Dick Dodd, Singer and Drummer of the Standells, Dies At 68

Ultimate Classic Rock ^ | November 30, 2013 9:37 AM | Dave Swanson

[a fool in paradise]

Lead singer and drummer for the ’60s garage rockers the Standells, has passed away. He was 68 years old.

Dodd, who came to fame via the Standells’ big hit, ‘Dirty Water’ in 1966, had been battling stage four cancer. His illness was only recently announced via his Facebook page, and a Go Fund Me page was set up. A posting recently stated, “The doctors have found two places in Dick’s brain. Right now, they aren’t going to worry about it. The tumor in his esophagus will be treated with chemo directly into the tumor. He won’t be able to eat, so he will have a feeding tube. His spirits, however, remain upbeat.”

Though they only had one Top 40 hit, the Standells have long been considered gararge rock royalty among fans with countless classics like ‘Why Pick On Me?,’ ‘Try It,’ ‘Sometimes Good Guys Don’t Wear White’ and the theme song from the movie ‘Riot On Sunset Strip,’ in which the band appeared. Despite the ‘Boston, you’re my home’ lyrics in ‘Dirty Water,’ Dodd was California born-and-bred. He was an original member of surf rockers the Bel-Airs, and as a child, was a Mickey Mouse Club Mouseketeer.

‘Dirty Water,’ which hit No. 11 on the Billboard charts in the summer of 1966 has had a long life outside of the band, and been covered by countless acts. It has become the official victory song of the Boston Red Sox due to its references to the city, and the band has actually performed at several Red Sox games.

[sushiman]

A drummer should not be judged purely on technical skill, but more importantly based on creativity, originality, and interpretive ability. In that respect, Ringo is a fantastic drummer. He produced the most by doing the least. Oh , I am a drummer .

[esoxmagnum]

Heh, I figured you are a drummer, as you corrected me on Bonhams name. :)

I’ll take your word for what your qualifications are.

I’m a listener, not a drummer.

But on your same theme, I do think Phil Collins is great. He can sing and drum.

I can barely walk and chew gum.

[sushiman]

:-)

One other thing about Ringo ...He is left-handed . Apparently his Grandma frowned upon this and taught him to write right-handed . The only thing he does right-handed besides write is play the drums , but he can’t do a normal roll around the drums from the snare to the small tom to the floor tom as a result as he was playing a kit made for a right handed-drummer . The lefty playing a righty kit did contribute to his unique style , though .

[a fool in paradise]

Ringo sang the occasional song in the Beatles and his band never toured as opener for the Rolling Stones.

Dick Dodd did.

In the contemporary era (post 1990) Ringo drums behind a “supergroup” of performers who each take turn singing their own hits (Ringo’s All-Starr Band).

[SamAdams76]

I know Phil Collins could sing and play drums but I don't think he does them both at the same time. I went to a Genesis concert back in the mid 1980s and I remember clearly Phil coming to the front of the stage to sing his songs while some other drummer played. Now Phil would run back to the drum set to do solos and whatnot but when he was singing the hits, he'd be at the front of the stage and not behind the drums.

I suspect in the recording studio, he'd lay down the drum and vocal tracks separately.

[esoxmagnum]

I learn something everyday on FR.

Also, I had no idea there was a difference between a right hand drum set and a left hand. So, I learned a couple things from your post.

:)