RIP Doug Fieger

[BubbaVO]

The Knack lead singer Doug Fieger dies

Mon Feb 15, 5:00 am ET

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – Doug Fieger, leader of the power pop band The Knack who sang on the 1979 hit "My Sharona," died Sunday. He was 57.

Fieger, a Detroit-area native, died at his home in Woodland Hills near Los Angeles after battling cancer, according to The Knack's manager, Jake Hooker.

Fieger formed The Knack in Los Angeles 1978, and the group quickly became a staple of Sunset Strip rock clubs. A year later he co-wrote and sang lead vocals on "My Sharona."

Fieger said the song, with its pounding drums and exuberant vocals, was inspired by a girlfriend of four years.

"I had never met a girl like her — ever," he told The Associated Press in a 1994 interview. "She induced madness. She was a very powerful presence. She had an insouciance that wouldn't quit. She was very self-assured. ... She also had an overpowering scent, and it drove me crazy."

"My Sharona," an unapologetically anthemic rock song, emerged during disco's heyday and held the No. 1 spot on the Billboard pop chart for six weeks, becoming an FM radio standard.

It became a pop culture phenomenon, parodied by Weird Al Yankovic and others and sampled by rap group Run DMC.

In 1994, "My Sharona" re-entered the Billboard chart when it was released as a single from the soundtrack of the Ben Stiller film "Reality Bites."

"My Sharona" gained attention again in 2005 when it was reported that George W. Bush had the song on the presidential iPod.

Their songs, about young love and teenage lust, included the hits "Good Girls Don't," "She's So Selfish" and "Frustrated."

The Knack continued to release albums and tour through the mid-2000s but they never replicated the success they enjoyed with their first two albums, "Get the Knack" and "... But the Little Girls Understand."

Fieger battled cancer for six years. In 2006 he underwent surgery to remove two tumors from his brain.

He is survived by a sister, Beth Falkenstein, and a brother, attorney Geoffrey Fieger of Southfield, Mich., who is best known for representing assisted suicide advocate Jack Kevorkian.

A Los Angeles memorial service for friends and family is being planned.

From the AP

(title corrected...hurried through it and didn't even notice the typo...thanks for catching it El)

[edgar_allan_poe]

Good Girls Don't is about as good a pop rock song as you will ever hear.

Sad news

[Steve Haynie]

My Sharona was a mandatory riff to learn in school. The lyrics were as rock and roll as you could get. I agree that Good Girls Don't really was a great pop rock song. Doug Fieger was cool.

[elduave]

Fieth?

[Celtic_Bill]

My Sharona was the first sheet music I ever bought as a 16 year old, the cover showed a punkish girl, with a white tank top, and no bra! I could've cared less if there was blank sheets inside the cover, the front cover pic did it all for me.......

[cmatthes]

I remember that picture sleeve as well. I think Serial still has it.

[serial]

I remember that picture sleeve as well. I think Serial still has it.

Yes-the "My Sharona" 45 picture sleeve. The "Good Girls Don't" one wasn't as cool (or hot), but I have that one too.

[Gitslide]

That's awful news. The first side of the Knack's first record was power-pop perfection. I'm pretty much a jazz n blues guy these days, but that record still blows me away.

[Willie G. Moseley]

I'm going to what might initially be perceived namedropping, but I don't mean this out of any ego trip: I'd interviewed Fieger a few years ago when he was undergoing treatment, and he wasn't involved in any self-pity whatsoever. There have been other famous musicians and newsmakers with whom I've conversed while they were battling cancer.

Then in Oct. of '07, the Missus was diagnosed w/ breast cancer. I posted a request for prayers and/or positive thoughts here, but I also sent out a mass mailing (which I usually don't do), advising a lot of folks about her situation, and again, requesting prayers and/or positive thoughts.

Within a couple of hours, the first two e-mail responses I got were from Tony Snow and Doug Fieger. Honest.

Classy moves by two classy guys who fought their battles with dignity. R.I.P. to both of 'em.

[musicman]

R.I.P. Doug...you will be missed.

[acb]

sad news... fieger had class

the knack had a great run

yes sharona was hot

[Celtic_Bill]

Dear Lord, I just became 16 again!

[elduave]

He did totally kick ass. For those that don't have it, I highly reccomend this:

http://www.amazon.com/Knack-Stage-World-Ca...3187&sr=8-1

[princeofdarkness56]

30 plus years later I still dime the volume knob when anything by the Knack comes on. RIP.

[Willie G. Moseley]

www.vintageguitar.com/features/artists/details.asp?AID=3088.

[GaryT]

Sad, Thats just one of those songs you "had" to sing along with. Interesting story also W.G.M.

[Willie G. Moseley]

She's still around:

www.mysharona.com

...and did an interview after Fieger died:

http://music-mix.ew.com/2010/02/15/doug-fieger-knack-sharon/

[Jorge]

RIP. What a sad loss. The band that

for good.

[Hamer of the gods]

My Sharona has one of my favorite solos, (if you can catch the extended version on radio!) RIP