Dick Dodd , legendary Lead Singer and Drummer for The Standells , has been diagnosed with Stage Four Cancer. Available reports were somewhat conflicting.
He is reported as having Spinal , Liver, Spleen and Esophogeal Cancer , though a spokesman retracted the statement about the latter. He was also reported to have two tumors to the brain , though treatment on that will be put on hold , as other factors have impaired his ability to eat. Combined , the reports strongly suggest that all of these reports , barring the Esophogeal Cancer , are true. Surely , more information will be made available in a matter of days. Dodd told the press that he is determined to perform again.
Dodd had recently rejoined The Standells , whose current lineup includes founder/Keyboardist , Larry Tamblyn , "Try It " era Bassist and founding member of Love , John Fleckenstein ,and special guest Guitarist , Johnny Echols from Love. However , his rapid departure caused some low - key controversy. I don't know the whole story behind that , so I won't get into it here. More information on how you can donate to Dodd's medical fund , or just send him an encouraging message can be found on Dodd's Face Book , and elsewhere. Dick Dodd enterred showbiz in the 50's on "The Mickey Mouse Club" (His Father was Jimmy Dodd , co - host of the program.). He drumed for classic Surf groups , The Bel - Aires and Eddie and The Showmen , and joined The Standells (In'64?) , appearing on TV SHOWS LIKe "tHE bING cROSBY sHOW" , "bEN cASEY" , AND , OF COURSE "The Munsters" . tHEY ALSO APPEARED IN THE MOVIES , "Zebra in The Kitchen" , "Get Yourself a College Girl" , and teh Teen-Drug Exploitation fave , "Riot on Sunset Strip".
IN 1966 , THE BAND BUSTED WIDE OPEN WITH "DIRTY WATER" , FOLLOWED BY LESSER HITS LIKE "SOMETIMES GOOD GUYS DON'T WEAR WHITE" AND "TRY IT".
They split up in 1968 or '69 , though future Little Feat leader , Lowell George would briefly join the band in Dodd's absence , and a later comeback attempt was made in the early 70's , with only Tamblyn and Guitarist , Tony Valentino in tow. The two would try to reform the group , again , in the early 80's , briefly bringing Dickie back into the fold. The classic "Dirty Water" lineup played at the Super 60's Festival in 1986 , WITH lOVE , sKY saxon , Eric Burdon , Spirit and others , and the band would turn up off and on into the new millineum. In 1999 , Valentino , Tamblyn and Dodd played a triumphant set at The Cave Stomp in New York , doubly impressive , as they had to follow an astonishing set by the monks. Both bands took the prize that night , if for totally different reasons. Dickie also fronted Joshua in the early 70's , who , despite a wretchedly Hippie - sounding name , released one LP , of Latin - tinged Hard Rock , not thoroughly removed from The Garage. He's performed Soul - flavored Rock under his own name and as The Dodd Squad since THE 80'S.
Think a good thought for the man. We all owe him a debt.
