Gin Blossoms: The Tragic Story of the Band & The Death Of Doug Hopkins, Band Behind "Hey Jealousy'
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- Опубліковано 31 тра 2024
- Gin Blossoms: The tragic story of the band and the death of guitarist Doug Hopkins
Here's the Toad The Wet Sprocket Video I Reference
• Toad The Wet Sprocket:...
Here's the Marcy Playground Video I did
• Marcy Playground What...
0:00 - Early Years
2:43 - New Miserable Experience
7:22 - Doug Hopkins Death
9:02- Long lasting success
10:07 - Congratulations, I'm Sorry
13:45 - Breakup.Reunion
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#ginblossom #doughopkins #heyjealousy
I cite my sources and they may differ than other people's accounts, so I don't guarantee the actual accuracy of my videos.
Gin Blossoms were a staple of the 90’s music
scene. The band’s history is intertwined
with luck, patience and great tragedy. Today
let’s explore whatever happened to the Gin
Blossoms
Hailing from tempe, Arizona, the LA Times would state
the following about Gin Blossoms on a 1993
profile about the band.
“Let’s face it, Tempe, Arizona., is notexactly
a thriving rock ‘n’ roll mecca.
It seems more like one of those places that
a budding rock band leaves, then later reminisces
about for its boring but lovable qualities.”
Gin Blossoms were born and raised on R.E.M.,
Tom Petty, Cheap Trick, and the Replacements,
which offered a stark contrast to the other
popular bands of the early 90’s who were
fed a healthy diet of punk rock, metal and groups
like The Pixies. Gin Blossoms married
joyful sounding melodies with young adult
anxieties. Hailing from Tempe Arizona, Gin
Blossoms first formed in 1987 thanks to a
Tower Records store in the city, where frontman
Robin Wilson and bassist Bill Leen both worked.
Initially first lineup consisted of Gin Blossoms had guitarists Jesse Valenzuela as the lead vocalist before Robin WIlson took over. Back in the lae 80's it was pretty common for club owners to hire bands who mostly played covers. TO satisfy club owners The Gin Blossoms would adop the alter
ego Del Montes whose plan it was to play cover
tunes at clubs around the city and earn some
money while they would also be writing their own
original material. Soon enough the sets The
Gin Blossoms were playing around the city of tempe didn’t stra too far
from the Del Montes. THe del montes would most famously play
television show theme songs
including the Jeffersons Movin on up. By 1988 Gin Blossoms developed a name around
town and became one of the hottest acts in
the City. In both 1988 and 1989 The Phoenix
New Times newspaper named the band
The Best of Phoenix. Soon enough other press
outlets outside of Tempe picked up on them
with the College Music Journal referring to
them as and i quote “The Best Unsigned Band
In America in 1989. The same year the group
played a showcase at the south by southwest
festival and soon enough,
they put out their self funded debut record
Dusted the same year. The band also started playing
outside of Tempe heading to Austin and playing
at the south by southwest showcase, while
also playing in clubs in Los Angeles including
Raji’s, Club Lingerie and the Coconut Teazer.
They would eventually attract the attention
of A&M records in 1990,
While the band should’ve been celebrating their success, guitarist
Doug Hopkins was not. Having suffered from
severe depression from a young age he was
against signing with a major label feeling
pressure to deliver and also feeling like
someone else’s property. His drinking would
only escalate once the band signed a smajor
recording contract.. According to Rolling
Stone magazine hopkins would frequently showed up intoxicatedat
gigs, while band practices resulted in verbal
screaming machines. The band first convened
in Los Angeles in 1991 to record their major
label debut but
it was a complete disaster. The group spent
close to $100,000 and had nothing to show
for it and were almost dropped by their label.
Frontman Robin Wilson would tell Rolling Stone
,“We were a fragile mess. We were all just
treading water trying to make the record.
We knew this was our last chance. It was an
intense experience on every level" he'd remember.
