The Knack's 57 year old lead singer/ writer/guitarist Doug Fieger died of brain and lung cancer yesterday- he had been battling cancer since 2006. For those not remembering the disco days, a group came along in 1979 at the height of disco to fill a niche and return a power pop sound to the music industry. The Knack released their debut "Get The Knack" and comparisons to early Beatles came about immediately. The group all wore the same white shirts, skinny black ties, and appeared as tight as the early Beatles. The songs were short and flowed from one to the next as you listened to the whole album. Get the Knack contained a huge hit "My Sharona" and many others catchy tunes. I had the good fortune to see them live in 1980 at Gill Coliseum in Corvallis when they were just starting- a great concert.
11 comments:
Greg, what ever happened to them. Great sound. See you soon, Love Dad and Alice
Great debut album, then an unfortunate sophomore effort led to the group rehashing "My Sharona" one too many times. There were many musician changes too. A Rock and Roll story. Greg
Let Me Out was the first song on side one, and their regular concert opening song. Very black and white scene including an all white stage was also a hallmark of The Knack- while they lasted.
I loved the Knack and was very sad to hear the lead singer passed away. So cool you got to see them in concert. They rock. I checked out some of the other videos with the one you posted. He had a great voice.
Hope you are at home and feeling better.
I worked security at that same concert you attended in 1980! Worst concert ever held at Gill, because besides you, everyone else was a 15 year old girl who couldn't stop screaming. Little River Band and Heart mercifully appeared the next year to restore my faith in live music. Hey, you weren't the guy passed out on MD 20-20 in the balcony, were you? Live Strong my friend. Capt. X
I do remember some young girls screaming- sort of like what early 60's Beatles concerts must have been like. I was the guy wearing a "Meet The Beatles" T shirt probably pretty sober due to a sense of responsibility driven into me by my parents in Portland :) MD wasn't my thing- heck more likely Boone's Farm Strawberry Hill.
From music to sports: Greg what do ya think about the Blazers trade with the clippers for Marcus Camby? They sent Outlaw and Blake and some cash. He'll bring shot blocking and rebounding. Hope you are recouping nicely,
Cathy
Thought you might be interested in this 4-part radio interview (Alistair Begg on the Beatles). Scroll to the bottom of the page when you visit the web site, the series starts there. If you take a liking to Alistair Begg, there are free downloads at www.truthforlife.org
http://www.thekindlings.com/index.php?s=begg&sbutt=Go
Hope you're doing ok....you are in our prayers.
Bob & Laura
Thanks for the link Bob. I listened to parts 1 and 2 so far, finding it very interesting. Plus, I like the name Alistair Begg. Cathy- I haven't kept up with Camby for the past couple of years, but I thought he was past his prime. Outlaw has a lot of potential. So- I am not sure who got the best deal. They are in the playoffs as of now- the proof will be in the pudding.
By the by- we are entertaining our Hawaii daughter Natalie and her husband Sam today- they take a trip to Oregon tomorrow and then come back here for the weekend and into next week when I start chemo session 7 of 8. :) Greg
If they are in our neck of the woods, they are welcome to come by, if not then enjoy our State! Love, Cathy
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