Remembering Molly Hatchet Founder, Dave Hlubek
by Best Classic Bands Staff
The announcement of Hlubek’s passing appeared on Molly Hatchet’s Facebook page on September 3, 2017
Hours after the music world was stunned with the passing of Steely Dan co-founder Walter Becker on September 3, 2017, the news arrived that Dave Hlubek, the Molly Hatchet founder, lead guitarist and co-writer of many songs including “Flirtin’ With Disaster,” had died the day before, on September 2, of a heart attack. Hlubek had just turned 66 on Aug. 28.
On their Facebook page, Molly Hatchet wrote a statement: “It is with great sorrow to announce the passing of our beloved friend and band member Dave Hlubek. Dave was one of the founding lead guitarists of Molly Hatchet. Amongst his many contributions to southern rock is ‘Flirtin’ with Disaster.’ Our condolences and our prayers go out to his family during this time of loss. He will be missed but never forgotten, as the music lives on through his legacy in Molly Hatchet.”
This marked the second death in the Molly Hatchet family in 2017. On April 10, bassist Banner Thomas, an early member of the Southern Rock band, died at age 60.
Related: Our Banner Thomas obituary
Molly Hatchet was formed in the early ’70s in Jacksonville, Fla., and was named after a famous 17th century axe murderess “hatchet molly,” who would behead her lovers with the hand tool Lizzy Borden made famous, according to the band’s website. The original band featured lead guitarist Hlubek, guitarist Steve Holland and bassist Thomas, with drummer Bruce Crump and guitarist Duane Roland joining in the mid-’70s. Hlubek was the band’s vocalist prior to Danny Joe Brown, who joined in 1976.
Thomas and Hlubek wrote and co-produced most of the band’s original material. The group is said to have filled a gap in the Southern Rock genre following the death of several members of Lynyrd Skynyrd in a plane crash.
Watch Molly Hatchet perform “Flirtin’ With Disaster”
Related: Molly Hatchet are included in our story, 11 great southern rock albums
8 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationWhat a loss. I know he’s jamming with Danny Joe, Bruce, Banner, Duane, and Riff up in heaven. This leaves only Steve Holland now. Between this and Walter Becker’s death, this is a sad day for classic rock.
Hear what yer sayin, T-Bone. Seems like we’re losing a lot of legends this year. Only consolation is we know they’ve got one helluva band up there. Be amazing to see the whole bunch of em together, jammin their asses off!!! I know they will NEVER be forgotten. Rock on, brothers n sisters….
Bruce Crump the bands drummer also passed a few years back. May they all Rest In Peace!
Our thoughts go out to family and friends. Our hearts are saddened.
Southern Rock lost another Legend. Earlier this year we lost Gregg Allman & now we have lost Dave Hlubek. Thanks for the music Dave. You will be missed by many & loved by the people who knew you.
Dave Hlubek was a great guitar player. One of the originals. R.i.p. Dave.
l just played “Flirting” to put on a CD mix for an upcoming road trip to see Deep Purple/Alice Cooper/Edgar Winter concert! Great Band! He has left us, what he gave remains!
Got to see Molly Hatchet open for the Outlaws Friday, March 23-1979 at the Fox
Atlanta.Ticket price $7.75
From what I can remember, Molly Hatchet played a better show than the Outlaws.