During a a separate interview with billboard
magazine he also credited the band’s label
with helping turn things around letting them release an EP titled up and crumbling and touring a
bit revealing “they gave us a chance to
succeed or fail to learn about the studio
and toughen up”. As the band attempted to take
a second stab at their first LP for A&M recordthey
chose a different producer and location. The band would move from LAto memphis and that’s not to say
Here's the Toad The Wet Sprocket Video I Reference
ua-cam.com/video/RZOlcBSC04k/v-deo.html
Here's the Marcy Playground Video I did
ua-cam.com/video/yW5RvTcYZfE/v-deo.html
Awesome vid brother. Keep up good work sid. Be safe and Godspeed Brother.
Smile empty soul
Man...I can't listen to "Hey, Jealousy" without all of a sudden being 19 years old again in the summer of 1993 with my whole life ahead of me...
30 years ago...
I feel the same way. Where the hell did the years go?
I never really liked the Gin Blossoms but Hey Jealousy was on the radio every five minutes in my freshman year of high school.
Me to but late 29's and that song was one of my fav songs!
Music is memory.. music is now
New Miserable Experience is a monster album; almost everything I've heard from that era (b-sides/demos/etc) is gold. And few songs can evoke as strong a sense of time and place for me as Hey Jealousy does for the summer of 93.
It was hard to escape it. That song was everywhere and I mean everywhere.
Hey Jealousy was the first song I memorized as a kid.
No doubt, brother.
Found out about you still hurts. Especially knowing now what Doug was going through.
I hope NME will one day be remembered as one of the greatest rock albums (at least) of it's time. It really is lightning in a bottle. Just great music with a sound all its own.
Found out about you... 2023 my 8yr old son loves it.
Rip Doug Hopkins, his songwriting was on-point.
I’m a huge Doug Hopkins fan. Some of the chimeras tunes like the script, Johnny and pony boy are amazing. Doug’s song have a huge impact on my life. I could only image the amazing songs that we will never hear since he is gone. Truly amazing song writer.
Gin Blossoms meant everything to me in the 90s. So many songs were representative of my life back then.
Wish Doug had been able to not become another rock n roll tragedy.
Heartbreaking about Doug. I am sure mistakes were made on both sides of the fence.
Gin Blossoms and Toad the Wet Sprocket. my favs of that Era. 2 great bands
I was 5 years old when New Miserable Experience came out. I remember my brother buying it and playing it every morning before school and every day. Looking back it influenced me and gave me a deep love for good music and good songwriting. A couple years later he bought Hootie and the Blowfish Cracked Rear View and that album did the same for me.
This was a truly dynamite era for rock music and songwriting in general.
Last week at my guitar class we played Hey Jealously & I didn’t know much about this band until I saw this
Cool! I’m doing guitar class now too
"found out about you" probably as genius as it gets for pop rock
Agreed
Great song.
That song is a turd
Great song, still playable. I suspect it will be until I'm dead.
That’s literally my favorite song of all time. Never gets old.
Still a great band that I listen to regularly. Rest peacefully, Doug.
I first met Doug Hopkins in 1980. He was playing at The Knights of Columbus hall on Scottsdale Rd just north of Tempe. Now Fast forward 13 years, after his firing, Doug would hold court at Long Wong's in Tempe at a table on the right side of the stage. And inevitably to his memorial service-- several months later.
I went to grade school and high school with Jesse Valenzuela. He is a great guy and a good guitar player. I was really happy for him when I realized he was with the Gin Blossoms. I love their music. I was saddened by the death of doug. I have worked in behavioral health for 23 years. I wish there was a way to convince more young people to get the help that they need. It is very tragic that young people have to die from drugs or alcohol.
Your “great guy” screwed over Doug Hopkins in a relentless pursuit of individual success.
If that’s the measure of a great guy, your morals are tainted.
I know for a while Jesse hosted a radio show. I wonder if he still does anything in the public eye outside of Gin Blossoms.
Dude read the lyrics of “I found out about you.” Insane how perfect and to the point they are. Exactly what you want to say when someone breaks your heart. Perfect. On the level I’d say of John mayers lyrics on his sob rock album.
90s was the peak and end of rock.
Their album New Miserable Experience is excellent. There are great tracks beyond the radio airplay songs like "29" "Mrs. Rita" and "Lost Horizons".
I’ll drink enough of anything, to make myself look new again,, I’m drunk drunk drunk in the gardens and the graves…
I hung out with Bill Leen and his wife every Tuesday for 2 years. He's the nicest guy ever. Funny how I'd heard all this from them first hands. Cool video.
