After the guys worked on their sound for a while, inspired by gritty rock n roll, they finally recorded and released their first album, 1978's 'Molly Hatchet'. Then, in 1979, 'Flirtin' with Disaster' came out. The group's work earned them both critical praise and commerical success, the album hitting the #19 slot on the Billboard top 200 chart. Allmusic's Rob Theakston has spoken for many in writing that the "tour de force" of a record shows that " the band means business".
Yet the group's history would prove to be a rocky one. In 1980, Brown left the group to form The Danny Joe Brown Band (with future Molly Hatchet guitarist Bobby Ingram). He was replaced by vocalist Jimmy Farrar. After the release of Beatin' the Odds in 1980 and Take No Prisoners in 1981, Farrar left as well.
Brown rejoined the band in 1982 and Banner Thomas left and was replaced by Riff West. In 1983, a new album was released titled No Guts... No Glory. Steve Holland left and was replaced by keyboardist John Galvin.
In 1984 came the release of a new album The Deed Is Done. In 1985 Dave Hlubek left and he was replaced by Bobby Ingram. Then in 1985, the double live album Double Trouble Live was released.
The band continued to tour regularly, and then in 1989 the album Lightning Strikes Twice was released.
1990s
In 1991, the greatest hits collection Greatest Hits was released. Molly Hatchet was in ways similar to fellow Southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd in that it paired strong guitar work with a pounding boogie beat. When Brown left the band after Flirtin' with Disaster and was replaced by Farrar, the band's sound turned more to jamming and free form. When Brown returned in time for No Guts...No Glory, the original sound returned as well.
In 1996 due to a stroke and illness Brown had to leave the band, bringing in lead singer Phil McCormack to finish the album Devils Canyon in 1996.
At this point, the band consisted of members: vocalist Phil McCormack, guitarists Bobby Ingram and Bryan Bassett, keyboardist John Galvin, bassist Andy McKinney, and drummer Mac Crawford.
In 1998 Silent Reign Of Heroes was released. And in 1999 the band traveled coast to coast with Charlie Daniels and the Volunteer Jam.
2000s
In 2000, the album The Kingdom Of XII was released in Europe. The band went on tour to promote this album. It was released in the United States in 2001. Locked and Loaded (2003) and Warriors of the Rainbow Bridge (2005) followed. In January of 2005, Ingram invited Hlubek to rejoin Molly Hatchet and in doing so became the only current member who was a part of the original band.
On Thursday, March 10, 2005, after Brown was hospitalized for four weeks, he died less than an hour after returning to his home in Davie, Florida with his family and friends at his side, at the age of 53 from complications from pneumonia. He had previously left the group due to the suffering from a massive stroke in 1995 while driving to his brother's house. After a long battle with diabetes and the effects of the stroke, Brown was able to take the stage one last time at the Jammin' for DJB benefit concert in 1998 where with the help of his friends he ended the show with "Flirtin' with Disaster."
On Monday, June 19, 2006, founding guitarist Duane Roland died in St. Augustine, Florida at the age of 53. He had been playing with the band Gator Country, consisting of former members of Molly Hatchet, as late as May of 2006. His death was listed as being of "natural causes".
Bruce Crump (July 17, 1957 – March 16, 2015) was the original drummer from 1976 to 1983 (including their 1980 hit song "Flirtin' with Disaster" ) and 1984 to 1991. He also played as a member of Canadian band Streetheart in the early 1980s, and joined several of his former Molly Hatchet bandmates in the band Gator Country in the mid-2000s. At his death, Crump was in the Jacksonville, Florida-based band White Rhino and the newly reformed China Sky.
Bass guitarist Banner Thomas died of complications of pneumonia, at 63, on April 10, 2017.
Dave Hlubek died of a heart attack on September 3, 2017, at the age of 66.
Jimmy Farrar, who was frontman from 1980 to 1982, died of heart failure on October 29, 2018, at 67. Singer Phil McCormack died on April 26, 2019 at 58 (McCormack had been sidelined in early 2019, after suffering from health troubles that affected his voice andwas replaced by singer Jimmy Elkins, who continued on with Hatchet after McCormack's death).
