Doobie Brothers Drummer Knudsen Dies

a1aara · Post by **a1aara** » February 9, 2005 6:08 am

Doobie Brothers Drummer Knudsen Dies

By KIM CURTIS
Associated Press Writer

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Keith Knudsen, the longtime Doobie Brothers drummer who was part of the band during a string of hits that included "Taking it to the Streets" and "Black Water," died of pneumonia Tuesday. He was 56.

Knudsen had been hospitalized for more than a month, 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 began drumming in eighth grade and joined the Doobie Brothers in 1974. "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 were known for incorporating gospel and jazz stylings into popular hit songs. They also were well-regarded for their live performances. Their other hits included "China Grove" and "Jesus is Just Alright."

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."

Knudsen, who lived in Sonoma County's wine country, had cancer in 1995 Johnston said.

"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.

DonnaKayDunbar · Post by **DonnaKayDunbar** » February 9, 2005 8:44 am

Weren't the Doobies on that show "What's Happening" once?
I believe the line was

"Which Doobie you be?"

Gulfbreeze · Post by **Gulfbreeze** » February 9, 2005 8:48 am

Just scanning through this list,

http://www.angelfire.com/fl/boltman/70.html

There's still a lot of great music being played by either the original bands or band members of this decade. Outside of Sweet and Rosetta Stone, I believe I have had or have every band listed..(

ok, I admit, the Ballroom Blitz had me hooked for a couple of weeks back then

)

ph4ever · Post by **ph4ever** » February 9, 2005 8:53 am

My mom loved the bros Doobe.

Sail on Keith...........

meisinger · Post by **meisinger** » February 9, 2005 9:36 am

Had the good fortune of seeing him play several times.
Sail on........

Jahfin · Post by **Jahfin** » February 9, 2005 9:43 am

DonnaKayDunbar wrote:Weren't the Doobies on that show "What's Happening" once?
I believe the line was

"Which Doobie you be?"

I'm pretty sure they were and Rerun got popped for trying to tape their show when they played at the school.

DonnaKayDunbar · Post by **DonnaKayDunbar** » February 9, 2005 9:44 am

Jahfin wrote:
DonnaKayDunbar wrote:Weren't the Doobies on that show "What's Happening" once?
I believe the line was

"Which Doobie you be?"
I'm pretty sure they were and Rerun got popped for trying to tape their show when they played at the school.

I think you're right. Good times.

rednekkPH · Post by **rednekkPH** » February 9, 2005 11:21 am

DonnaKayDunbar wrote:I think you're right. Good times.

No, Good Times was with JJ Walker.

LIPH · Post by **LIPH** » February 9, 2005 11:38 am

Dyn-O-mite!!!

HockeyParrotHead · Post by **HockeyParrotHead** » February 9, 2005 1:00 pm

Great band in its prime, and he was a big reason they were so tight. RIP.

The Lost Manatee · Post by **The Lost Manatee** » February 9, 2005 6:34 pm

I had the pleasure of meeting the band in 1979 and Keith was one of the more outgoing people there. He will be missed.

tikitatas · Post by **tikitatas** » February 9, 2005 6:40 pm

Sail on, Keith.

It was KILLER to see the two entire drum kits on stage when these guys played . . . Keith and Big Mike Hossack drove the songs! Saw them live twice; great shows where you left singin' all the way home!!

DonnaKayDunbar · Post by **DonnaKayDunbar** » February 9, 2005 8:40 pm

rednekkPH wrote:
DonnaKayDunbar wrote:I think you're right. Good times.
No, Good Times was with JJ Walker.

Damn. I s***.

Cousin Baxter · Post by **Cousin Baxter** » February 9, 2005 9:40 pm

I think you're thinking of Whats Happening

Sail on Keith

DonnaKayDunbar · Post by **DonnaKayDunbar** » February 9, 2005 10:06 pm

Cousin Baxter wrote:I think you're thinking of Whats Happening

Sail on Keith

Yeah, it was What's Happening.

The other was after I said something snarky... a la public radio... "good times".
which spawned another...

eh... I guess it's not as funny when you have to explain it.

tdparrothead · Post by **tdparrothead** » February 11, 2005 12:24 am

The Doobies are one of the greatest bands ever. Sail on Keith, you'll be missed.

BuffettNews.com

Doobie Brothers Drummer Knudsen Dies

Doobie Brothers Drummer Knudsen Dies

Sail On Keith Knudsen