Who?
very cool insider story!
thats awesome,Cut my teeth on playing his bass lines 19 years ago.
@@Yourdoomawaitsyou The bassist in the Gin Blossoms.
@@Alexs.2599 clearly, she didn't watch the video... or pay any attention.
I was born in the 90s and the gin blossoms were my first favorite band, I still listen to them.
So Many mixed feelings about this band , it’s music, and how the Doug Hopkins situation played out. It’s always bittersweet when I hear New Miserable Experience.
Agreed. I love that album and Doug Hopkins presence/genius is the reason. I have mixed feelings when someone asks me if I like the Gin Blossoms.
Gin blossoms died w hopkins
@Robert Anthony ok
@Robert Anthony ok
@@devilsson6660give me a break
Saw them live a few years ago and Robin’s voice still sounds clear and strong.
@@Dime_time333 curious - did that feel good? did it make you grow two feet taller and turn invisible and bulletproof to belittle someone's story?
i'm glad robin sounds great. i'll have to check them out next time they tour here. thanks for the info, @stregadisalem
Nice, I'm glad they're still around.
Gin Blossoms pretty much tour every year & do well. Fun band to go see.
Great vocalist.
i first picked up NME freshman year of college 06, long after its prime. i didn't know what to expect. lo and behold, every song was frickin epic. \m/
I Love Jealousy - even today. It is one of the best pop songs. I wish they hired Doug to be the band's songwriter. He was Super Talented.
Found Out About You is my favorite song of theirs. The Gin Blossoms was one of those alternative rock music bands that was part of the scene in the 1990s that showed a much more mature and grown up side to American pop rock music. It wasn't popular music for angsty teenagers. It was popular radio worthy pop rock for adults who understood life.
Rest In Peace Doug. 🥀🌹✝️
Like the bands Live and Toad the Wet Sprocket.
It's my favourite song too.
Love Found About You❤. It's on my Spotify Favorites playlist💙🥰❤
Robin was writing a monthly article for the Official Playstation Magazine sometime in the 00's or early 10's. Always a good read.
When we say our music was better, this is what we’re talking about.
I had lots of tapes in the 80s. My first CD was the Gin Blossms. I loved that cd.
I played in a local original band in Dallas and we got to open for the Gin Blossoms. We hung out backstage but I was too shy to talk to any of them. But it was a fun experience in front of a large crowd!
New Miserable Experience is my favorite album from the 90's. They were a breath of fresh desert air when compared to grunge and the Seattle scene: kinda like R.E.M and the Byrds with their own original spin. I have mixed feelings about their legacy- New Miserable Experience is an epic album because of Doug's presence/genius. His bandmates sold a drowning man down river and then cashed their checks.
How melodramatic.
Totally true. You said it. No melodrama involved, just facts.
The 3rd album title could also be seen from Dougs point of view..”congratulations” ( band’s success) “I’m sorry “ ( his suicide). The dude had the hit factor built in him- new miserable experience- is a great record, Rip Doug.
Lost Horizons will always be my favourite… so relatable
When I was in college, I had a vocal class with Scott Johnson. One of the coolest, nicest guys ever. He helped me understand music and suggested songs for me to sing. I owe it to him in helping me literally find my voice
One of nicest guys I've met
@@trchwdspnfan80 he would hang out with me after class and show me some stuff, joke with me a lot, and have lots of tips in writing. Super cool guy and if I ever run into him again, I need to thank him
@@jaimeecherivel2927 that's great to hear! I have a lot of respect for him...
Scott played with fellow Tempe alum Roger Clyne (from The Refreshments) on Roger’s first Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers release in 2000 before he went back with GB.. Saw them on tour in 2003 (I think) with a 90s band tour that featured Soul Asylum, Sponge & 7 Mary 3 at a small arena in Dallas..
He was my younger sibling’s coworker at Levi’s up until they left a few months ago, and from what they’ve said he seems to be a pretty stand up guy. Anytime Scotty and his partner had a gig after work he’d invite my sibling and their roommates which was v sweet.
Loved the Gin Blossoms growing up, one of my favorite bands back in the 90s. Still love their first two albums.
