DOUG FIEGERLead singer of the New Wave rock band The Knack - Doug Fieger - died from lung cancer on 14 February, 2010. He was 57.
He sang lead vocals on the group's biggest international hit, My Sharona, in 1979. He also co-wrote the song with the group's lead guitarist Berton Averre.
Born in Detroit, many felt he was destined for stardom from an early age. Local newspaper The Detroit News reported that he was staging his own dramatic productions as a child.
While still at high school he formed the band Sky who made two albums for RCA Records.
It was in the early 1970s that Doug met Bruce Gary, the first drummer of The Knack. He sadly died in 2006.They were joined by guitarist Berton Averre and Prescott Niles to complete the line-up of The Knack.
Allegedly the inspiration behind My Sharona was an attempt to create an updated version of Buddy Holly's Not Fade Away.
The band's debut album, Get The Knack, which included My Sharona,was recorded in 11 days for $17,000. It was the first of six studioalbums.
My Sharona has been covered many times down the years and appeared on screen in situations as diverse as the 1994 film Reality Bites and in the recent UK television commercial for the cereal Oatibix.
He battled lung cancer for six years and also underwent brain surgery during which two tumours were removed.
He died in Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
The surviving band members have paid tribute. "Our hearts are broken, we will miss you Doug," they wrote on the band's website Knack.com.
Keep me informed of updates
