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Biography
Before Dr. Hook formed as a band three of its members, George Cummings, Ray Sawyer, and Billy Francis, were in a Southern band called “The Chocolate Papers”. The three members in the band relocated from the South to New Jersey and after they hired the New Jersey native Dennis Locorriere as their vocalist, they named themselves Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show.
After the band had created demo tapes that were circulating around, Ron Haffkine heard the tapes and wanted the band to perform some songs on a film that he was working on called “Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me?”. The acclaimed poet Shel Silverstein wrote two songs for the movie, “The Last Morning” and “Bunky and Lucille”, which the band recorded. The film was released in 1971 and led to the band securing a record contract.
The band released their debut album “Doctor Hook” in 1971, which included the band’s hit single “Sylvia’s Mother”. The track was very successful reaching No. 5 on the US Billboard Singles chart and No. 1 on Ireland’s Singles chart. The song was written by Shel Silverstein and was later covered by the popular rock band Bon Jovi. Shel Silverstein would continue writing songs for the band’s later albums. For Dr. Hook’s second album “Sloppy Seconds”, Shel Silverstein wrote the entire album. The album was known for its eccentric crude sense of humor and contained the singles “Freakin’ at the Freakers Ball” and “The Cover of the Rolling Stone”. The album contained the band’ signature country rock sound and often conveyed sounds similar to Randy Newman’s style. “The Cover of the Rolling Stone” reached the No. 6 position on the US pop chart and was also featured in the film “Almost Famous”.
The band was very prolific with their album releases and released an album almost every year in the ‘70s. Their 1976 album achieved recognition for the title track “A Little Bit More”. Although the band never received extreme commercial success with their albums, they did continue to produce popular singles such as “Sharing the Night Together” and “When You’re in Love with a Beautiful Woman”. Towards the late ‘70s the band had already been through a few lineup changes and by the mid ‘80s the band had called it quits.
Ray Sawyer went on to pursue a solo career and Dennis Locorriere relocated to Nashville to write songs for other artists as well as to record some of his own solo material. Ever since Dr. Hook’s dissolution, Sawyer and Locorriere have ever so often resurrected the name to play live performances.
Live reviews
Anybody lucky enough to live through the hedonistic and heady musical decade of the 70s will be aware of American rock band formerly known as Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show, and now simply Dr. Hook. Collaborating often with the poet Shel Silverstein, the group achieved notable chart success in the UK and US with their soft rock sounds and all these years later these songs have stood the test of time well.
There are a range of fans here tonight, including some who show clear dedication as by their age it would seem they could have brought the bands very first album. The group is looking notably weathered onstage yet they look happy to be performing together again. The discography also has a number of gems including the opener 'You Make My Pants Want to Get Up and Dance' which often gets lost in the archives but tonight is has the whole crowd moving along. They remain responsive throughout as they cheer and applaud in all the right places for this important outfit. It is the final tracks including 'The Cover of Rolling Stone' and 'Sylvia's Mother' that receive the largest cheers of the evening so far.
sean-ward
Big hitters and all-girl band, The Runaways are an act that have some weight behind them.
With such big albums in the 70s it’s clear that their songs are not the most unpopular of bands.
If spandex was ever at an all time high, The Runaways’ gigs in Japan during the late 70s to be particular shows that not only Joan Jett but her band of merry band of sistas were very fond of the style.
Amidst the glam rock popularity of their time, it’s clear that The Runaways were ever so true to the genre. With lively performances, fan screams that even Kiss would be jealous off and an explosive stage set you can expect not only an entertaining show but also a musically worth-while experience.
The stage presence of Cherrie Currie is unmissable due to how big she makes her skinny figure look as big as the stage. A long with the cool laid back approach of the rest of the band, there is a very easy/ cool vibe to the gig.
With a name like Joan Jett in The Runaways you can expect nothing short of a master class in how to encapsulate a crowd.
SamMeaghan
I'd love to write a review if I could experience the pleasure of seeing you in concert in the U.S. I watch your events all the time, please help me get to see you guys before one of us can't ...Marykay517@yahoo.com 7179178243 Mary Hockenberry thank you
never-1
six of us Went to the Southampton show 4 fans two on the fence after show six fans left.
Fantastic show, Dennis as good as ever, backed by a fantastic backing group. all six of us can't wait to go again.
mlbdsb.60
Just seen Dr hook at Llandudno.great show well worth seeing.still got a great distinctive voice.really good band too.would go again to Sheffield.wrong shift not to worry.was a big fan back in the 70s
blowhead
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