Dave Hlubek
Encyclopedia
David Lawrence Hlubek [pronounced "LOO'-bek"] was born on August 28, 1951. He is the lead guitarist and founding member of the Southern Rock
band Molly Hatchet
.
. At the age of 5 or 6, Dave and his family moved to the Naval base in Oahu, Hawaii where he attended Waikiki Elementary School. From there, Hlubek's father was transferred and the family moved to Sunnyvale, California
, then to Mountain View
, and finally settling in San Jose
. There he attended the same Junior High School as Wayne Newton
. It was the South Bay that Dave called home during the next few years, before moving back to Jacksonville, Florida around 1965. There he attended and graduated from Forrest High School along with other legends of Southern Rock
.
Hlubek, along with Steve Holland, founded the band Molly Hatchet
. Vocalist Danny Joe Brown
joined in 1974, Duane Roland
, Banner Thomas, and Bruce Crump
in 1975. Hlubek was the original vocalist when they started, as well as becoming the band's most prolific songwriter - writing or co-writing the majority of the group's songs, including their most famous, "Flirtin' with Disaster
". When at last they got their recording contract with Epic Records
they got some help and advice from Lynyrd Skynyrd
vocalist Ronnie Van Zant
, who was originally supposed to produce their first album, but was unable to, because of his demise in the tragic plane crash in '77. While most people tagged Molly Hatchet as "Southern Rock," Hlubek admits it was only because of the location. He considered Molly Hatchet, along with Blackfoot
, to actually be metal bands from the South. In fact, he has also said that, although hard to talk about, it was the demise of Lynyrd Skynyrd - who were on top of the world at that time - that opened the door for Molly Hatchet.
In 1986, Hlubek left the band, to be replaced by lead guitarist Bobby Ingram. After some years of self introspection and dedication to his own music Hlubek was back on top and focused. Along with Jackson Spires, former drummer of Blackfoot and Jay Johnson they created the supergroup
Southern Rock Allstars
. After many years of performing and recording with SRA Hlubek resigned and rejoined Molly Hatchet led by Bobby Ingram in January 2005. He is to this date a solid rotund performing and recording guitarist in Molly Hatchet on their world tours and the only original member of the band.
Dave was one of the founding members of the band Skinny Molly together with former Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Mike Estes.
In addition to writing the early hits Molly Hatchet is known for, such as "Flirtin' with Disaster", "Gator Country", Whiskey Man" and "Fall of the Peacemakers" among others, Dave Hlubek is credited with major motion picture sound tracks, including the feature films such as Monster starring Charlize Theron
, The Dukes of Hazzard
starring Jessica Simpson
and Burt Reynolds
, Suspect Zero
and Delta Farce
. His music also appears on television commercials, on Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Wrestling TV show, and on the soundtracks of the video games Rock Band, NASCAR 98
and others. As recent as January 2011, Flirtin With Disaster was the opening music on the pilot Super Natural.
Dave Hlubek has seven gold and platinum selling album awards with sales totaling approximately 24 million in album sales.
A little known fact is that Dean Markley Magnum guitar strings featured Dave Hlubek's face, in cameo, on the packaging for years and can still be found to this day.
Recently he has teamed with, and is sponsored by Dean Guitars which he highly endorses.
On July 3, 2010, Hlubek was honored by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
. He was invited to showcase one of his guitars in the exhibits. During the ceremony, the original Molly Hatchet music could be heard throughout the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
He currently lives in Port St. Lucie, Florida and is engaged to Christy Vaughan, his lost love from the 1980s.
Southern rock
Southern rock is a subgenre of rock music, and genre of Americana. It developed in the Southern United States from rock and roll, country music, and blues, and is focused generally on electric guitar and vocals...
band Molly Hatchet
Molly Hatchet
Molly Hatchet is an American southern rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1975. They are widely known for their hit song "Flirtin' with Disaster" from the album of the same title. The band, founded by Dave Hlubek and Steve Holland, took its name from a prostitute who allegedly mutilated...
.
