Remembering “Lonesome” Dave Peverett…

“Lonesome” Dave Peverett (4/16/1943-2/7/2000) was the lead vocalist, front-man, rhythm and complementary guitarist for Foghat.  Peverett, bassist Tony Stevens and drummer Roger Earl were all members of the blues-rock group Savoy Brown before splintering off to form their own band. Guitarist-slide player Rod Price (11/22/1947-3/22/2005) left the Black Cat Bones in December of 1970 and soon joined the new venture. 

In early 1971, the band became Foghat, which is a nonsensical word derived from a game Peverett played as child.  The band’s self titled album, produced by Dave Edmunds, was released in 1972.  Their music was embraced by rock FM stations and Foghat was off and running.  The constant touring grind eventually took it’s toll on Tony Stevens.  He left the group in 1975, was temporarily replaced by Nick Jameson, then, shortly afterwards, Craig MacGregor assumed the new role.

I was fortunate enough to see Foghat’s “Night Shift Tour” in the fall of 1976 at the Monroe Civic Center, Monroe, Louisiana, during their hey-day, and believe me, they did not disappoint.  “Lonesome” Dave was spot on vocally, constantly teasing, taunting and working the crowd into a rocking good frenzy.  Roger Earl and Craig MacGregor laid down a solid, driving back beat and Rod Price, a.k.a “The Magician of Slide” and “Slide King of Rock & Roll”, was nothing short of mesmerizing on slide guitar.

Many line-up changes took place within the group over the years.  Earl and MacGregor continue to tour as Foghat with accomplished musicians Bryan Bassett on guitar/slide guitar and Charlie Huhn on lead vocals and guitar.  I have also had the opportunity to catch this collective group on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.  They do a solid interpretation of the bands classic music and if you’re into good blue-rock-boogie, their new material is certainly worth a listen.

Price left Foghat in 1999 following Peverett’s cancer diagnosis.  He returned to his blues roots as a solo artist.  Price died of an apparent heart attack at his home March 22nd, 2005.  Peverett returned to tour with Foghat while recuperating from cancer but later, eventually died from complications of cancer February 7th, 2000.