Steve Holland, the last original member of Molly Hatchet, died on August 2, 2020.
Never Say Never
Molly Hatchet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trying to chase that rock 'n' roll dream
Ain't no way I'm gonna throw in the towel
I just keep pushing its just my style
Yes I'm a rockin' I'll keep rollin'
It doesn't matter if its up or down
The band is drivin' music's surviving
[Chorus]
I never say never I've been down before
I never say never just when you count me out
I'll be back for more
Just doesn't matter it keeps getting better
Don't try to tell me its time to come home
Just keep hitting it nothing else to do
Were do you live I'm coming for you
Yes I'm a rockin' I'll keep rollin'
Getting my kick till I get my fill
Ain't nothing to it just gotta do it
Making my music gonna fire at will
[Chorus]
The lyrics in Molly Hatchet's song "Never Say Never" depict the journey of a rockstar who has been on the road for years, chasing their "rock 'n' roll dream". Despite the hardships and setbacks they may have faced, they remain resilient and refuse to give up. The song highlights their unwavering determination to keep pushing forward and never give up on their passion for music.
The lyrics also convey a sense of rebellion and defiance, as the rockstar refuses to conform to societal expectations and pressures to settle down and come home. Instead, they choose to continue pursuing their passion and making music. The chorus reinforces this message of perseverance, with the singer declaring that they will "never say never" and that they will always come back for more, no matter how many times they may be knocked down.
Overall, "Never Say Never" is a powerful anthem for anyone who has faced obstacles and challenges while pursuing their dreams, and a reminder to never give up on oneself no matter how difficult the journey may be.
Line by Line Meaning
Rolling down this highway, for years it seems
The singer has been traveling and chasing his dream of becoming a famous rock star for a long time.
Trying to chase that rock 'n' roll dream
The singer is determined to achieve his dream of becoming a successful rock musician.
Ain't no way I'm gonna throw in the towel
The singer will never give up, no matter how tough things get.
I just keep pushing its just my style
The singer's personality is to keep pushing forward no matter what, and he won't stop until he succeeds.
Yes I'm a rockin' I'll keep rollin'
The singer enjoys being a rock musician and will continue to perform live music.
It doesn't matter if its up or down
The singer's rock 'n' roll career has its ups and downs, but he will keep going no matter what.
The band is drivin' music's surviving
The band is passionate about music, and they believe that music will always survive.
It ain't over till we rock your town
The singer and the band won't stop until they have spread their music across the country and gained many fans.
I never say never I've been down before
The singer has faced setbacks in the past, but he won't let that stop him from pursuing his dream.
I never say never just when you count me out
The singer won't give up, even when others don't believe in him
I'll be back for more
The singer will always return to music no matter what setbacks he encounters.
Just doesn't matter it keeps getting better
The singer has a positive outlook on life, and he believes that no matter what happens, things will continue to improve.
Don't try to tell me its time to come home
The singer is fully committed to pursuing his career in music, and no one can talk him out of it.
Just keep hitting it nothing else to do
The singer has only one goal, to make music and perform, and he will keep hitting the road no matter what.
Were do you live I'm coming for you
The singer and his band will travel anywhere, and they are eager to perform in front of new fans.
Getting my kick till I get my fill
The singer is enjoying his career as a rock 'n' roll musician, and he will continue performing until he's satisfied.
Ain't nothing to it just gotta do it
The singer believes that succeeding in the music industry is simple, he just has to keep doing what he loves, making music, and playing his guitar.
Making my music gonna fire at will
The singer is inspired to keep playing and performing music, and he vows to keep his passion alive forever.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Simon James Young
This 👆 Riff stuck in my head for days until I found it again ❗
🥃
Cide Effex
Turn it up, Simon! :)
SPRO 777
This is a DAMN JAM!!
francois lopez
god bless southern rock !!!
Cide Effex
Amen!