- This page was last modified on 8 June 2025, at 15:47. Suggest an edit.
Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show facts for kids
|
Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show
|
|
|---|---|
After scoring a hit with the song "The Cover of 'Rolling Stone'" in 1972, the band was featured on the cover of the March 29, 1973 Rolling Stone
|
|
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Dr. Hook |
| Origin | Union City, New Jersey, United States |
| Genres |
|
| Years active | 1968–1985, 1988-2015, 2019-present |
| Labels | |
| Associated acts |
|
| Members |
|
| Past members |
|
Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show was a popular American rock band. They formed in Union City, New Jersey. Later, in 1975, they shortened their name to Dr. Hook.
The band became very famous in the 1970s. They had many hit songs like "Sylvia's Mother" and "The Cover of 'Rolling Stone'". Other big hits included "Only Sixteen", "A Little Bit More", and "When You're in Love with a Beautiful Woman". Besides their own songs, they also performed songs written by the famous poet Shel Silverstein.
Dr. Hook's music was played everywhere. You could hear their songs on pop, easy listening, and country music radio stations. Their music was popular all over the world, especially in places where English is spoken.
Contents
The Story of Dr. Hook
How the Band Started
The main members who started the band were George Cummings, Ray Sawyer, and Billy Francis. They had played together before in a band called the Chocolate Papers. When they formed a new group, they added Dennis Locorriere. Dennis first joined as the bass player, but he also became the main singer.
They named their new band Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show: Tonic for the Soul. The name was inspired by Ray Sawyer's eyepatch. Ray lost his right eye in a car accident in 1967. After that, he always wore an eyepatch, which made him look a bit like Captain Hook from the Peter Pan story. People sometimes thought Ray was "Dr. Hook." But the band members would joke and point to their bus driver when asked!
Early Days and First Hits (1968-1972)
The band started by playing shows in New Jersey. Their first drummer was Popeye Phillips. He later left to become a studio musician. Joseph Olivier took his place, but then Jay David became the drummer in 1968.
In 1970, a music director named Ron Haffkine heard their demo tapes. He asked the band to record two songs for a movie. This helped Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show get their first record deal! They met with Clive Davis from CBS Records. During the meeting, they showed off their fun and wild style. Billy Francis even danced on the boss's desk! This meeting led to their international success. Ron Haffkine became their manager and producer.
In 1972, they released their first album, Doctor Hook. All the songs on it were written by Shel Silverstein. The album sold over a million copies! Their first big hit from the album was "Sylvia's Mother". It was a funny song that made fun of sad teen love songs. It became a huge hit, selling millions and reaching the top five on the music charts.
Their second album, Sloppy Seconds, also featured songs by Silverstein. It included popular songs like "Freakin' at the Freaker's Ball" and "The Cover of Rolling Stone".
Getting on the Cover of Rolling Stone
"The Cover of 'Rolling Stone'" was another huge hit in 1972. The song joked about how musicians felt they had "made it" if they appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. Ron Haffkine told the magazine's founder that the song was great advertising for them. So, Rolling Stone sent a young writer, Cameron Crowe, to interview the band. Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show then appeared on the cover of the magazine in March 1973! It was a cartoon drawing of them, not a photo.
In the United Kingdom, the BBC Radio wouldn't play the song at first. They thought it was advertising a brand name. But CBS Records set up a phone line where people could call and listen to the song. This made it even more popular! Eventually, some BBC DJs found a way to play it by shouting "Radio Times" (a BBC magazine) over the words "Rolling Stone."
In 1972, the band added two new members: Jance Garfat on bass and Rik Elswit on guitar.
Changes and New Success (1973-1985)
After their first two successful albums, the band faced some challenges. Their next album, Belly Up!, didn't do as well. Dr. Hook was known for their wild stage shows, but they weren't very good at managing their money. Dennis Locorriere said, "If we were in the black when we finished a tour, we'd party into the red." This meant they spent all their earnings! They had to file for bankruptcy in 1974. Even so, they kept touring a lot.
The band's lineup changed a few times. John Wolters replaced drummer Jay David in 1973. Then, founding member George Cummings left in 1975. Later, when Rik Elswit was unwell, the band added Bob "Willard" Henke. Rik got better and returned, and Bob stayed with the band for a while too.
In 1975, the band officially shortened its name to Dr. Hook. They signed with Capitol Records. Their album Bankrupt had a big hit: a new version of Sam Cooke's "Only Sixteen." This song helped them become popular again.
Ron Haffkine found another song called "A Little Bit More" at a flea market. Dr. Hook covered it, and it became a huge hit, reaching number two in the UK! They followed this with albums like A Little Bit More (1976) and Makin' Love and Music (1977). These albums had more big singles, including "Sharing the Night Together" and "When You're in Love with a Beautiful Woman". "When You're in Love with a Beautiful Woman" was a number one hit in the UK in 1979!
Their album Pleasure & Pain (1978) was their first album to sell enough to be certified gold in the US. In 1980, they moved to Casablanca Records. They had their last top 40 hit in the US with "Baby Makes Her Blue-Jeans Talk" in 1982.
Ray Sawyer left the band in 1983 to start a solo career. The band continued to tour for two more years. Their final tour, called "Dr. Hook's One and Only Farewell Tour," happened in 1985. Dennis Locorriere was the only main singer left at that point.
What Happened Next (1985-Present)
After the band split up, Dennis Locorriere kept the rights to the band's name. However, Ray Sawyer was allowed to tour as "Ray Sawyer of Dr. Hook" for many years. Ray Sawyer passed away in 2018. Billy Francis, another original member, also passed away in 2010.
Dennis Locorriere has released his own albums and toured using names like "Voice of Dr. Hook." In 2019, he started the "Dr Hook 50th Anniversary World Tour" with a new group of musicians. The tour was paused for a while but started again in 2021.
Members of Dr. Hook
Here are some of the main members who played in Dr. Hook over the years:
- Dennis Locorriere – He sang, played guitar, bass, and harmonica. (1968–1985, 2019–present)
- Ray Sawyer – He sang, played guitar, and percussion. (1967–1983, 1988–2015; died 2018)
- Billy Francis – He played keyboards and sang. (1968–1985, 2001–2010; died 2010)
- George Cummings – He played lead and steel guitars and sang. (1968–1975)
- John "Jay" David – He played drums. (1968–1973)
- Rik Elswit – He played guitar. (1972–1985)
- Jance Garfat – He played bass. (1972–1985; died 2006)
- John Wolters – He played drums. (1973–1982, 1983–1985; died 1997)
- Bob 'Willard' Henke – He played guitar and keyboards. (1976–1980; died 2023)
Images for kids
-
Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show, 1977.
See also
In Spanish: Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show para niños