Doug Fieger August 20, 1952 - February 14, 2010
In person, Doug was brilliant, witty, with a wry and biting sense of humor. To those who loved him, his sometimes outspoken and argumentative nature (another Fieger Family trait) was recognized as a thin facade for a genuinely caring and gentle soul. Someone once remarked, tongue-in-cheek, that "Doug had more friends than he could shake a stick at, not that he didn't try."
In the Buddhist tradition, Doug will be wrapped in a shroud and left to lie in repose for three days. His remains will be cremated. A memorial in Los Angeles for relatives and close friends is pending. In lieu of flowers or contributions, the family hopes that you continue to fill your homes and hearts with music.
Doug is survived by his older brother, Geoffrey, his younger sister, Beth Falkenstein, his nieces and nephews, Freya, Gretel, Julian, Aidan and Quinn, and hundreds of friends. He also remained very close to his former wife, Mia who was with him continuously at the end.
On behalf of Doug, his family wishes to thank all of his loyal friends and fans for their years of support and well wishes. Doug did not suffer. He is in a better place. And wherever he is, his love and music will continue to shower down upon all of us who remain in this mortal coil, forever.
Dedicated to my Friend and Bandmate
Restless and weary as i pine away the moments whilstlistening to Chopin’s c# minor etude. the pathos and despair heard in this music only match my own as i dwell in the silence, the silence that only an Imminent death can inspire. Doug may not make it to the morning light his spirit on the verge of going home to his higher power, his God of salvation. He has fought for the life that at one point was a given, a free-choice to do as he would to fall or to reign!
Though the regrets and judgments have fallen to the wayside and all that is left is the purity andvbeauty of his innocence, now returning in it’s fullest glory. i cannot now find peace as i once knew it. Doug, the source of friction and continual joy in my life is now perched to shed his mortal frame
that has been ravaged by the curse of cancer. Though his body has wasted away, His Spirit shines as never before. His whole man rises from the ashes
and awaits his maker, unashamed and expectant of the rewards he has earned.
The lives that Doug has touched and saved as a result of his own repentance, has echoed to the the highest steeple in the Heavens above. Souls were set free by his witness for the saving power of the AA program that at one time saved him from his own self inflicted demise.
Doug’s spirit now shines in a brilliant radiance one that he could never have imagined could ever be. Today he wears the purple robes of a King, for this tough Leo has finally claimed his sovereignty, after heading down a road he never expected to travel on. The countless friends that have offered their tearful farewells are but a grain of sand on life’s beach. My 31 years + with Doug have been a journey and a ˝. I shall never forget and ever be thankful for. the peaks and the valleys that could never have been more extreme, more unpredictable ,or more exciting .The chance to be at your bedside holding you close and whispering to you as the tears fell, just how much i love you in return for the privilege to have known and worked with you for these 31+ plus years.
In one of our private moments you shared with me that one of your most haunting regrets was that you wished that you had really taken the time to understand and Bruce and to have been a more loving friend!
Well Doug, you now have eternity to embark on this mission as i pray that Bruce will be there awaiting your arrival with hugs kisses and an outstretched hand assuring you that all is well and welcome home.
I love you Doug and for now, say adieu my Knack brother and eternal friend!!!!!
Prescott Niles xx
I shared some wonderful times with him in my brief stint with the knack.
he invited me to stay at the guest house in his home while we worked together.He was an inspiration spiritually, to me. he was kind, generous, intelligent, sharp, witty and so much fun. I might be able to remember a few other times in my life where I laughed so hard & so frequently as when i hung with Doug, but probably not more than that.
He was a true talent as well. When we made the record, we did all but 2 tracks live & on the first take. I felt like I was in the early days of The Beatles. And for all his pop sensibility he was way educated on obscure, meaningful and innovative music. We had deep conversations late into the night on many subjects, his insight & knowledge were always surprisingly astute.
He was an avid collector of many things, but mainly cars (both real & model... at the time he owned a Shelby Cobra & a Racing Mustang) & automotive memorabilia. I got him into collecting Fountain Pens. (we went to an L.A. Fountain Pen show together & he got the bug). He bought a few for himself but then said he wanted to buy me whatever my favorite acquisition might be as a gift for playing with The Knack. I chose a silver parker challenger set with a rare sword clip, it is still one of my prized possessions.
He would take me to George Hamilton's cigar bar in Beverly Hills where Doug would generously share his stash of Cubans & treat me to Moca Cappuccino's. one night I met with the directors of ensemble modern & discussed playing Zappa's yellow shark & some of my classical stuff with them. these guys are major brain trusts for contemporary music on an international level. I believe over the course of the evening, Doug impressed them more than I ever could.
To Prescott & Berton, i share your loss.
I love you Doug (and i know you know that). I will miss you.
Terry Bozzio
Doug Fieger Memorial Page on Facebook
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