Why does critics always assume that a good Band has to come out of some Mega Metropolis or music place to have some sort of value to their craft! Gin Blossoms were amazing listening to on my drives to Washington DC from NC in the 90s, still listening to them.
I'm a HUGE Gin Blossoms fan!! Have been for years!! I definitely feel for Doug, as i've long suffered from depression, myself, & they definitely did him wrong. Speaking of Everclear, Lit, & Sugar Ray, i'd love to see some videos on them, in the near future.
Brandonpage7087 how are you doing with your battle against depression?
If I can help, let me know. You have value far beyond what you can see in yourself.
Living in Mesa, AZ in the mid thru late 80's it was a great testing ground for great local bands like Gin Blossoms, Meat Puppets and others. We got a lot of upcoming bands from L.A. and San Diego, not to mention had a alternative AM station that introduced artists not played on main waves.
i'm sure i wasn't the only one, but i for sure suggested you do this story. i worked at the phoenix new times in 90, we saw it going down like we were watching a slow-motion train wreck.
🎵Anywhere you go, I'll follow you down.🎵 I think this song had come out when I was 14 or 15 and I heard it everywhere.
This story is an amazing testament to the power of timing and presentation. Pretty crazy.
One of the saddest stories about such a talented, loved singer. It breaks my heart.................
Gin Blossoms have some good tunes. Always liked that band.
Thank You. I was introduced to Gin Blossoms in the military in the early 1990s. I was driving back to base in preparation to go "somehwere to do somethings". The NME cassette was playing in the van as our team was heading to the air base to load and go. It has always been interesting to me as I hear songs from the 1980s & 1990s and I go to "what & where" during "those times". The wars in Central & South America were always our focus and songs in the USA had a real emotional impact. Thank You & Peace & Health always. Be Well and Safe.
Hey Jealousy still stands out for me
Now this is truly a tragic story. NME is a 90's must have.
I'm from Wales UK and I bought the album in 1993 and it became my soundtrack of my year and I had so much love for the gin blossoms and still do and I still have the CD and I listen to my favourite tracks on my phone all the time, thanks guys!
I recently went on a 90s deep dive and relistened to a lot of 90s alternative and pop hits. I never realized Gin Blossoms had SO many hits. But when you hear them one by one you go "oh yeahhh..."
I think you guys got the congratulations I'm sorry singles mixed up. Follow you down was a massive hit. Never mentioned.
I don't think you can overstate just how good this band was. They get lumped in with a lot of the other one hit wonders of their era but they don't at all fit in. New Miserable Experience was the soundtrack to my teenage years. I felt every word, every guitar lick. Those lyrics are deep, meaningful and sad. They oozed that lonely southwestern sound. Every song was a bar of rusted gold. Every word of it would break my heart and heal it all over again. I hope one day the world will understand what a gem this little Tempe, Arizona band truly was.
Thanks for clearing up years of rumors around Doug's involvement. Thanks. Well done.
GB are in my top 10 fav bands ever.
Until I Fall Away is my favorite song by them. The newer stuff by them isn't bad. They are better than 1 (2) hit wonder, every damn song on NME could've been a radio single.
I knew John Hampton and his children were childhood friends of mine, and I remember many of the things that happened with the Gin Blossoms as they were happening. I never actually met them, but I felt like I knew them. I wanted to see them succeed so badly, and it was great when they did, but heartbreaking at the same time.
The way Doug was treated is shameful. Gin Blossoms’ core sound was built with him as the writer of the highest charting singles Hey Jealousy and Found Out About You. But when Doug needed them, they casted him away and effectively stole his royalties. Those guys are still making money off Doug Hopkins’ genius.
sounds like Doug flushed himself out of the band. But I wasn’t there so I don’t know what really happened. And nor do you.
@@patrickreichert1442 isn't this kind of a platform where people will post opinions? If we were all restricted to commenting on what we were actually present to see then this section would be pretty empty.
Sounds to me they tried, and tried hard. Some people can’t be helped unfortunately.
