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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZMOLLY HATCHETFlorida rock band formed '71 in Jacksonville by guitarists Dave Hlubeck (b '52, Jacksonville) and Steve Holland (b '54, Dothan AL; ex-Ice). Jacksonville bassist Banner Thomas was the only other constant member in early years. Drummer Bruce Crump and ex-Rum Creek vocalist Danny Joe Brown (b '51, Jacksonville; d 10 Feb. 2005) added '75; guitarist Duane Roland (b 3 Dec. '52, Jeffersonville IN) '76; band signed to Epic '77. They chose their name from 17th-century Salem prostitute who despatched clients with a cleaver. Their lineup and hell-raising Southern lifestyle made them natural successors to Lynyrd Skynyrd, whose crown was up for grabs after their plane crash '77. Molly Hatchet '78 was produced by Tom Werman (Cheap Trick, Ted Nugent, etc) and sold nearly a million; Flirtin' With Disaster '80 made the top 20 LPs; Beatin' The Odds '80 sold over two million. The popular, gruff-voiced Brown was diabetic and left to rest, making an eponymous solo LP '81; he was replaced by Jimmy Farrar on Take No Prisoners '81 but rejoined, bringing John Galvin on keyboards for No Guts ... No Glory '83; Crump and Thomas had left, but Crump rejoined on Brown's return (new bassist was Riff West, b 3 April '50, Orlando). With a settled lineup they embarked on The Deed Is Done '84, forsaking Werman for Terry Manning, the engineer behind the rise of ZZ Top: closing acoustic 'Song For The Children' showed another facet to a band known for raw rock. Live two-disc Double Trouble -- Live '85 showed band in their element: they toured heavily (200-plus gigs a year); the live set made the top 50 LPs in the UK, including a cover of Skynyrd's anthem 'Freebird', underlining the fact that they came as close as anybody to replacing them. They renited briefly in '96. |