Douglas Lars Fieger (August 20, 1952 – February 14, 2010) was an American musician, singer and songwriter. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist of the rock band The Knack. He co-wrote "My Sharona," the biggest hit song of 1979 in the U.S., with lead guitaristBerton Averre.
Fieger was born in 1952 in Oak Park, Michigan, the son of June Beth (née Oberer) and Bernard Julian Fieger.[1][2] His father was Jewish and his mother was Norwegian.[3] Doug was the younger brother of Detroit attorney Geoffrey Fieger (most famous for representing Jack Kevorkian), who confirmed Doug's death to The Detroit News.[4]
Fieger was born and raised in the 9 Mile/Greenfield area of Oak Park, Michigan, a northern suburb of Detroit. He attended Oak Park High School. Before forming The Knack, Fieger played bass and sang lead in the group Sky, which was founded by producer Jimmy Miller (Rolling Stones, Traffic, Blind Faith) who was the "Mr. Jimmy" in the Stones "You Can't Always Get What You Want." Fieger was in high school when Sky recorded two albums for RCA Records "Don't Hold Back" 1970 and "Sailor's Delight" 1971, produced by Miller as well as Andy Johns (Led Zeppelin).
In addition to performing, Fieger produced the Rubber City Rebels' debut album for Capitol Records and an album for the Los Angeles–based band Mystery Pop. Fieger collaborated with the Rebels drummer Brandon Matheson as bandmates in The Sunset Bombers. They released one album on Ariola Records prior to Fieger's formation of The Knack. The Knack played its first gig at Hollywood's Whisky a Go Go nightclub on June 1, 1978. In addition, they played other Los Angeles–area nightclubs including The Troubadour in West Hollywood. In 1979 they were signed by Capitol Records.
"My Sharona" spent six straight weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 in 1979. It was the biggest hit of the year. Fifteen years later the track gained renewed interest when it was featured in the film Reality Bites.[5] It was also featured regularly in a Saturday Night Live skit parodying Janet Reno. The follow-up hit to "My Sharona," "Good Girls Don't," stopped a notch short of the Top 10, peaking at No. 11. Their album Get The Knack spent five straight weeks at No. 1. Three million copies were sold in the United States and 6 million sold worldwide.
Fieger released two solo albums. First Things First was released in 1999. Hankerings, a Hank Williams tribute, was released posthumously in 2010.
Additionally, Fieger provided lead vocals on two tracks on Was (Not Was)'s 1983 album Born to Laugh at Tornadoes. Shortly before his death, he provided lead vocals for the track "Dirty Girl" from Bruce Kulick's 2010 album BK3; "Dirty Girl" was named 29th-best song of 2010 by Classic Rock magazine.
Death
Fieger underwent brain surgery in August 2006 to remove two tumors. He later was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2007, which required extensive chemotherapy and removal of half of his lung.[6] His former wife, Mia, contributed to Fieger's care during his illness.
After battling cancer for years, Fieger died at his home in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Woodland Hills on February 14, 2010. He was 57 years old.[7][8] In addition to his older brother, Geoffrey Fieger, survivors included his younger sister, Beth Falkenstein.
Fieger wrote "My Sharona" for Sharona Alperin, his not-yet girlfriend. Fieger and Alperin dated for four years, but they parted, married other people, and remained friends. Alperin visited him frequently in his final months. "People that meant so much to him in the music industry came to pay their respects to him," she said. "It was really beautiful."[9]
References
^"Doug Fieger passed away at age 57. He was leader of an L.A. band, the Knack, and sang 'My Sharona'". Los Angeles Times. February 15, 2010. Retrieved February 15, 2010.
^"Motormouth". ABA Journal. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
^. December 16, 2004. Archived from the original on April 18, 2005. Retrieved January 11, 2013.