Biography
Dave was born a "Southern Boy" in Jacksonville, FloridaJacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
. At the age of 5 or 6, Dave and his family moved to the Naval base in Oahu, Hawaii where he attended Waikiki Elementary School. From there, Hlubek's father was transferred and the family moved to Sunnyvale, California
Sunnyvale, California
Sunnyvale is a city in Santa Clara County, California, United States. It is one of the major cities that make up the Silicon Valley located in the San Francisco Bay Area...
, then to Mountain View
Mountain View, California
-Downtown:Mountain View has a pedestrian-friendly downtown centered on Castro Street. The downtown area consists of the seven blocks of Castro Street from the Downtown Mountain View Station transit center in the north to the intersection with El Camino Real in the south...
, and finally settling in San Jose
San Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
. There he attended the same Junior High School as Wayne Newton
Wayne Newton
Wayne Newton is an American singer and entertainer based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He performed over 30,000 solo shows in Las Vegas over a period of over 40 years, earning him the nicknames The Midnight Idol, Mr. Las Vegas and Mr. Entertainment...
. It was the South Bay that Dave called home during the next few years, before moving back to Jacksonville, Florida around 1965. There he attended and graduated from Forrest High School along with other legends of Southern Rock
Southern rock
Southern rock is a subgenre of rock music, and genre of Americana. It developed in the Southern United States from rock and roll, country music, and blues, and is focused generally on electric guitar and vocals...
.
Hlubek, along with Steve Holland, founded the band Molly Hatchet
Molly Hatchet
Molly Hatchet is an American southern rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1975. They are widely known for their hit song "Flirtin' with Disaster" from the album of the same title. The band, founded by Dave Hlubek and Steve Holland, took its name from a prostitute who allegedly mutilated...
. Vocalist Danny Joe Brown
Danny Joe Brown
Danny Joe Brown, was a member of the Southern rock group Molly Hatchet, and singer and co-writer of the band's biggest hits from the late 1970s....
joined in 1974, Duane Roland
Duane Roland
Duane Roland was an American guitarist for the rock band Molly Hatchet. He was a member of the band from its founding in in the mid 1970s until his departure in 1990. During that time he recorded seven albums with the band. He is credited with co-writing some of the band's biggest hits, including...
, Banner Thomas, and Bruce Crump
Bruce Crump
Bruce Crump was the longtime drummer with the rock band Molly Hatchet. He left in 1982 and rejoined in 1984, and left again sometime around 1990. He also played as a member of Canadian band Streetheart in the early 80's, and appeared on their Live After Dark recording...
in 1975. Hlubek was the original vocalist when they started, as well as becoming the band's most prolific songwriter - writing or co-writing the majority of the group's songs, including their most famous, "Flirtin' with Disaster
Flirtin' with Disaster
Flirtin' with Disaster is the second studio album by American southern rock band Molly Hatchet, released in 1979 . In 2001, Sony Music re-issued the album under their subsidiary label Epic/Legacy with the production of Jeff Magid and four bonus tracks.The cover is a painting by Frank Frazetta...
". When at last they got their recording contract with Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
they got some help and advice from Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd is an American rock band prominent in spreading Southern Rock during the 1970s.Originally formed as the "Noble Five" in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964, the band rose to worldwide recognition on the basis of its driving live performances and signature tune, Freebird...
vocalist Ronnie Van Zant
Ronnie Van Zant
Ronald Wayne "Ronnie" Van Zant was an American lead vocalist, primary lyricist, and a founding member of the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd...
, who was originally supposed to produce their first album, but was unable to, because of his demise in the tragic plane crash in '77. While most people tagged Molly Hatchet as "Southern Rock," Hlubek admits it was only because of the location. He considered Molly Hatchet, along with Blackfoot
Blackfoot (band)
Blackfoot is a Southern rock musical ensemble from Jacksonville, Florida organized during 1970. Though they are primarily a Southern rock band, they were known also as a hard rock act....
, to actually be metal bands from the South. In fact, he has also said that, although hard to talk about, it was the demise of Lynyrd Skynyrd - who were on top of the world at that time - that opened the door for Molly Hatchet.
