Posted on 02/08/2005 6:30:08 PM PST by missyme
Keith Knudsen, a drummer for the Doobie Brothers since 1974, died of pneumonia Tuesday. He was 56.
Knudsen, who lived in Sonoma County's wine country, had been hospitalized for more than a month. He died at Kentfield Rehabilitation Hospital at about 12:30 p.m., according to the band's longtime manager Bruce Cohn.
"I just saw him Sunday, just before the Super Bowl," Cohn said. "He was in good spirits. He was weak, but he was OK."
Knudsen, who said he began drumming in eighth grade, joined the classic rock band in 1974 after he met Cohn, who told him the Doobies needed a drummer.
"After a week's rehearsal, I went on the road with the band," Knudsen said in his biography on the band's Web site.
The Doobies, who had a lengthy string of hits including "Black Water," "Minute By Minute," "What a Fool Believes" and "Taking it to the Streets," were known for incorporating gospel and jazz stylings into popular hit songs. They also were well-regarded for their live performances.
Knudsen played with the Doobies until the band's 1982 farewell tour. During the band's hiatus, Knudsen and bandmate John McFee formed the country rock group Southern Pacific, which released four albums and had several hits.
He rejoined the band full-time in 1993.
"He's going to be missed," said Tom Johnston, the band's founder. "We're going to miss him on drums. I'm going to miss him as a buddy."
Johnston said Knudsen had cancer in 1995.
"It left him weak and I don't think he ever fully regained all his strength," Johnston said.
He said the band was currently performing about 100 concerts a year and is scheduled to release a new album this summer.
Knudsen is survived by his wife of 16 years, Kate, and their daughter, Dayna Keyes.
Funeral and memorial arrangements are pending. Donations can be made to Knudsen's longtime favorite charity, the National Veterans Foundation.
RIP, Keith.
'Rockin' Down the Highway' in Heaven!
It Keeps you Running Where would you be without love?
Well, now he really is one toke over the line.
Amen to that, Stampede rocked!!! RIP Keith.
Also Dobie Gray?
[I have several of their albums.........hummmmmmmm showing my age.]
[Only if you're still playing them on a turntable.]
I'm playing The Doobies (Black Water) on a turntable right now....and I'm only 36.
I LOVE my LP's.
Actually Keith wasn't with the band for Toulouse Street, I think he joined them in '74.
Well said. RIP Keith.
I saw them in Vegas in their 1982 farewell tour at the old Alladin. Absolutely a great show.Their music brings back alot of good memories of when I use to party like a knucklehead....(still do). I'll throw one more down for the man,he deserves it!
Minute by Minute
was my favorite.
One of the best weekends of my life was lived to the background of the Doobie Bros in the aerly '70s. Don't ask.
I remember when Tommy left the band, Keith was the one who sang "Listen to the Music."
Wasn't "Jesus Is Just Alright" orignally done by the Byrds?
RIP Keith.
ff
Uuuuhhh...that was Brewer and Shipley.
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