Doug Hopkins
| Doug Hopkins | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Douglas Owen Hopkins |
| Born |
April 11, 1961 Seattle, Washington |
| Died | December 5, 1993 (aged 32) Tempe, Arizona |
| Genres | Pop rock, alternative rock |
| Instruments | Guitar, bass guitar |
| Years active | 1981–93 |
| Associated acts | Gin Blossoms, The Chimeras |
Douglas Owen "Doug" Hopkins (April 11, 1961 – December 5, 1993) was an American musician and songwriter. He co-founded the Gin Blossoms, a popular modern rock band of the early 1990s, with Richard Taylor. He was the band's lead guitarist and a principal songwriter.
Hopkins' writing credits included the hits "Hey Jealousy", "Found Out About You", "Hold Me Down," and "Lost Horizons". His penchant for somber lyrics, matched with catchy guitar hooks and notable melodies, underscored his memorable style. He committed suicide, shooting himself while in the early stages of mental health treatment for alcoholism, shortly after receiving a gold disc for "Hey Jealousy".
Hopkins was born in Seattle, Washington, and raised in Tempe, Arizona. He graduated from Tempe's in 1979, and two years later, while attending Arizona State University, he formed his first rock band with Bill Leen. Hopkins was the guitarist and Leen the bassist, although neither knew how to play the instruments. He graduated from Arizona State in 1985 with a degree in sociology. By 1987, the two played well enough to start the Gin Blossoms, and in 1988, Jesse Valenzuela (Hopkins' skateboarding friend) and Phillip Rhodes signed on as the band's second guitarist and drummer, respectively.
Hopkins had suffered from chronic depression since childhood and had been battling alcoholism for several years. However, in 1990, the Gin Blossoms were one of the hottest local bands in Tempe and the surrounding areas, and they signed a contract with A&M Records. He was resistant to signing to a major label, feeling like its property, and reacted with stubbornness and more drinking. When the band recorded its debut album New Miserable Experience in February 1992, it was reported that Hopkins was unable to stand during his recording sessions. Faced with the prospect of firing Hopkins or being dropped by A&M, the band terminated Hopkins. Doused in aftershave and mouthwash to cover the effects of his days-long drinking binge, he was flown back to Arizona. He was replaced by Scott Johnson. The band then withheld $15,000 owed to Hopkins until he agreed to sign over half of his publishing royalties. Hopkins was also required to relinquish his mechanical royalties to Johnson, his replacement. Hopkins reluctantly agreed to these demands because of his dire financial situation. While New Miserable Experience did not make a strong debut, it went on to become a multi-platinum album.
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