The announcement of Hlubek’s passing appeared on Molly Hatchet’s Facebook page on September 3, 2017

Hours after the music world was stunned with the passing of Steely Dan co-founder Walter Becker on September 3, 2017, the news arrived that Dave Hlubek, the Molly Hatchet founder, lead guitarist and co-writer of many songs including “Flirtin’ With Disaster,” had died the day before, on September 2, of a heart attack. Hlubek had just turned 66 on Aug. 28.

Explore releases from Andy McKinney at Discogs. Shop for Vinyl, CDs and more from Andy McKinney at the Discogs Marketplace. Molly Hatchet was in ways similar to fellow Southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd in that it paired strong guitar work with a pounding boogie beat. When Brown left the band after Flirtin' with Disaster and was replaced by Farrar, the band's sound turned more to jamming and free form. Molly Hatchet discography and songs: Music profile for Molly Hatchet, formed 1971. Genres: Southern Rock, Hard Rock, Boogie Rock. Albums include Flirtin' With Disaster, Molly Hatchet, and Beatin' the Odds. Bobby Ingram (guitar, 1987-present), Andy McKinney (bass. Drumcam - Sean Shannon plays 'Flirtin With Disaster' live with Molly Hatchet at an outdoor festival concert. In this video: Andy McKinney, Tim Donovan, Phil. The music was filled with style and emotion and with bands in the forefront such as the Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd and a band from Jacksonville, Florida called Molly Hatchet. Named after a famous 17th-century axe murderess “hatchet molly” who would behead her lovers with the hand tool Lizzy Borden made famous.

Molly Mckinney Facebook

On their Facebook page, Molly Hatchet wrote a statement: “It is with great sorrow to announce the passing of our beloved friend and band member Dave Hlubek. Dave was one of the founding lead guitarists of Molly Hatchet. Amongst his many contributions to southern rock is ‘Flirtin’ with Disaster.’ Our condolences and our prayers go out to his family during this time of loss. He will be missed but never forgotten, as the music lives on through his legacy in Molly Hatchet.”

This marked the second death in the Molly Hatchet family in 2017. On April 10, bassist Banner Thomas, an early member of the Southern Rock band, died at age 60.

Related:Our Banner Thomas obituary

Molly Hatchet was formed in the early ’70s in Jacksonville, Fla., and was named after a famous 17th century axe murderess “hatchet molly,” who would behead her lovers with the hand tool Lizzy Borden made famous, according to the band’s website. The original band featured lead guitarist Hlubek, guitarist Steve Holland and bassist Thomas, with drummer Bruce Crump and guitarist Duane Roland joining in the mid-’70s. Hlubek was the band’s vocalist prior to Danny Joe Brown, who joined in 1976.

Thomas and Hlubek wrote and co-produced most of the band’s original material. The group is said to have filled a gap in the Southern Rock genre following the death of several members of Lynyrd Skynyrd in a plane crash.

Watch Molly Hatchet perform “Flirtin’ With Disaster”

Andy Mckinney Molly Hatchet

Related:Molly Hatchet are included in our story, 11 great southern rock albums

Andy Mckinney Of Molly Hatchet

• ‘Wayne’s World’ Cast Reunite; Joined by Classic Rock Stars - 12/08/2020
• ‘John Lennon 1980’ Book: Author Q&A - 12/08/2020
• December 8, 1980: A Day We Can Never Forget - 12/07/2020