Molly Hatchet Road Manager Keith 'Jughead' Johnson. Southern Rock. Flirtin with disaster.

This is episode 6 of 45/50 RPM: A discussion with Molly Hatchet Road Manager Keith 'Jughead' Johnson. We discuss his role with Molly Hatchet, what life on the road touring is like, we discuss the passing of all the original members. We focus mostly on the years 1978 - 1987 and also talk about the first 5 albums and of course we spend some time on discussing the double platinum album 'Flirtin With Disaster'.

[@MrGenzie]

I was Molly Hatchet's limo driver in Los Angeles from 1977 to 1990. So I really got to know these guys and they were pretty hard. Driving hard rockin and hard partying. But Dave Hulbeck was a great guy and all of them are really, really great. I really miss him and I'm so happy. I have the chance to meet him. On the 1981 tour and 82 I would go out on the bus with them when they were in the West from California San Diego Los Angeles Long Beach. And then we will go out to New Mexico Albuquerque. And then I went to Phoenix and Tucson Arizona and some parts of Texas. What a wild time.

[@PhilosopherRock2020]

I bet you also have some great stories!

[@PhilJakes]

I don’t know if you knew him that well maybe you’d spell Dave’s name correctly.

[@fuzzybutkus8970]

@PhilJakes Who are you the prosecuting attorney of spelling for Y/T. Give me a break. It says comment not perfectly constructed sentences.😥😥

[@fuzzybutkus8970]

I forgot until I read your comment. Limos are cheaper than taxi cabs in Chicago. My buddy was a rookie firemen from the city of Downers Grove back in the 80’s. Tommy Shaw from Styx took a liking to him. He Didn’t smoke,drink,do drugs. He had some wild stories. I’m 62 now can’t remember other than blow and hot chicks. You should get a channel with some good stories.

[@sarahanderson7190]

What a great interview. Such an engaging guy to listen to. Go Jug

[@PhilosopherRock2020]

Thank you, I am hoping to have him back in 2024. Stay tuned!

[@TheNCGardener]

Learned to play guitar playing along with these guys. I had the first 4 albums and wore them out playing along. I saw them in Kinston NC in a field around '78 or '79 before the Flirtin release if I remember right. I had a hard time adjusting to Jimmy as there was no one like Danny Joe Brown. Still my favorite music of all time!

[@PhilosopherRock2020]

That Flirtin album still blows me away like the first time I heard all those years ago. Which songs did you learn from? Any specific?

[@TheNCGardener]

One of my favorites was their version of Dreams but anything on the first two albums is burned into my brain. I also had a LS Second Helping album and Blackfoot album that contributed to my addition to southern rock guitars. I am playing bass now days and last night watched a Hatchet concert with Riff. He was great! They all Kicked butt! @@PhilosopherRock2020

[@aschule5684]

Did a lot of playing along myself and really loved these guys when the first album came out. After the Skynyrd disaster they picked up the flag and ran with it. It was pretty much just the first 2 albums for me. I'd bought BTO'S but I was heartbroken when I realized Danny Joe Brown wasn't on the album and wouldn't have bought it had I realized before hand. Sorry Jimmy, it's just Danny Joe Brown was as irreplaceable as Ronnie Van Zant to me and I lost interest and moved on.

[@firstade]

Fantastic show! I've heard of Molly Hatchet, but I don't think I've ever listened to Molly Hatchet. I will definitely give them a listen now.

[@PhilosopherRock2020]

Hey thanks for the comment. Give the Flirtn With Disaster album a spin first is my recommendation.

[@sjdanthem]

I met Bruce Crump in a bar in the late 90s early 2000s(?) and got a chance to chat with him. He had gone to my high school for a couple years (before my time there) so we got a chance to talk about that. He was so nice. We ended up hanging out every so often but lost contact over time. A decade or so later I was hanging out with a friend who had gone to a mens' alcohol rehab retreat. The subject of Molly Hatchet came up and I told the story about meeting Bruce and how unassuming and nice he was. He said "I know him well," and told a story about getting to know Bruce at an addiction retreat. .....He said that at some point everyone figured out who he was and started asking for autographs but he always declined in a friendly way saying he was just another regular guy struggling just like them. At the end of the program they all got together for one last group meeting and Bruce brought in a drum skin. He asked all the group members to sign the drum skin for him to remember them by. That's the Bruce Crump I knew for that very short time. God Bless him.

[@PhilosopherRock2020]

Brilliant story. Shows his humility. Thanks for sharing that.

[@sjdanthem]

@@PhilosopherRock2020 Thanks, man.

[@Mission2Transition641]

great story. I former co worker of mine years ago played bass in Sweetwater. He said they toured with Hatchet and saw them in studios in Georgia. He said the coolest, friendliest guy in the band was Bruce. Years and years ago, before Facebook, KZbin, I somehow got Bruce's email from an interview online. He replied to my email with an awesome friendly email telling me what he had been up to. RIP Bruce.

