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Danny Joe Brown, RIP


MarcM

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Original MOLLY HATCHET Singer DANNY JOE BROWN Dead At 53 - Mar. 12,

2005

The southern rock family was dealt a huge blow on March 10 with the

passing of original MOLLY HATCHET singer Danny Joe Brown. He had

only just been released from hospital, after treatment for pneumonia

and other ailments, but died upon his return home. He was 53 years

old.

Although earlier, established acts initially disputed the fact that

MOLLY HATCHET was a southern rock band, it's fair to say that the

Jacksonville, Florida group was the first to take the spirit of the

genre and kick its butt with an infusion of classic heavy metal. The

formula worked and the band's presence soon rose to that of

international platinum status. European fans in particular

appreciated the band's heavy use of guitar riffing and distinctive

Frank Frazetta album covers.

Named after a 17th century axe murderess, Abigail "Hatchet Molly"

from Salem, MOLLY HATCHET's self-titled Tom Werman-produced debut

album was released in September 1978. It had been intended for MOLLY

HATCHET's debut to be produced by LYNYRD SKYNYRD frontman Ronnie Van

Zant, but his untimely death in a 1977 plane crash put paid to these

plans. The record would eventually earn platinum status for one

million U.S. sales, as did the follow-up Top-20 album, "Flirting

With Disaster", released a year later.

Brown was forced out of the band due to diabetes, but made his

comeback on 1983's "No Guts...No Glory" and 1984's "The Deed Is

Done". MOLLY HATCHET briefly disbanded after Epic issued the

storming "Double Trouble Live" set in 1986, due to Brown's diabetes

disabling him once again. MOLLY HATCHET reformed with Brown in 1988

and recorded the "Lightning Strikes Twice" set for new label

Capitol. However, in later years Phil McCormack took over the vocal

reigns as Brown's illness advanced.

MOLLY HATCHET's latest release was a 2004 set of re-recorded 25th

anniversary tracks. The band is still constantly on the road in the

U.S. and Europe.

Visitation is 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at Panciera Memorial Home, 4200

Hollywood Blvd., in Hollywood. Services are 11:30 p.m. Tuesday at

Cooper City Church of God, 9191 Stirling Rd., Cooper City, with

burial at Lauderdale Memorial Park in Fort Lauderdale.

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