glory untold,
Is now a blackness that no stars redeem.
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