Doobie Brothers founding member, drummer John Hartman dead at 72

[Karl_Hungus]

One of the founding members of The Doobie Brothers passed away. Drummer John Hartman was 72. He played on their best albums and was a founding member. The Doobie Brothers are one of my favorite bands, and I consider them to be very underrated. John was an integral part of their best lineup, which has seen many changes over the years. Their best work was done with him.

Musician John Hartman, co-founder and original drummer for the Doobie Brothers, has died at 72 years old.

The band announced Hartman’s death Thursday on their official social media pages calling Hartman a “wild spirit, great spirit and showman.”

“Today we are thinking of John Hartman, or Little John to us,” the band said. “John was a wild spirit, great drummer and showman during his time in the Doobies.

“He was also a close friend for many years and an intricate part of the band personality!”

The Virginia native had two stints with the rock band from the early 1970s to the early 1990s.

Hartman formed the band after meeting frontman Tom Johnston and later finger-picking guitarist Pat Simmons in Northern California in 1969.

Their self-titled debut album in 1971 didn’t make a splash on the charts, but their second studio album, “Toulouse Street,” became an instant fan favorite because of songs like “Listen to the Music” and “Jesus is Just Alright.” The album peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard 200 charts in 1972.

In 1979, after eight studio albums, Hartman left the band before the release of their ninth album, “One Step Closer,” after a tense Japanese tour, according to Rolling Stone.

“Everything was falling apart,” said Hartman.

Ten years later, in 1989, Hartman returned for the album “Cycles” and 1991’s “Brotherhood” before leaving the group again, this time for good, in 1992.

In 2020, Hartman and the other surviving members of the band, Jeff ‘Skunk’ Baxter, Michael Hossack, Tom Johnston, Keith Knudsen, Michael McDonald, John McFee, Tiran Porter and Patrick Simmons were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Source.



The Doobie Brothers were known for being one of the few bands to have multiple drummers. Here is one of my favorite cuts, and the album cover shows their extravagant drumming setup.



We salute you, John. Rest in peace. Feel free to post some of your favorite selections from John's time with the band.

 

[IndyCovaHart]

Rip

 

[HaulParris]

Rest in Peace

 

[emefer]

Thanks for the tunes.