Doug Fieger
Encyclopedia
Douglas Lars "Doug" Fieger (August 20, 1952 – February 14, 2010) was an American singer-songwriter-musician. He was the lead singer of the power pop
band The Knack
, and co-wrote "My Sharona
", the biggest hit song of 1979 in the USA, with lead guitar
ist, Berton Averre
.
(most famous for representing Jack Kevorkian
), who confirmed Doug's death to The Detroit News.
Doug Fieger was 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 band, 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 and eventually sold 3 million copies in the United States - 6 million globally.
Additionally, Fieger provided lead vocals on two tracks on Was (Not Was)
' 1983 album Born to Laugh at Tornadoes
. And shortly before his death, he provided lead vocals for the track "Dirty Girl", from Bruce Kulick
's 2010 album BK3
. "Dirty Girl" was named 29th song of 2010 by Classic Rock
.
, survivors included his younger sister Beth Falkenstein.
Fieger underwent brain surgery in August 2006 to have two tumors removed. He was later diagnosed with lung cancer
in 2007, for which he underwent extensive chemotherapy
and had one half of a lung removed.
After battling cancer for several years, Fieger died at his home in the Los Angeles
neighborhood of Woodland Hills on February 14, 2010. He was 57 years old.
Fieger wrote "My Sharona" for Sharona Alperin, who later became his girlfriend. Fieger and Alperin eventually got married to other people, but they remained friends. Alperin says she visited him frequently in his final months. "A lot of his idols, people that meant so much to him in the music industry, came to pay their respects to him," she says. "And it was really beautiful."
Power pop
Power pop is a popular musical genre that draws its inspiration from 1960s British and American pop and rock music. It typically incorporates a combination of musical devices such as strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, economical arrangements, and prominent guitar riffs. Instrumental solos are...
band The Knack
The Knack
The Knack was an American New Wave rock quartet based in Los Angeles that rose to fame with their first single, "My Sharona", an international number one hit in 1979.-Founding :...
, and co-wrote "My Sharona
My Sharona
"My Sharona" is the debut single by The Knack, released in 1979 from their album Get the Knack. It reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart where it remained for six weeks and was #1 on Billboards Top Pop Singles of 1979 year-end chart. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry...
", the biggest hit song of 1979 in the USA, with lead guitar
Lead guitar
Lead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
ist, Berton Averre
Berton Averre
Berton Averre is the guitarist with the Los Angeles rock band The Knack. They had a #6 UK/#1 US hit with "My Sharona", which sold 10 million copies in the US...
.
Life and career
Fieger's father was Jewish, and his mother of Norwegian descent. Doug was the younger brother of Detroit attorney Geoffrey FiegerGeoffrey Fieger
Geoffrey Fieger is an American attorney based in Southfield, Michigan. Fieger is the senior partner at the law firm of Fieger, Fieger, Kenney, Johnson & Giroux and is an occasional legal commentator for NBC and MSNBC...
(most famous for representing Jack Kevorkian
Jack Kevorkian
Jacob "Jack" Kevorkian , commonly known as "Dr. Death", was an American pathologist, euthanasia activist, painter, composer and instrumentalist. He is best known for publicly championing a terminal patient's right to die via physician-assisted suicide; he said he assisted at least 130 patients to...
), who confirmed Doug's death to The Detroit News.
Doug Fieger was born and raised in the 9 Mile/Coolidge area of Oak Park, Michigan
Oak Park, Michigan
As of the census of 2000, there were 29,793 people, 11,104 households, and 7,595 families residing in the city. The population density was 5,863.8 persons per square mile . There were 11,370 housing units at an average density of 2,263.9 per square mile...
, a northern suburb of Detroit, and attended Oak Park High School
Oak Park High School (Michigan)
Oak Park High School is a public high school located in Oak Park, Michigan an inner suburb of Detroit. The school is part of the Oak Park School district...
. Before forming The Knack, Fieger played bass and sang lead in the group Sky
Sky (US band)
Sky was an American rock power trio active in the early 1970s, based out of Detroit, Michigan. It released two albums with RCA before breaking up in 1973. It's mostly known today as an early point in musician Doug Fieger's career, later the frontman of The Knack.-History:The group started out as...
, which was founded by producer Jimmy Miller (Rolling Stones, Traffic
Traffic (band)
Traffic were an English rock band whose members came from the West Midlands. The group formed in April 1967 by Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, Chris Wood and Dave Mason...
, Blind Faith
Blind Faith
Blind Faith were an English blues-rock band that consisted of Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, Steve Winwood and Ric Grech. The band, which was one of the first "super-groups", released their only album, Blind Faith, in August 1969...
) when Fieger was still in high school. Sky recorded two albums for RCA Records
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
, in 1970 and 1971, produced by Miller with Andy Johns
Andy Johns
Andy Johns is an engineer and producer who worked on well-known rock albums such as Led Zeppelin's IV and The Rolling Stones' Exile on Main Street. His sound is exemplified by Free's album Highway, which he engineered and produced....
(Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
). Fieger also played bass guitar in the German progressive rock band Triumvirat
Triumvirat
Triumvirat was a German progressive rock trio that formed in 1969 in Cologne, Germany. The founding members were: keyboardist/composer Hans-Jürgen Fritz , drummer/lyricist Hans Bathelt, and bassist Werner Frangenberg....
for a short period in 1974.
In addition to performing, Fieger also produced the Rubber City Rebels
Rubber City Rebels
The Rubber City Rebels are an American protopunk band from Akron, Ohio, that formed in 1976.-Early years:The original line-up of the band consisted of Rod Firestone , Buzz Clic , Donny Damage , Stix Pelton and Pete Sake .In their early years, the Rebels were fans of fellow Greater Cleveland-area...
debut album for Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
and another album for the Los Angeles-based band, Mystery Pop. He and Rebels drummer Brandon Matheson had been bandmates in The Sunset Bombers and had one album released on Ariola Records
Ariola Records
Ariola Records is a German record label. As of the late 1980s, it was a subsidiary label of BMG which in turn has since become a part of the international media conglomerate Sony Music Entertainment...