Yeah these guys couldn’t write anything good after they kicked him out, they just made excuses why they sucked after. RIP Doug, you a legend
@@larrydavid6852 i said my opinion and you said yours. I disagree with someone elses opinion and so I stated thus
THIS ONE MADE ME CRY HARD, rip Doug
Well done story. Great band I’ve seen many times over the years. Doug’s songwriting contribution was huge as evidenced by how flawless that first album was and how they would never be that prolific again. Congratulations I’m sorry has some good songs and no out and out clinkers but is definitely a big step down. They rebounded with Major Lodge sounding stronger and returning to form, then really phoned it in on the next album.
Great songs the 90s where the last great decade of music man i miss that era 👍
I remember getting
New Miserable Experience through the Colombia house 12 CDs for a penny.
Pieces of the Night. RIP Doug and Lawrence.
Gin Blossoms definitely wasn't my thing in high school, when they were starting to gain traction, but now I tolerate and sometimes even enjoy them when I hear their songs today, if only because it makes me reminisce.
I love them, just sounds like the 90s. Great vid man, I know it takes tedious work and research and energy. Very well put together
R. I.P. Doug Hopkins
We hear so many stories about crappy record labels, so credit that they didn’t give up on New Miserable Experience because they new it was fantastic.
They actually performed at a local church carnival in my old town in Illinois circa 2012, I couldn't believe it...
That's humbling for sure. I guess a lot of bands sorta end up that way, as shocking as it seems.
I still listen to that album on the regular
Wow! We All Loved these guys. Always a back story. In My own limited opinion,,, most of the most creative energy comes from some kind of disfunction within the personalities of the members! But that's usually what makes the magic happen. . some implode before others... It's just one more aspect of true appreciation for the music!!!
The Gin Blossoms are a great band that makes songs you want to listen to.
I just discovered gin blossoms a couple weeks ago and then this video comes out. What an age we live in
At 43 I bought this on vinyl recently. Sad story but banger of an album, not one bad song on it.
I love toad and gin blossoms so much
Every time I hear the Gin Blossoms on the radio, the members of the band run into the room and listen to it. When the song is over, the band members run out into the street and disappear.
Great video! Thanks for doing these stories about all of my favorite bands of the 90s!
Thank you for making this video! I learned a lot about this band. Just discovered them after hearing the song broke my heart. Even more heartbreaking hearing their background.
Missing good people in az. Good communication. Lonely in Seattle. Love you
I saw them perform live at a local fair quite a few years back. I felt really bad for them, but they did perform quite well.
It’s sad, isn’t it? I saw the founding singer of Foreigner at my local fair, in a town of less than 10,000.
Great band
This is the ONLY band I fell in love with at an older time in my Life. Seen them in Tempe... Seldom will a band capture a large place in the hearts of the world like the Gin Blossoms. Some of the very best Times & times again 25 plus years, because of them. After the band finished playing at their home town, we seen Robin Wilson walking around having a good time and I approached him to Tell Robin how much his music meant to US... My wife had a gin Blossoms Tight Shirt on, her chest popping she is still hot. but complexly past me twisted her around & signed her whole back of her shirt.......... I would have liked to shake his hand....... ??..
I've still got the CD. 🤘
I always felt like Doug was trying so hard to be the rockstar. I’m sure he also felt all the pressure being the chief songwriter. It was a kind of implosion
Just saw them with the Barenaked ladies last night. Great show🤘🏻
I just love this channel. I’m happy to watch videos that were released a few years ago that I’ve already seen.
Thanks for the compliment. I’ll probably update this with way more info
my man@@rnrtruestories
Well done!
Great video. Very well-done and researched. I had the 2nd & 3rd albums on CD. *New Miserable Experience* - which obviously the experience of recording it was just that - was a great album with the 2 best songs the Gin Blossoms ever did. *Congratulations I'm Sorry* was just okay; not as hard or jumpy as the previous album. It was actually a pretty maudlin affair.
You're not kidding about "Hey Jealousy." I've always loved the song, and just like with Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit," I've never gotten sick of it even once. Overall, I would rank "Hey Jealousy" in the Top 20 90s songs, with "Found Out About You" in the Top 30. It's good to know that they have been back for a long time now and are still playing shows.
