In Memoriam: Doug Fieger (1952-2010)

They say a guy never forgets his first, and that's certainly true for an A&R guy and his first signing. My first was The Knack. I got to be part of something truly spectacular at the time, and part of something that will last eternally. For me that not only means lifelong friendships with the band, but also with many of their friends and fans. Their music touched many millions, and Doug always said it was about having fun. We all know what happens when we encounter a fellow Knack fan. They get a gleam in their eyes that exceeds how they might react to the mention of almost anyone else.

Doug had a heart the size of the universe. He always had a clear view on things and after becoming sober in '83, he helped countless other people get their lives together. Doug was often called upon to council well-known artists because he could relate to them so well. Kurt Cobain was a huge Knack fan. Doug was scheduled to meet with Kurt at the rehab center, but the Nirvana singer went AWOL and killed himself. Doug always wondered if maybe he could have had an effect, but he also felt that what happened with Kurt was thus meant to be.

Even with his own cancer, Doug was realistic and inspiring. He was given a year to live and far exceeded that. Doug continued to be a pillar of strength and was always forthright about his ordeal. He always said, "It is what it is." "I've lived the lives of seven people." Doug wasn't afraid of death but was worried about his friends because he didn't want people being concerned about him. Please know that he went quietly. It was a surreal scene at his house on the final day. I don't know the last time I've seen so much love in one place. We knew the end was near, and Doug slept comfortably for the most part as he was surrounded by loved ones. Ringo came by and sang "She Loves You" to him while he slept. Jeff Lynne, Slash, and Don Was were among the visitors. Many of us spent hours at the house, speaking to him when we could, thanking him for all he gave us and the world, and sharing memories with each other. Even on this day, Doug retained his sense of humor.

I interviewed Doug for my annual Madison winter radio marathon in January, 2007. We talked about things like the writing of "My Sharona" and how he worked with other musicians who had abuse problems. You can hear it here.

Doug and I would have dinner and see a movie every few weeks. He was one of those brilliant people who was conversant on virtually everything. It always amazed me that while Doug didn't closely follow the news, he could still speak in depth on any current topic. I'm sure you know he was one of the world's biggest Beatle fans. When Doug married Mia on a Maui beach, he sang "I Will" to her. What a moment! I was with Doug and Sharona the night John was murdered. When we heard the news, Doug reacted like many of us did, times three. Once we recovered, we went out for French food, to celebrate Lennon's life. That's how Doug wanted us to remember his own time on earth. We can celebrate his life and continue to love his music. With his love of the Beatles, I reflect on Paul Mc Cartney's song "End of the End" from the 2007 album "Memory Almost Full". As much as Doug and I talked openly about his ordeal, I couldn't quite bring myself to mention Paul's song to him. The lyrics are below, and I'm thinking Doug could have written them himself. Wherever he is, he's okay. We love him.