I knew Doug, Bill, Jesse, "Phil" Rhodes back in the old days of the Long Wongs on Mill Ave. Tempe. I used to bartend for the original owners, Ronny Goldstein with his family, Mr. and Mrs. "G". It was very nice you did this story about Doug, the man who wrote from his heart.
I was hanging out with Doug the day after he got back to Tempe from Memphis. We were at a local bar called 6 East, and knowing what I know now, he was basically in denial about his situation. He fully assumed he was going back to record the rest of the album. He was asking if one of us wanted to go back to TN with him. His problem was that by this time he was completely physically dependent on alcohol. It was unfathomable to think of the Gin Blossoms without Doug writing the songs and playing guitar. I can't imagine what the other guys were feeling when they had to make the decision to move forward without him.
great video. not enough people talk about doug and his leadership during the early days of the gin blossoms. i hope more people hear his story, i believe he was one of the most talented song writers in the 90s but he was cut short.
I had a license plate frame made for the back of my car that says Doug Hopkins Tempe AZ. It was the one way I could think of for many people to see his name. I’m in NJ so I’m sure most everyone couldn’t care less, but I do.