Excellent band
It seems the common consensus here is “I’m not really a fan but whatever, they did that dude wrong” lol
Right! They suck!🤘👹🤘
I been rocking Hey jealousy since 1993...🤘🏻🤘🏻Hopkins🤘🏻🤘🏻
Great video man!!! I really enjoyed that one! 🤘🏻🇦🇺🤘🏻
They did that dude wrong. There would be no gin blossoms without him
You don't abandon a brother... Ever. If he couldn't record or even tour you carry on without him while trying to help him and keeping a spot for him when he's ready. You don't fire him and then screw him financially. The band admits they would have done things differently in retrospect.... Too late.
They were a young, struggling band when they did that stuff. In the moment they saw a guy showing up drunk everyday when they were losing money. Even if they let him keep his spot in the band and tried to help him, there wasn't much that they could really do. See Def Leppard and Steve Clark for an example.
@@douglasjarnagan3835 unfortunately, these things usually end bad. Def Leppard did not fire Steve, didn't threaten to withhold money unless he signed his rights away and tried to help him any way they could including working with his family, professionals, etc. The Blossoms released a statement saying they wished it was handled differently. You're right, they were young and probably fed up with the situation and reacted inappropriately.
@Google Police ok
@@scotv5099 I agree. We don't know what Doug was like to work with and to be around during that period. From my own personal experience, somewhat similar to Doug in suffering long periods of depression/suicidal behavior, but without any alcohol or drug issues, I believe it can be very hard for people who are around them. It's just very tiring, emotionally wearing on those who have to deal with it. People get fed up. And it's especially hard for those who are working together. If it had been a company that Doug was working at, he'd simply have been fired - just like others who've shown up late, drunk, and unable to work or with serious personal issues, at any normal workplace.
Of course, I do have empathy and sympathy for Doug. It's terrible how it all turned out. I wonder where his family was, or his other close friends. Why weren't they helping him? But I'm guessing he was very difficult, exasperating, temperamental, and not open to seeing the other side of things, like I was. Maybe a lot of bridges got burnt.
The band's future was in question, and Doug was a huge liability. I can see why they fired Doug, and really how could they succeed with a band member who was regularly showing up drunk and unable to perform - how could they possibly record, tour or do promos? It was the only sensible thing to do.
However, I don't understand why the other members agreed to this decision to withhold payment to Doug until he signed away his share of royalties. That part I do not understand. Doug had made a considerable contribution to their album, and even though the album hadn't become a success yet when this situation happened, didn't they think it unfair to make him sign over royalties? Again, we don't know what exactly was going on between all of them, and obviously the band members came to regret their actions afterwards. I'm sure they just didn't realize where it was all headed.
I'm shocked to hear that the band would hold payment ransom until a guy struggling with his own demons broke and felt forced to sign away his royalties. I wouldn't be able to look at that gold record either. With that being said.. I was a fan. I liked everything they put out and hope they make a come back. RIP Doug 💔
Why should they enable his addiction? If he had cleaned up everything would be fine. I'm sure they tried everything to get him clean, at some point you have to stop giving a guy money just to kill himself
Yeah......wow.
Im a sensitive soul so I'd never be able to do something so horrible to someone, but if I did, and they died - Id think about it every day. It'd be what I thought about before I went to sleep every night. I wouldn't be able to sleep. It would weigh heavily on my conscience, and soul. 😔
I pray those guys think about their evil deed, and I pray they've changed their ways, and treat ppl better now.
@@michaelkeller5927 @Michael Keller paying someone what they earned, worked their a×s off for, and is what they are owed isnt enabling their addiction. Its giving them their godd×mn paycheck. Smh 🤦🏼♀️
That's like any manager around the world pocketing a paycheck because the employee smokes some weed they decide to not let them have it because they feel they shouldn't be smoking weed. Its not up to the f'n manager whether or not the employee should get it or not!!
The employee put in those 40 hours - You give them their f'n paycheck!!
In this case, the guy worked his butt off writing lyrics, composing music, putting songs together enough so that his name was on it and he EARNED and was entitled to royalties!!
Royalties is earned income so it was his f'n paycheck!
Enabling would've been his bandmates loaning him money when they knew that money would go to dr×gs.
What they ultimately became were f'n thieves by scr×wing him out of his d×mn paycheck and money earned from work he had put into the music and band!!
Im sure they eased the guilty feelings they had by telling themselves and others it was done to help him, but thats straight up BS.
