Doug Hopkins

Hopkins was born in Seattle, Washington, and raised in Tempe, Arizona.[1] He graduated from Tempe's McClintock High School in 1979, and two years later, while attending Arizona State University, formed his first rock band with Bill Leen. Hopkins was the guitarist and Leen the bassist, although neither knew how to play the instruments.[2] Hopkins graduated from Arizona State in 1985, with a degree in sociology.[3]

By 1987, Hopkins and Leen formed Gin Blossoms, and in 1988, Jesse Valenzuela and Phillip Rhodes signed on as the band's second guitarist and drummer, respectively.[2] Robin Wilson, the band's eventual lead singer, joined in 1988 as well.[4]

Hopkins had suffered from chronic depression since childhood and had been battling alcoholism for several years. However, in 1990, Gin Blossoms were one of the hottest local bands in Tempe and the surrounding areas, and they signed a contract with A&M Records.[2]

Hopkins was resistant to signing to a major label, feeling like its property, and reacted with stubbornness and more drinking.[5] When the band recorded its second studio album New Miserable Experience in February 1992,[2] it was reported that Hopkins was unable to stand during his recording sessions. Faced with the prospect of firing Hopkins or being dropped by A&M, the band terminated Hopkins. Doused in aftershave and mouthwash to cover the effects of his days-long drinking binge, he was flown back to Arizona.[5]

Hopkins was replaced by Scott Johnson. The band then withheld $15,000 (equivalent to $31,281 in 2022) owed to Hopkins until he agreed to sign over half of his publishing royalties. Hopkins was also required to relinquish his mechanical royalties to Johnson, his replacement. Hopkins reluctantly agreed to these demands because of his dire financial situation.[5] New Miserable Experience went on to become a multi-platinum album, though sales were initially slow.

After he returned to Tempe, Hopkins started another band, The Chimeras, with brothers Lawrence and Mark Zubia. Hopkins soon quit the band after a live performance went poorly. Shortly before his death, Hopkins appeared on stage with Dead Hot Workshop and Hans Olson in Tucson. The Chimeras later changed their name to The Pistoleros, upon signing a short-lived recording contract. The first several singles released by Gin Blossoms, and the only mainstream hit released by the Pistoleros prior to being dropped by their label, were penned by Hopkins.

As Gin Blossoms experienced mounting success performing songs he had written, Hopkins became increasingly despondent.[2] Although he had always dreamed of having a gold record, when he received one (for the song "Hey Jealousy"), he hung it up for two weeks before taking it down and then destroying it. Nine days later, after an intake consultation in the detox unit of Phoenix's St. Luke's Hospital, Hopkins purchased a .38 caliber pistol. The next day, December 5, 1993, Hopkins took his own life by shooting himself.[5]

In 1994, Larry Rudolph of the New York firm of Rudolph & Beer, which represented the Hopkins estate, announced that eighteen songs were found and were open for a recording deal.[6] Circa 2000, award-winning documentarian Mark Stanoch secured the rights to Hopkins’ music and story for a biopic potentially starring Ethan Hawke, but plans got bogged down.[7]

• Lost Horizons – A Tribute To Doug Hopkins
• Doug Hopkins at AllMusic
• Metro Times – Jesus of Suburbia