WOODLAND HILLS—On February 14, Doug Fieger, the lead singer of the Power Pop band, “The Knack,” passed away in his Woodland Hills home after his six-year battle with lung cancer, according to the band’s Web site.
The Web site describes Fieger as “brilliant, witty, with a wry and biting sense of humor,” and states that his sometimes outspoken and argumentative nature was recognized by those who loved him as “a thin facade for genuinely caring and gentle soul.” Fieger is renowned as the co-author of the 1979 hit song “My Sharona,” with Berton Averre, the band’s lead guitarist.
The Knack’s first gig was at Hollywood’s Whisky A Go-Go nightclub in 1978, and other nightclubs in Los Angeles, such as West Hollywood’s The Troubadour. Capital Records signed off the band in 1979.
Fieger is survived by his brother Geoffrey, his sister Beth Falkenstein, his nieces and nephews, Freya, Gretal, Julian, Aidan and Quinn. He was also very close to his wife of 10 years, Mia, “who was with him continuously at the end.”
The Knack Web site features links on the bios, discography and fan club of the band. The Knack is also available on MySpace at myspace.com/theknackband. Doug Fieger’s official Web site is officialdougfieger.com/.
