Iowa History Daily: On February 18, 1949, legendary drummer and vocalist of The Doobie Brothers, Keith Knudsen, was born in LeMars, Iowa. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020, Knudsen stands as a notable Iowa musical artist.
Born in the seat of Plymouth County, Iowa, along the Floyd River, Knudsen spent his earliest years in northwestern Iowa. After a move took the family to Princeton, Illinois, he started drumming. After playing in small clubs with several bands, he joined The Doobie Brothers as drummer in 1974.
Dropped immediately into recording the platinum album “What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits,” Knudsen’s backing vocals helped to round out the album. Serving as the primary for the Doobie Brothers over the 1970s and early 1980s, Knudsen helped the band reach the pinnacle of rock and roll success.
During the 1980s, Knudsen and fellow Doobie Brother John McFee formed the popular country rock band Southern Pacific. After Knudsen helped bring about a reunion of the Doobie Brothers in the late-1980s, a hall of fame career continued for the Iowan until his death in 2020. #IowaOTD #IowaHistoryDaily #IowaHistoryCalendar
