Doobie Brothers drummer John Hartman has died aged 72.
The musician, who co-founded the group and served as the original drummer, was hailed as a “wild ghost” in a statement from his former bandmates.
“Today we think of John Hartman, or Little John of us,” it said. John was a wild spirit, great drummer and showman during his time in the Doobies.
He was also a close friend for many years and an intricate part of the band’s personality.
“We extend our condolences to all of his loved ones at this time. Rest in peace Jan.’
His cause of death has not been confirmed.
Hartman co-founded the Doobie Brothers in the early 1970s, along with frontman Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons — after another musical venture didn’t quite work out.
He played the drums on the band’s first eight albums and played on some of their most popular songs, landing two Billboard songs during that time.
The late musician could be heard on Listen To The Music, Black Water, Minute by Minute and What A Fool Believes, among others.
The trio was joined by a second drummer Michael Hossack, as well as a new bassist in Tiran Porter.
However, Hartman grew tired of the tensions in the group and finally decided to leave in 1979.
“Everything fell apart,” he told Rolling Stone of his departure in 2020 — when the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
“I remember sitting in California at a rehearsal and hearing Michael say he wouldn’t get out of his car out of fear.”
This didn’t last long and he returned to the fold for a benefit tour in 1987 and officially rejoined as a drummer shortly after, with appearances on the Cycles album in 1989.
“The road treats us the same, we just don’t treat it the same,” he told the Associated Press at the time.
Hartman continued with the Doobie Brothers until he officially retired from the limelight in 1992.
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