Details
- Reference NumberARC-0026
- Level of descriptioncollection
- TitleDoug Fieger Papers
- Date1978-2010, undated
- Size7.83 (Linear feet)
- Scope and ContentsThe Doug Fieger Papers span the years 1978 to 2010, with the bulk of the papers dating between 1979 and 1981. The collection provides rich documentation of the power pop group, The Knack. The majority of the articles and clippings, audiovisual materials, business files, fan club documents, lyrics, and posters in the collection follow the career of the Knack from their smash hit in 1979, "My Sharona," to the revitalization of the song in 1994 in the film, Reality Bites. The personal files and publications in the collection more accurately portray Fieger's interest in the lives of his family, friends, and colleagues, the role of Nick that he played on TV's Roseanne, and his love of vintage guitars. The collection highlights the life of a rock band from obscurity to superstardom and back again. It also provides perspective into Fieger's creative process, his career with and without the Knack, and his personal interests.
- Biography / Administrative HistoryDoug Fieger was best known as the lead singer of the Knack and co-writer with guitarist Berton Averre of the group's 1979 number one hit "My Sharona." His colorful and storied career went beyond that hit recording and the band, however, with an array of escapades in the music industry dating back to when he was a young teen with Jeff Beck, Bobby Keys, Jim Price, Pete Townsend, Traffic, and the Plastic Ono Band's Alan White, and a more serious side, including production work and interactions with Roy Orbison, Ringo Starr, and Was Not Was, among others.
- Timeline1952 August 20: Douglas Lars Fieger is born in Oak Park, Michigan.
1964 February: Fieger picks up the guitar and begins playing with the Royal Jammers.
1966: Fieger and Coury form the group Sky and are managed by the owner of the Grande Ballroom, Detroit.
circa 1968: Jimmy Miller signs Sky.
1970: Sky records their first album at Olympic Studios for RCA Records.
1971: Fieger meets Bruce Gary (Knack's first drummer).
1971: Sky records their second album.
1973: Feiger and Gary meet Berton Averre (lead guitar/backing vocals/keyboards for the Knack).
1974: Fieger plays bass for a short time in the German progressive rock band Triumvirat.
1978 June: Meets last member of the Knack, Prescott Niles (bass), a week before the band's first show.
1979: Capitol Records wins bidding war for the Knack against 12 other record companies.
1979 August 25: "My Sharona," from the album, Get the Knack, spends six weeks on Billboard's Hot 100.
1980: Album, ...But the Little Girls Understand, is released.
1981: Album, Round Trip, is released.
1982: The Knack breaks up.
1986-1987: The Knack regroups to tour.
1991: Don Was produces album Serious Fun for the Knack.
1991: Billy Ward replaces Bruce Gary on drums.
1994: Popularity of "My Sharona" is revived through use in the film, Reality Bites.
1997 April: Knack performs to capacity at the Viper Room.
1997: Knack performs on two tribute albums: Come and Get It: A Tribute to Badfinger and One Step Up / Two Steps Back: The Songs of Bruce Springsteen.
1998: Album, Zoom, is released on Rhino Records.
1999: Fieger releases solo album, First Things First.
2001: Laserdisc, Live at the Rock 'n' Roll Funhouse, is released.
2001: Album, Normal As The Next Guy, is released.
2006 August 22: Bruce Gary dies of lymphoma.
2010 February 14: Fieger dies after battling cancer for many years. - NotesProcessing Information: Processed by Jennie Thomas, Archivist. Completed October 8, 2010. Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS and local processing manual.
Language Note: Collection is predominantly in English. Materials in Spanish are identified at the file or item level, as appropriate.
Acquisition Note: The Doug Fieger Papers were received by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. as gifts from his sister Beth Falkenstein on September 3, 2010 and April 14, 2011.
Citation: [Identification of item], Doug Fieger Papers, Library and Archives, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
Separated Materials: 45 rpm records, books, magazines, and concert programs in this collection have been transferred to the library. Please search for the "Doug Fieger Papers" in the library catalog for a list of donated titles. Some items are on exhibit. These items are noted at the item level. If you are unable to find what you are looking for, consult the Library and Archives staff to ensure these materials are available. - AccessCollection is open for research. Patrons must sign the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights statement on the Researcher Registration form before using this collection. Consult the Library and Archives in advance of your visit to ensure access to these materials is available.
- UseThe copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. For more information, please consult the staff of the Library and Archives.
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