In 1986, Hlubek left the band, to be replaced by lead guitarist Bobby Ingram. After some years of self introspection and dedication to his own music Hlubek was back on top and focused. Along with Jackson Spires, former drummer of Blackfoot and Jay Johnson they created the supergroup
Supergroup (music)
In the late 1960s, the term supergroup was coined to describe "a rock music group whose performers are already famous from having performed individually or in other groups"....
Southern Rock Allstars
Southern Rock Allstars
The Southern Rock Allstars are a band that got its name from the history/lineage of its former members all of whom were connected with Southern rock...
. After many years of performing and recording with SRA Hlubek resigned and rejoined Molly Hatchet led by Bobby Ingram in January 2005. He is to this date a solid rotund performing and recording guitarist in Molly Hatchet on their world tours and the only original member of the band.
Dave was one of the founding members of the band Skinny Molly together with former Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Mike Estes.
In addition to writing the early hits Molly Hatchet is known for, such as "Flirtin' with Disaster", "Gator Country", Whiskey Man" and "Fall of the Peacemakers" among others, Dave Hlubek is credited with major motion picture sound tracks, including the feature films such as Monster starring Charlize Theron
Charlize Theron
Charlize Theron is a South African actress, film producer and former fashion model.She rose to fame in the late 1990s following her roles in 2 Days in the Valley, Mighty Joe Young, The Devil's Advocate and The Cider House Rules...
, The Dukes of Hazzard
The Dukes of Hazzard (film)
The Dukes of Hazzard is a 2005 comedy film based on the American television series of the same name. The film was directed by Jay Chandrasekhar and released on August 5, 2005 by Warner Bros. Pictures...
starring Jessica Simpson
Jessica Simpson
Jessica Ann Simpson is an American recording artist, actress, television personality, and fashion designer whose rise to fame began in 1999. Since that time, Simpson has achieved many recording milestones, starred in several television shows, movies, and commercials, launched a line of hair and...
and Burt Reynolds
Burt Reynolds
Burton Leon "Burt" Reynolds, Jr. is an American actor. Some of his memorable roles include Bo 'Bandit' Darville in Smokey and the Bandit, Lewis Medlock in Deliverance, Bobby "Gator" McCluskey in White Lightning and sequel Gator, Paul Crewe and Coach Nate Scarborough in The Longest Yard and its...
, Suspect Zero
Suspect Zero
Suspect Zero is a 2004 thriller film directed by E. Elias Merhige. It opened to decidedly mixed reviews, and failed to earn back half of its estimated $27 million production costs at the box office.-Plot:...
and Delta Farce
Delta Farce
Delta Farce is a 2007 comedy released by Lions Gate Entertainment on May 11, 2007. It is directed by C. B. Harding and stars Bill Engvall, Larry the Cable Guy, DJ Qualls and Danny Trejo...
. His music also appears on television commercials, on Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Wrestling TV show, and on the soundtracks of the video games Rock Band, NASCAR 98
NASCAR 98
NASCAR 98 is a racing simulator video game published and developed by EA Sports and released on October 31, 1997 for the Sega Saturn, and on November 17, 1997 for the PlayStation...
and others. As recent as January 2011, Flirtin With Disaster was the opening music on the pilot Super Natural.
Dave Hlubek has seven gold and platinum selling album awards with sales totaling approximately 24 million in album sales.
A little known fact is that Dean Markley Magnum guitar strings featured Dave Hlubek's face, in cameo, on the packaging for years and can still be found to this day.
Recently he has teamed with, and is sponsored by Dean Guitars which he highly endorses.
On July 3, 2010, Hlubek was honored by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum located on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is dedicated to archiving the history of some of the best-known and most influential artists, producers, engineers and others who have, in some major way,...
. He was invited to showcase one of his guitars in the exhibits. During the ceremony, the original Molly Hatchet music could be heard throughout the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
He currently lives in Port St. Lucie, Florida and is engaged to Christy Vaughan, his lost love from the 1980s.