Doobies drummer dead....

[RonJonSurfer]

Doobie Brothers Drummer Knudsen Dies

1 hour, 50 minutes ago Entertainment - AP Music

By KIM CURTIS, Associated Press Writer

SAN FRANCISCO - 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.

AP Photo

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.

[Jimmy1104]

I saw the Doobies last year in concert. They were as good then as they were 30 years ago. Though they kind of mellowed on their later albums, this band is truly one of the great American bands of our generation.