[@sjdanthem]

@@Mission2Transition641 Very cool.

[@jaxflfreebird]

I don't doubt that Bruce Crump went to rehab because Whisky Man was supposedly written about him and that's the way DJB would introduce the song. Most of the original members were LONG GONE in the 90's. It was a completely different band and DJB left the band in 1995. So, who was available to sign the drum skin? We are to believe that Bruce Crump, who was not in the band went on a journey to find the original members or was it the replacement players? What sort of contact did Bruce Crump even have with the band? He was out of the band by 1983. Did he come back? I just don't quite understand your story. You're either leaving out some important details or you tell me. God Bless Bruce and all the band members living and dead but the story seems to be lacking some substance. You could fill us in. I might sound like a dick. I might be acting like a dick but did Bruce Crump keep up with all the old members who didn't live in the same town. How did he find the old members. Or did he just where the band was playing. Did he track them down at a show? What the hey?

[@FilthyTom420]

78-79 Canton, Michigan. Danny Joe and the triple guitar threat. Wicked it was.

[@PhilosopherRock2020]

Yes Tom. A fantastic era. I love twin guitar but triple. Yes sir! lol.

[@FilthyTom420]

@@PhilosopherRock2020 3 guitar army, Hubek, Holland, Roland, that adds up to three, anywhere on earth. Lol my ass.

[@PhilosopherRock2020]

@@FilthyTom420 Yes. I was in agreeance.

[@b.lloydreese2030]

Always a joy to get these behind the scenes stories! I never knew what all goes into putting on a show, quite a lot.of.work!

[@PhilosopherRock2020]

Me too!

[@GhostRider-mm6ky]

This is the video that made me subscribe

[@PhilosopherRock2020]

Thank You!

[@themosquitoguy3529]

May 27, 1983. Molly Hatchet played the Great Arena at Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey. I was a member of the GA stage crew and got to spend several hours hanging out with Danny, Dave, Dwayne, Riff, BB, and the memories will last me a lifetime. Somebody should make a movie about this band.

[@PhilosopherRock2020]

Agree. So many good stories. It would be a difficult job to get a decent movie down to 90 mins or so.

[@arkhllraiser]

I was at that show...they ROCKED!!

[@DR._PAUL]

My first concert was MH in about 1980, Knoxvile. Jimmy was singing and i got to meet Dave. What a show. Great interview.

[@PhilosopherRock2020]

Paul, do you mean your first ever concert? If so, wow. What a great first concert.

[@DR._PAUL]

It was the first concert I ever attended. I was in high school and just learning guitar. There were not many people on the floor and Dave was on the mixing stage playing a cassette of the Back in Black album which hadn't been out long. You could tell he was liking it and it sounded great through their PA. Anyway, I yelled up at him asked, "are you Dave?" I told him my name and that I was a big fan. The stage was raised and he had already leaned a distance to be able to hear me. He stretched down even further to shake my hand, saying, "Im Dave Hlubek, it is nice to meet you." My friends all saw me speaking and shaking hands with him as well,,,lol ... they wouldnt have believed me otherwise. -Needless to say who my guitar hero was and is. I write a lot of music and you can probably hear some of his influence in my songs. -If you search PG Humphrey Rodeo on here. My riff in that song was inspired by Beatin the Odds. It meant a lot for someone famous to take time for a young fan. He was a nice guy, and a big-hearted guy. In his hay day he was a true rock star and a blizzard on guitar. I was certainly influenced for the good by that small act of kindness.

[@dantwomey4215]

I just happened to catch Molly Hatchet at the Channel (now Lilly Pharmaceutical😄) in Boston. circa 1990. I loved their tunes in HS circa 1980.🤣. Caught a lot of people off guard. Absolutely floored us. What grooves. Dynamite guitar harmonies, baby grand piano etc Sounded absolutely phenomenal . One of the last pure, excellent rock sounds my ears have got to hear in a show.

[@PhilosopherRock2020]

Absolutely agree!

[@sticksandbones6987]

Fantastic interview!!! Thank you!

[@PhilosopherRock2020]

Thanks for listening

[@Jeff-ev8pt]

Jacksonville Florida...the good ol days.

[@davidrice3337]

When Danny left , Molly Hatchet ceased - I saw them before and after - No question -

[@moemulkey2264]

I agree i was there...

[@moemulkey2264]

Danny was the man...!

[@knowmusicman157]

What I remember is Skynyrd was gone in ‘77. There was a big depression and gap without them. Along comes Hatchet and we thought Skynyrd had been reincarnated. We learned about the Hatchet boys and we were back in business!