You can't just steal someone's paycheck because you know they do dr×gs. Thats so f'd up. Smh.
Nobody should be able to steal a persons paycheck and dictate what happens to it when that person put in the time, work, and f'n earned it.
I was a teenager when they were at their peak of fame. I didnt realize how f'n sh×tty the band mates were to him. 😔
@@thinlineofsanity1035 💯 what you said, they robbed him, pushed someone already in a fragile state over the edge because they were greedy.
@@thinlineofsanity1035 that's the point I was trying to make. I never said hire him back. But ripping him off for what he's already done..like writing them a hit song..is stealing as far as I'm concerned. I've never clocked in and clocked out then had my manager tell me I'm not getting my paycheck until I sign over all my Christmas bonas' and future raises. Drunk or not. Even then they'd have to pay me everything already owned from clocking in to clocking out. Then they can fire me. As a matter of fact.. Today's employers would give me the opportunity to enter rehabilitation. But that's beside the point. Pay the dude what you owe him and give him his fair share of everything he's earned drunk or sober.
They're not all tragic. I just saw them play in New Buffalo, Michigan, and Robin told the crowd how everything was working out between their management, lawyers, and being able to do this for a living economically. He thanked the crowd for it.
I bought the original New Miserable Experience CD with the Bee cover. So when I saw it with the car cover, I bought that one also. The album is that good.
Loved their debut album.
5:39 - interviewed by Sheldon's nemesis from the Big Bang Theory?!
Excellent video man, excellent work. I mean I was not a fan at all but I learned something here, very interesting.
thanks!
Great video!
You should do one on the refreshments
Love this band so much. I like to cover Hey Jealousy on the guitar
Feel like this and your L7 videos are re-releases of videos you already did? I’m having a crazy dejavu moment here.
Yep this story was 6 months ago, just doubled the time with this one, also why I didn't watch the L7 vid.
No deja vu involved--he definitely previously uploaded this one! Dunno why he reuploaded it (even if it's longer).
Great people thinking kindness in az. I wish seattle would think your way
Doug was an incredible songwriter. I can't imagine what kind of masterpieces he would have written had he not died.
Yeah after new miserable experience they never could replicate that success
This story gave me chills. I never knew the story about Doug Hopkins. I could always tell there were hints of an alcohol problem in Gin Blossoms lyrics. I loved New Miserable Experience in my teens. By the end of college in 2000, I had developed my own drinking problem. By 2009, I was jobless, broke, divorced, and weighed 250 lbs with numerous health issues. I finally began admitting (reluctantly) that I had an issue. But that was just the beginning of another long decade of rehabs, psychiatric hospitals, and jail sentences. I nearly died several times and never in my life felt such deep, dark depression and hopelessness. By the grace of God I was given the will to live, and made a very slow crawl out of the pit I was in, with a number of relapses that got worse each time, though they grew further and farther between as I became more determined to escape the hell I was in, and embrace the sanity of sobriety. I haven't had a major bender in 2 years, and now live a modest, but content life. I'm in the best health of my life (miraculously), and regularly go to the gym and attend church. (2 things I NEVER thought I'd do 20 years ago). I'm 170 lbs of pure muscle, working a steady job for the first time in a decade, and I am even recording my own music in a home studio, playing guitar, bass and keyboards.
I rediscovered the Gin Blossoms on Spotify recently, and always feel an emotional pang hearing some of those songs again, being somewhat reminded of those booze soaked days of misery by some of their lyrics. Until I saw this video, I always assumed their lead singer Robin Wilson was the one with the alcohol issues. I seemed to remember hearing whispers about a drinking problem among the band, but never knew the details. The moment in this video that described Doug Hopkins's suicide sent my mind reeling into a dark place for a moment. I had to pause the video to wrap my head around it. So tragic. I can vividly imagine the horrible state of mind he must have been in before making that fateful decision, and realizing that could have been me! When you are in the grip of addiction, with no hope, the darkness is absolutely indescribable.
I just want to tell anyone out there struggling like this that there IS always hope. It can be beaten, no matter how hopeless and impossible it might seem. You have to want it bad enough, and pray hard! This story really made me reflect back, and reminded me to count my blessings today. This story is going to stick with me the rest of my life. I will never hear Gin Blossoms the same way again.