Iconic folk rock singer known for hit song One Toke Over the Line dies at 80 after three-year health battle
As a devoted fan of Brewer & Shipley, the news of Michael Brewer’s passing at 80 years old leaves me heartbroken and reminiscing about the good old days. I vividly remember grooving to their iconic hit “One Toke Over the Line,” a tune that perfectly encapsulated the spirit of the late ’60s and early ’70s.
80-year-old musician Michael Brewer, one half of the duo Brewer & Shipley, most recognized by their hit song “One Toke Over the Line,” has passed away.
On Facebook, Tom Shipley, Brewer’s musical companion, shared the sad news about the death of the renowned singer-songwriter, who had been fighting a health issue for three years, on Tuesday.
My longtime friend and musical collaborator for more than six decades passed away,” Shipley stated, further mentioning that the last time they met was at Cox Medical Center Branson in Branson, Missouri on December 14th.
As an ardent admirer, I can share that Shipley conveyed to me he yearned for home, feeling frail and utterly exhausted. On the tranquil Sunday, they escorted him back home, and just now, his beloved Scarlett phoned to break the heartrending news: he had departed from our world.
Tonight, I’ll toast to Michael, reminiscing about the years, the journeys, the tunes, and the divine crowds we serenaded.
In wrapping up his heartfelt message, Shipley expressed, “Farewell, my friend. May God be with you. I’ll meet you beyond this world.
On their Facebook page, an obituary mentioned that Brewer had been fighting various health issues over the past three years.
In the tumultuous era of America during the late 1960s and early 1970s, a time marked by upheaval and the Vietnam War, Brewer & Shipley experienced their greatest triumphs. This period was characterized by significant changes in society.
Released in March of 1971, “One Toke Over the Line” made relevant allusions to the period of free love and marijuana consumption.
As a devoted admirer, I came across an intriguing tidbit in Hunter S. Thompson’s novel Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: ‘One Toke Over The Line’ was referenced in its opening chapter. Interestingly enough, this term has made appearances in various films, such as Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas and St. Vincent, and even the video game Grand Theft Auto IV.
In an interview with NPR’s A Breath of Fresh Air in February 2022, Brewer revealed that the idea for their sole Top 40 hit track originated from a humorous comment about marijuana.
As a lifestyle connoisseur, I must confess, the creation of this piece was primarily fueled by entertainment and camaraderie. A friend graced us with some exceptional Lebanese hash just before we were about to take the stage for our fourth set. Needless to say, it added an extra layer of fun to our performance!
Outside, we had a few puffs and prepared ourselves for our final performance. Tom remarked, “I’ve smoked one too many,” which made me laugh out loud.
Brewer’s official cause of death had not been announced as of Monday, People reported.
Born in Oklahoma City on April 14, 1944, Brewer started his musical journey as a high school student, singing and drumming in a rock band. After graduating in 1962, he played at coffee houses across the nation, eventually meeting Shipley in Kent, Ohio.
In 1965, Tom Mastin (a singer-songwriter) and Brewer started performing together as Mastin & Brewer. They signed a contract with Columbia Records, relocating to Los Angeles. However, before they released their first album, Mastin left the group. Afterward, Brewer began collaborating with Shipley, writing songs for A&M Records.
Additionally, two solo tracks from the duo made it into the Billboard Hot 100 during that period: “1970’s Tarkio Road” reached as high as No. 55, while “Shake Off the Demon”, released in 1972, managed to chart at position 98.
Artists like David Lee Roth, The Byrds, and the late John Denver have paid tribute to this group’s work in their performances. Their demise was acknowledged on Facebook, and they had the privilege of being featured on popular TV shows such as The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and The Dick Cavett Show.
The musical pair split up in 1980, but reunited for shows in 1987.
Michael Brewer’s discography encompasses albums like “Beauty Lies” (released in 1983), “Michael Brewer/Retro Man” (from 2004), “It Is What It Is” (2010), and “Dancing with My Shadow” (2012).
As per an online tribute, Brewer leaves behind his wife Scarlett Cameron, as well as daughters Carrie Smith and Sarah Brewer. Additionally, Scarlett Cameron has daughters named Tara Cameron Winker and Suzy Cameron, who are also survivors. Brewer’s niece Leigh Bodenheimer is also among the survivors. Furthermore, there are several grandchildren who survived him.
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2024-12-24 05:35