[@ShannonR001]

Didn’t Skynyrd have the big show in Oakland in 77 and they were pretty famous, the crowd there was insane. I remember the plane crash being 3 months later ( shocked the music world, of course) but I thought skynyrd was going strong in 77, not absolutel positive but I was thinking they were very popular (skynyrd) at that time.

[@graemebrown2413]

Thanks GK, it brings back the memories of listening to the "Flirtin' with Disaster" album as part of our "youthful" life soundtrack. Thanks also for sharing the "Gorilla suit" guy story at the end. I remember that episode fondly from the Byron Bay concert. What a Crazy Crazy time!

[@PhilosopherRock2020]

Yes. Your solo during 'Wild Thing" gave plenty of time for strange things to happen. And that gorilla suit guy was one of the best!

[@Mission2Transition641]

a friend of mine turned me onto Flirtin LP in 1979. I remember getting that album for Christmas, its the only one I wanted. Me and my buddy were learning guitar and we would try to learn the first two albums. Came to our city in DEC. 1980 with Jimmy on vocals. Beatin the Odds Tour. Last time I saw them was in Germany in 1993 with Danny still on vocals. I highly recommend listening to LIVE AT THE ALGORA BALLROOM in ATLANTA...great live release from years ago. SMOKIN!

[@PhilosopherRock2020]

A number of people tell me they learned some guitar from those early MH albums. They were definitely on the radar of the band I was in at the time. The Flirtin album still one of my all time favorites!

[@HildaKlein-wh9xt]

Great interview and awesome stories from both GK and Jug! As well as a fantastic insight into life on the road of a band. A tour bus, using a pay phone and federal express. 😄How things have changed. Any chance of more stories from Jug? It is great that you are Remembering these amazing Past Musicians. Keep them coming!!!

[@PhilosopherRock2020]

Thank you. I hope so!

[@danarudgers3975]

I saw them on the REO tour. My college gym. Hatchet guys on the floor with us kids watching REO. Very cool..

[@PhilosopherRock2020]

Dan, what a great experience. Did you get to meet the guys at that concert? Were REO great live?

[@danarudgers3975]

@@PhilosopherRock2020 Years later I met Dave Hlubek and when I told him that, he said yes, we used to do that back then. I knew Phil, and had lunch with him not long before his passing, on Southern Rock Cruise.

[@davidrice3337]

Back when Richrath ruled -

[@orlandobacklinerentals]

Classic Jughead!❤️

[@PhilosopherRock2020]

He is a great interviewee. I hope to get him back on in 2024.

[@mdv1236]

Great interview.

[@PhilosopherRock2020]

Thanks, Jug has so much knowledge, might have to have him back.

[@themosquitoguy3529]

Just a little clarification, BB Borden joined in 83 on No Guts. He’s still alive playing with Marshall Tucker now.

[@PhilosopherRock2020]

Thank you!

[@ShannonR001]

I’m so happy to hear that news. Always loved MH. One band that knows how it’s done. I miss all of em but Danny Joe’s shoes could never be filled in my opinion. He’s really something special. Miss you guys so much !!! ❌⭕️❌⭕️❌⭕️❌⭕️❌⭕️

[@jukeboxjimi435]

Got to see original Molly Hatchet lineup twice once open for Triumph and once open for original Blackfoot, Molly Hatchet new how to rock out.

[@PhilosopherRock2020]

Another great band, Triumph. That must have been some show with both Molly Hatchet and Triump in one show.

[@thestadiumshoppeonrazorbac7150]

Something I want him to talk about is about a show in Arkansas. January 15, 1980. Barton Coliseum. 3 days before my 18'th birthday. .38 Special opened then Point Blank played. Then Hatchet. About the 3rd song someone threw a bottle that hit the drummer cymbal, glanced off and hit Bruce Crump. Danny Joe said to not throw anything and promptly another bottle was thrown landing and breaking at Danny's feet. Danny Joe throws down the Mic, walks off the stage & the band mates followed. Lights come up and an almost riot ensues. Bottles rained down on the stage. Things settled down and a rather large roadie (I think it was) came out and said the show would go on but clean up was needed and "if anyone else wants to throw a bottle throw it at me..... but have the balls to meet me out back after the show". I got up to go buy a T-Shirt. When I reached the concourse I was met with RIOT COPS EVERYWHERE. Does he remember this night? A friend told me his mother was on duty as the EMS person for the show and that Danny Joe was so mad he threw a folding chair and hit his own girlfriend. By accident he said.... TRUE?

[@PhilosopherRock2020]

I am recording with him Today. I will pass your comment on.

[@PhilosopherRock2020]

We talked about this and that will be included in an upcoming episode. Stay tuned. I apologise ahead of time I may have butchered your user name but I did get your question answered 😀

[@YvonThriftyRich]

Thank you for posting this ... love behind the scenes type stories RIP Danny xoxo

[@PhilosopherRock2020]

Thank you. Working on having Jug back for more.

