Molly Hatcher singer Danny Joe Brown, 53

By Sean Piccoli
Pop Music Writer
Posted March 12 2005

Danny Joe Brown, a founding member of Southern rockers Molly Hatchet, and singer and co-writer of the band's biggest hits from the late '70s, died on Thursday at his home in Davie of complications from pneumonia. He was 53.

The lone voice in a six-piece band that featured three lead guitarists, Mr. Brown, a Jacksonville native, matched the clamor of Molly Hatchet's music with a big, muscular growl on songs such as Flirtin' with Disaster, Whiskey Man and Gator Country. Mr. Brown co-founded Molly Hatchet in Jacksonville in 1975. The band adopted a hard-rocking sound inspired in part by the boogie and blues of Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Molly Hatchet also gained a reputation for partying hard, and after 2 million-selling studio albums and constant touring, Mr. Brown quit the band in 1980, citing exhaustion. He put out a solo album and rejoined Molly Hatchet in the 1980s.

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.

www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-pobrown12mar12,0,4984556.story

I heard a rumor that Jackson Spires (drummer from Blackfoot) has also passed - trying to confirm.  

I saw Molly Hatchet at UT-Martin in 1979.

Yeah, I read about that in I Don't Care Magazine.

I imagine we're gonna start hearing about more and more of the 70's stars.  Molly Hatchet had some pretty cool music, and I loved the Frank Frazetta album covers.  RIP.


Woody

Quoted: Yeah, I read about that in I Don't Care Magazine.

Then why bother posting about it here?

Quoted: Quoted: Yeah, I read about that in I Don't Care Magazine. Then why bother posting about it here?

Sorry for dissing the dead.  I just heard that on SNL last week, I thought it was a really funny line and I've been dying to use it.

FWIW, DJB has been fighting diabetes since he was 19 years old. The pneumonia was a complication of his diabetes.

Also, I have confirmed that Jackson Spires suffered a brain aneurism yesterday, and is now "brain dead". His life support will be terminated possibly today.

I happen to know Jackson Spires personally, and have met DJB twice. You would be hard pressed to find a nicer guy than Jackson.  I last saw him in December - drank a few beers, played some acoustic guitars, and watched some football over the course of the few days he was here. Jackson's wife is Ricky Medlin's (also from Blackfoot) sister. I spoke with her sister about an hour ago.

RIP, my friend.

That is really sad.

I really hate to hear that...I had all their albums,  Saw them in concert back in the 80's.  The ax attack was awesome.  One of the VanZandt brothers opened followed by Molly Hatchet and then 38 Special.  One kick ass (Florida based)Southern Rock Concert.  Danny Joe will be missed

"dreams i'll never see"
awesome song

DAMN........RIP!!!!!  

I’m travelin’ down the road, I’m flirtin’ with disaster. I’ve got the pedal to the floor, My life is running faster. I’m out of money, I’m out of hope, It looks like self destruction. Well how much more can we take, With all of this corruption.

Damn, that's too bad. I remember seeing Molly Hatchet in Chattanooga in early 1979 when they opened for Rush. That was a damn good show. I'm sorry to see him go.

The first concert I ever saw was Molly Hatchet, opening for the Outlaws in 1979. I saw them a couple more times at various Oregon outdoor concerts. To truly date myself, I had the eight track of Flirtin with Disaster, for my first car a 68 Camero SS. RIP.
Flyingrhino

RIP


/goes to play Fall of the Peacemakers turned up to 11

Bummer! da' man could belt a tune! RIP

Quoted: I’m travelin’ down the road, I’m flirtin’ with disaster. I’ve got the pedal to the floor, My life is running faster. I’m out of money, I’m out of hope, It looks like self destruction. Well how much more can we take, With all of this corruption.

+1
RIP

Quoted: I imagine we're gonna start hearing about more and more of the 70's stars.  Molly Hatchet had some pretty cool music, and I loved the Frank Frazetta album covers.  RIP. Woody

I loved those album covers. I have a framed picture of the pissed off Viking.

Saw them 3 times at the Cumberland County Auditorium in 79.

Damn, I am starting to feel old...

When EVH kicks the bucket, I am checking in to a retirement home

Danny Joe could sure sing. Always liked  Molly Hatchet, lots of good songs. Sorry to hear of his passing. I understood he was a diabetic from what I can remember of him. Either way, Flirtin With Disaster, Dreams or Gator Country, Thank s Danny Joe!