Dr. Hook

Written by cartoonist, veteran, and author Shel Silverstein, the band eventually, sort of, got their wish to be on the cover of the legendary magazine, when the publishers featured caricatures of some of the band. www.rollingstone.com

The band name was inspired by Ray Sawyer's eyepatch and a reference to Captain Hook of the Peter Pan fairy tale. Sawyer lost his right eye in a near-fatal car crash in Oregon in 1967, and thereafter wore an eyepatch, leading some people to believe that he was Dr Hook; when asked by fans which band member was Dr Hook, they would all point to the bus driver. I too almost lost my eye due to a Lion King kite in 1996.

Shel Silverstein wrote every song on this album, and on their 1971 debut album as well ; here's Shel introducing the band on his houseboat: youtu.be

Shel Silverstein wrote every song on this album, and on their 1971 debut album as well ; here's Shel introducing the band on his houseboat: www.youtube.com

Ray Sawyer died on December 31st, 2018 at the age of 81. Shel Silverstein wrote most of the songs for the band’s first few albums, including the signature hit “The Cover of Rolling Stone". Sawyer sang lead vocals on this track. According to Sawyer, he got a late-night phone call from Silverstein while touring and Silverstein dictated the lyrics. Sawyer wore an eye-patch due to the loss of his eye in a car crash, which caused his band members to think of Captain Hook from Peter Pan. Using this inspiration they named themselves Dr. Hook & the Medicine show.