, before Fieger formed The Knack
The Knack
The Knack was an American New Wave rock quartet based in Los Angeles that rose to fame with their first single, "My Sharona", an international number one hit in 1979.-Founding :...
. 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
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
in early 1979.
"My Sharona
My Sharona
"My Sharona" is the debut single by The Knack, released in 1979 from their album Get the Knack. It reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart where it remained for six weeks and was #1 on Billboards Top Pop Singles of 1979 year-end chart. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry...
" 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
Reality Bites
Reality Bites is a 1994 American romantic comedy-drama film written by Helen Childress and featuring the directorial debut of Ben Stiller. It stars Winona Ryder, Ethan Hawke and Stiller, with major supporting roles played by Janeane Garofalo and Steve Zahn. The film was shot on location in Austin...
. It was also featured regularly in a Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
skit parodying Janet Reno
Janet Reno
Janet Wood Reno is a former Attorney General of the United States . She was nominated by President Bill Clinton on February 11, 1993, and confirmed on March 11...
. The follow-up hit to "My Sharona
My Sharona
"My Sharona" is the debut single by The Knack, released in 1979 from their album Get the Knack. It reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart where it remained for six weeks and was #1 on Billboards Top Pop Singles of 1979 year-end chart. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry...
" was "Good Girls Don't
Good Girls Don't (song)
"Good Girls Don't" is a 1979 hit single written by Doug Fieger and released by the rock band The Knack, off their album Get the Knack. It was the follow-up to the group's No. 1 single, "My Sharona." It reached #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #66 on the British charts. It also reached #20...
" which stopped one notch short of the Top 10 – peaking at #11, while Get The Knack
Get the Knack
Get Knack is the debut album by The Knack, released in June 1979. The album was the fasting-selling debut album on Capitol Records since Meet the Beatles in 1964. It went platinum in just two months and spent five weeks at #1 on the Billboard 200 album chart...
spent five straight weeks at #1 and eventually sold 3 million copies in the United States - 6 million globally.
Additionally, Fieger provided lead vocals on two tracks on Was (Not Was)
Was (Not Was)
-Studio albums:-Compilation albums:-Singles:-Contributions:* A Christmas Record - "Christmas Time In The Motor City"* That's The Way I Feel Now: A Tribute to Thelonious Monk - "Ba-Lue-Bolivar-Ba-Lues-Are"...
' 1983 album Born to Laugh at Tornadoes
Born to Laugh at Tornadoes
Born To Laugh At Tornadoes is a 1983 album by the progressive pop band Was . Rolling Stone declared it "conceptually, the best album of the year" shortly after its release...
. And shortly before his death, he provided lead vocals for the track "Dirty Girl", from Bruce Kulick
Bruce Kulick
Bruce Howard Kulick is an American guitarist, musician and a member of the band Grand Funk Railroad. Previously, Kulick had been a longtime member of the band Kiss....
's 2010 album BK3
BK3 (album)
BK3 is the third solo album by rock guitarist Bruce Kulick. It was released by Twenty4 Records on February 2, 2010.Bruce Kulick has been the lead guitarist for Grand Funk Railroad since 2001. He was the lead guitarist for Kiss from 1984 to 1996....
. "Dirty Girl" was named 29th song of 2010 by Classic Rock
Classic Rock (magazine)
Classic Rock is a British magazine dedicated to the radio format of classic rock, published by Future Publishing, who are also responsible for its "sister" publication Metal Hammer. Although firmly focusing on key bands from the 1960s through early 1990s, it also includes articles and reviews of...
.
Personal life
Doug was married to his wife, Mia, for nearly 10 years. Although they were divorced, Mia contributed to Doug's care during his illness. In addition to his older brother Geoffrey FiegerGeoffrey Fieger
Geoffrey Fieger is an American attorney based in Southfield, Michigan. Fieger is the senior partner at the law firm of Fieger, Fieger, Kenney, Johnson & Giroux and is an occasional legal commentator for NBC and MSNBC...
, survivors included his younger sister Beth Falkenstein.
Fieger underwent brain surgery in August 2006 to have two tumors removed. He was later diagnosed with lung cancer
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. If left untreated, this growth can spread beyond the lung in a process called metastasis into nearby tissue and, eventually, into other parts of the body. Most cancers that start in lung, known as primary...
in 2007, for which he underwent extensive chemotherapy
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with an antineoplastic drug or with a combination of such drugs into a standardized treatment regimen....
and had one half of a lung removed.
After battling cancer for several years, Fieger died at his home in the Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
neighborhood of Woodland Hills on February 14, 2010. He was 57 years old.
Fieger wrote "My Sharona" for Sharona Alperin, who later became his girlfriend. Fieger and Alperin eventually got married to other people, but they remained friends. Alperin says she visited him frequently in his final months. "A lot of his idols, people that meant so much to him in the music industry, came to pay their respects to him," she says. "And it was really beautiful."
External links
- In Memory of Doug Fieger at The Knack Official Website
- Bio at Mercury News online
- Contact Music report on Doug Fieger's brain surgery
- Lasting Tribute to Doug Fieger
- Obituary in Los Angeles Times
- Doug Fieger Official Website
- Doug Fieger at Find A GraveFind A GraveFind a Grave is a commercial website providing free access and input to an online database of cemetery records. It was founded in 1998 as a DBA and incorporated in 2000.-History:...