Molly Hatchet is an American rock band formed in 1971 in Jacksonville, Florida, by guitarist Dave Hlubek. The band became one of the prominent acts associated with Southern rock and achieved its greatest commercial success during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Between 1978 and 1984, Molly Hatchet released six studio albums on Epic Records, including the commercially successful "Molly Hatchet" (1978), "Flirtin' with Disaster" (1979), and "Beatin' the Odds" (1980). The band also charted several singles on the US Billboard charts, including "Flirtin' with Disaster", "The Rambler", "Bloody Reunion", and "Satisfied Man".
Although Molly Hatchet continued releasing studio albums after leaving Epic Records in 1985, none matched the commercial performance of the group's early releases in the United States. As of August 2020, all original members of the band had died. The Molly Hatchet trademark is owned by guitarist Bobby Ingram, who joined the band in 1987. Long-serving members of the current line-up include keyboardist John Galvin and bassist Tim Lindsey.
The origins of Molly Hatchet can be traced to Jacksonville's rock scene of the early 1970s. Dave Hlubek founded the group in 1971 alongside several musicians who had previously played together in local bands. During its formative years, the line-up underwent numerous changes before stabilising in 1976 with vocalist Danny Joe Brown, guitarists Hlubek, Steve Holland and Duane Roland, bassist Banner Thomas, and drummer Bruce Crump. This configuration became known for its three-guitar arrangement and formed the band's classic line-up.
After developing a following on the Florida club circuit, the band signed with Epic Records in 1977. Their self-titled debut album, released in 1978 and produced by Tom Werman, featured "Dreams I'll Never See", a cover of the Allman Brothers Band song "Dreams". The album established Molly Hatchet within the Southern rock genre. The follow-up, "Flirtin' with Disaster" (1979), achieved greater commercial success and included the title track and "Whiskey Man". Extensive touring with major rock acts of the era helped expand the band's audience.
In 1980, vocalist Danny Joe Brown left the band due to health issues and internal disagreements. He was replaced by Jimmy Farrar. During Farrar's tenure, the band's sound moved further towards hard rock, particularly on "Beatin' the Odds" (1980) and "Take No Prisoners" (1981). Despite changes in style, the group remained commercially successful and continued to tour extensively.
The early 1980s brought further personnel changes. Bassist Banner Thomas departed in 1981 and was replaced by Ralph "Riff" West. Drummer Bruce Crump was succeeded by B. B. Borden, and Brown returned as lead vocalist in 1982. The reunited line-up released "No Guts...No Glory" (1983). During the following years, departures and returns among key members continued, while keyboardist John Galvin joined the band in 1984. That year also saw the release of "The Deed Is Done", which reflected a more mainstream rock sound.
Following the live album "Double Trouble Live" (1985), Epic Records ended its association with the band. In 1987, founder Dave Hlubek left Molly Hatchet and was replaced by Bobby Ingram. The band's only release for Capitol Records, "Lightning Strikes Twice" (1989), produced a modest rock radio hit with "There Goes the Neighborhood", but the album did not achieve the commercial success of earlier releases. In July 1990, the band announced its dissolution following a concert in Toledo, Ohio.
Later in 1990, Molly Hatchet was re-formed under a revised line-up led by Danny Joe Brown and Bobby Ingram. Throughout the 1990s, the group experienced frequent personnel changes. Despite continuing to tour, the band did not release a new studio album until "Devil's Canyon" in 1996. By this period, none of the musicians who had appeared on the band's earliest recordings remained in the line-up except for Ingram and, intermittently, John Galvin.
Additional studio albums followed, including "Silent Reign of Heroes" (1998) and "Kingdom of XII" (2000). In June 2000, Bobby Ingram became the sole owner of the Molly Hatchet trademark. During the early 2000s, the band continued to tour internationally while undergoing further line-up changes. Tim Lindsey, an early member who had left before the band's recording career began, rejoined in 2003.
A significant development occurred in 2005 when founder Dave Hlubek returned to the band after an eighteen-year absence. During this period, Molly Hatchet released "Warriors of the Rainbow Bridge" (2005), "Justice" (2010), and several live and cover albums. The group maintained an active touring schedule in North America and Europe.
Several former members died during the 2000s and 2010s. Danny Joe Brown died in 2005, Duane Roland in 2006, Ralph "Riff" West in 2014, Bruce Crump in 2015, Dave Hlubek in 2017, Banner Thomas in 2017, Jimmy Farrar in 2018, Phil McCormack in 2019, and Steve Holland in 2020. Holland's death marked the passing of the last surviving original member of the band.
Following Hlubek's death in 2017, Molly Hatchet continued as a touring and recording act under Bobby Ingram's leadership. Vocalist Phil McCormack was replaced for live performances by Jimmy Elkins before Elkins became the band's official singer in 2019. After Elkins was sidelined following an accident, Parker Lee assumed lead vocal duties in 2023.
Despite the absence of original members, Molly Hatchet remains active. The current line-up includes Bobby Ingram, John Galvin, Tim Lindsey, Parker Lee, and drummer Garrett Ramsden. In 2023, the band released "Firing Line", its first new song in thirteen years, and announced work on a new studio album.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molly_Hatchet
Studio albums
Molly Hatchet (1978)
Flirtin' with Disaster (1979)
Beatin' the Odds (1980)
Take No Prisoners (1981)
No Guts...No Glory (1983)
The Deed Is Done (1984)
Lightning Strikes Twice (1989)
Devil's Canyon (1996)
Silent Reign of Heroes (1998)
Kingdom of XII (2000)
Warriors of the Rainbow Bridge (2005)
Justice (2010)
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…shrink me down again