doug, fieger, douglas, lars, fieger, august, 1952, february, 2010, american, musician, singer, songwriter, rhythm, guitarist, lead, vocalist, rock, band, knack, wrote, sharona, biggest, song, 1979, with, lead, guitarist, berton, averre, fieger, 2005background,. Douglas Lars Fieger August 20 1952 February 14 2010 was an American musician singer and songwriter He was the rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist of the rock band The Knack He co wrote My Sharona the biggest hit song of 1979 in the U S with lead guitarist Berton Averre Doug FiegerFieger in 2005Background informationBirth nameDouglas Lars FiegerBorn 1952 08 20 August 20 1952Oak Park Michigan U S DiedFebruary 14 2010 2010 02 14 aged 57 Woodland Hills Los Angeles California U S GenresRock power pop new waveOccupation s Singer songwriter musicianInstrument s Vocals guitar harmonicaYears active1970 2010LabelsRCA Capitol Rhino Ariola RecordsPartnerSharona AlperinRelativesGeoffrey Fieger brother Contents 1 Life and career 2 Death 3 References 4 External linksLife and career EditFieger was born in 1952 in Oak Park Michigan the son of June Beth nee Oberer and Bernard Julian Fieger 1 2 His father was Jewish and his mother was Norwegian 3 Doug was the younger brother of Detroit attorney Geoffrey Fieger most famous for representing Jack Kevorkian who confirmed Doug s death to The Detroit News 4 Fieger was born and raised in the 9 Mile Greenfield area of Oak Park Michigan a northern suburb of Detroit He attended Oak Park High School Before forming The Knack Fieger played bass and sang lead in the group Sky which was founded by producer Jimmy Miller Rolling Stones Traffic Blind Faith who was the Mr Jimmy in the Stones You Can t Always Get What You Want Fieger was in high school when Sky recorded two albums for RCA Records Don t Hold Back 1970 and Sailor s Delight 1971 produced by Miller as well as Andy Johns Led Zeppelin In addition to performing Fieger produced the Rubber City Rebels debut album for Capitol Records and an album for the Los Angeles based band Mystery Pop Fieger collaborated with the Rebels drummer Brandon Matheson as bandmates in The Sunset Bombers They released one album on Ariola Records prior to Fieger s formation of The Knack The Knack played its first gig at Hollywood s Whisky a Go Go nightclub on June 1 1978 In addition they played other Los Angeles area nightclubs including The Troubadour in West Hollywood In 1979 they were signed by Capitol Records My Sharona spent six straight weeks at No 1 on Billboard s Hot 100 in 1979 It was the biggest hit of the year Fifteen years later the track gained renewed interest when it was featured in the film Reality Bites 5 It was also featured regularly in a Saturday Night Live skit parodying Janet Reno The follow up hit to My Sharona Good Girls Don t stopped a notch short of the Top 10 peaking at No 11 Their album Get The Knack spent five straight weeks at No 1 Three million copies were sold in the United States and 6 million sold worldwide Fieger released two solo albums First Things First was released in 1999 Hankerings a Hank Williams tribute was released posthumously in 2010 Additionally Fieger provided lead vocals on two tracks on Was Not Was s 1983 album Born to Laugh at Tornadoes Shortly before his death he provided lead vocals for the track Dirty Girl from Bruce Kulick s 2010 album BK3 Dirty Girl was named 29th best song of 2010 by Classic Rock magazine Death EditFieger underwent brain surgery in August 2006 to remove two tumors He later was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2007 which required extensive chemotherapy and removal of half of his lung 6 His former wife Mia contributed to Fieger s care during his illness After battling cancer for years Fieger died at his home in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Woodland Hills on February 14 2010 He was 57 years old 7 8 In addition to his older brother Geoffrey Fieger survivors included his younger sister Beth Falkenstein Fieger wrote My Sharona for Sharona Alperin his not yet girlfriend Fieger and Alperin dated for four years but they parted married other people and remained friends Alperin visited him frequently in his final months People that meant so much to him in the music industry came to pay their respects to him she said It was really beautiful 9 References Edit Doug Fieger passed away at age 57 He was leader of an L A band the Knack and sang My Sharona Los Angeles Times February 15 2010 Retrieved February 15 2010 Motormouth ABA Journal Retrieved September 20 2014 Behind the mouth Geoffrey Fieger December 16 2004 Archived from the original on April 18 2005 Retrieved January 11 2013 1 dead link Entertainment Weekly profile EW com Retrieved September 20 2014 detnews com dead link Sisario Ben February 16 2010 Doug Fieger Dies at 57 Singer of My Sharona The New York Times Retrieved February 16 2010 Eagan Paul February 14 2010 Knack lead singer Doug Fieger dies of cancer Detroit News Retrieved February 15 2010 Raz Guy March 6 2010 The Woman Behind My Sharona NPR ATC Retrieved March 7 2010 External links EditIn Memory of Doug Fieger at The Knack Official Website Doug Fieger at AllMusic Bio at Mercury News online Contact Music report on Doug Fieger s brain surgery Doug Fieger Official Website Doug Fieger at Find a Grave Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Doug Fieger amp oldid 1128811574, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