[@rickwhitwood1313]

I saw band in 78 & 79 & 84 with Danny Joe. Saw them in 82 with Jimmy Farrar. Beatin the Odds has the most focused songwriting of all albums. Huge fan in the heyday and always preferred Jimmy by a nose.

[@PhilosopherRock2020]

I would have loved to see them live in that Flirtin With Disaster era.

[@davidrice3337]

you're the only one

[@cass7142]

Saw them in 1979... Great band, all original members at the Cumberland, Maryland fairgrounds...was the "FLIRTIN WITH DISASTER TOUR"!!! ( I lived right down the street...i walked to the show!!!) LOVE ME SUM MOLLY HATCHET... SO SAD ALL ORIGINAL MEMBERS HAVE SINCE PASSED... LONG LIVE "M.H." I'll never forget that show...front row...I was 15-16 yrs old... What a great band...🤘🤘🤘🤘... R.I.P. fella's...keep rockin in the heavens...🤘🤘🤘

[@Tonetwisters]

Went to school at duPont JR/SR High School with Pat Armstrong, and Keith is a former brother-in-law of mine, many decades ago. Glad Keith had such a successful stint with Molly ... And the guy who founded Federal Express was a friend of a guy (Freddie Caddell) who got my brother started on guitar, who was also a duPont HS graduate ... I think Keith might have gone to Bolles, just down the street from duPont ... been too many years and the RAM done gone! But lots of connections there between all these people way back in history. I was working at Marvin Kay's MusiCenter when they got their contract (IIRC). Hlubeck came in looking for some Peavey amplifiers, and I asked him how he was doing. He replied "Better'n you, man!" and brushed right past me to find Marvin. I think most of the musicians in Jacksonville had Dave Hlubeck stories ... I sure like Keith's tone and attitude in this interview. And you can tell that Keith is proud of what he did and proud of who the band was. And I knew his parents, and yeh, he was not lying on that doctor thing. And it sounds like the Lord was talking to you, Keith when you had those "premonitions." And that music museum needs to include the original Classics and the Emeralds and the Echos. Yes. LOTS of the world's music came right out of Jacksonville, including Pat Boone, Johnny Tillotson and Mae Axton and Mike Campbell ...

[@PhilosopherRock2020]

Keith certainly has some great knowledge on MH from his time with them. Good to keep the history alive!

[@thrillhouse-on5mv]

Great interview. Maybe Jug could get two birds with one stone? Head down to visit Australia and have a pop at GK now he told you about how they got the name Molly Hatchet?

[@PhilosopherRock2020]

I do thank you for your comment but Im not sure he was serious about doing that to me.

[@thrillhouse-on5mv]

​@@PhilosopherRock2020 I dunno about that, Jug sounds pretty serious. I wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of him now he has told the secrets of Molly Hatchett (looks like I owe him $1000). Just joking around GK. Great interview and really enjoyed Jug as the guest on this one

[@PhilosopherRock2020]

@@thrillhouse-on5mv glad you enjoyed it!

[@jimbo1959]

They got the name from a 17th century murderess the press dubbed " Hatchet Molly ".

[@malcomyoung7637]

"Fall of the peacemakers" Nuff said.

[@PhilosopherRock2020]

Definitely one of their best.

[@billyperry6242]

I grew up with Steve Holland in VA Beach And I dated his sister Nicky. And whoever is in Hatchet now is not even close to the real heartfelt music I went to a local place here I left half way through their show no soul

[@knowmusicman157]

Do you mean Weird Al Yankovich’s brother?

[@stephenfiore9960]

1x(3/16/24)…..44:00…….done thank you excellent. I’m live in Gainesville Florida. I consider Gainesville/Jacksonville Gator country. Where exactly is Gator country to you????

[@PhilosopherRock2020]

I will ask Jug.

[@PhilosopherRock2020]

Stephen, I am not qualified to answer as I have never been there 😀 but I have been told its the "Whole state of Florida". Cheers, GK.

[@seekandcrush]

Ya know? yep I do know!

[@Jeff-ev8pt]

Anybody remember Skinners Rock bar at Jax Beach?

[@PhilosopherRock2020]

Did they play there a few times back in the day Jeff?

[@knowmusicman157]

They were there but don’t remember anything!!!

[@waynevincent5941]

Don't believe everything that is said

[@PhilosopherRock2020]

What do you mean? Have an example?

[@Fukna69]

Man back in the day I don’t know why but to jump on stage was, I don’t know cool? crazy?or just kinda popular I quess but I was at a Hatchet show drunk, stoned, high and a little bit fucked up 😂 but I was “dared” so I did , threw my ass out 😂