Doobie Brothers Drummer John Hartman Dies at 72

The rock band paid tribute to its "wild spirit" co-founder on Thursday.

The Doobie Brothers paid tribute to their co-founder and “wild spirit” drummer John Hartman on Thursday (Sept. 22) in a submit saying the 72-year-old rock veteran’s dying. “At the moment we're considering of John Hartman, or Little John to us,” learn a social assertion from the group. “John was a wild spirit, nice drummer, and showman throughout his time within the Doobies.”

At press time no further info was obtainable on when Hartman handed or his reason for dying.

“He was additionally an in depth pal for a few years and an intricate a part of the band persona! We ship our condolences to all his family members at this tough time,” learn the assertion. Hartman moved to Northern California to affix what was deliberate as a Moby Grape reunion with that band’s chief, Skip Spence, in 1969 that by no means materialized, in response to a band bio.

However after Spence launched him to future bandmate singer/guitarist Tom Johnston, the pair began enjoying gigs in Bay Space bars, including in singer/finger-picking guitarist Pat Simmons to the lineup. The band’s 1971 Warner Bros. debut featured unique bass participant Dave Shogren, who cut up earlier than the Doobies recorded their 1972 follow-up, Toulouse Avenue. The latter lastly bought them on the charts due to the easy-rocking hits “Take heed to the Music” and “Jesus is Simply Alright/Rockin’ Down the Freeway.”

By 1972, the Doobies had added new bassist Tiran Porter in addition to second drummer Michael Hossack, initiating what would develop into their signature double-percussionist sound. They continued to churn out a string of indelible AM-radio hits all through the last decade, together with “China Grove,” “Black Water,” “Lengthy Practice Runnin’,” What a Idiot Believes,” “Minute by Minute” and “Takin’ it to the Streets.”

Hartman left the group in 1979 earlier than the discharge of the band’s ninth album, 1980’s One Step Nearer. He returned 10 years later and performed on 1989’s Cycles and 1991’s Brotherhood earlier than leaving once more in 1992. The beloved drummer was readily available in 2020 when the Doobies have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame.

See the band’s assertion and watch a 1977 reside model on “Takin’ it to the Streets” beneath.

This story first appeared on Billboard.com.

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