Dave Hlubek, the lead guitarist and founding member of the southern rock band Molly Hatchet, passed away on September 2, 2017, at the age of 66. The cause of death was a heart attack, according to the band’s official Facebook page. Hlubek was known for his fiery guitar playing and his prolific songwriting, especially for the band’s signature hit “Flirtin’ with Disaster”.
A Life of Music and Adventure
Hlubek was born in Jacksonville, Florida, on August 28, 1951. He moved around a lot as a child, living in Hawaii, California, and back to Florida. He started playing guitar at an early age and formed his first band, Mind Garden, with his friend Tim Lindsey. He founded Molly Hatchet in 1971, naming the band after a legendary axe murderer from his hometown.
Molly Hatchet’s sound was influenced by hard rock and heavy metal bands like Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Deep Purple, as well as southern rock bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Allman Brothers Band. Hlubek was also the original vocalist of the band, but later recruited Danny Joe Brown to take over the singing duties. The band’s lineup changed over the years, but Hlubek remained the main songwriter and guitarist.
Molly Hatchet released their self-titled debut album in 1978, which featured the classic song “Dreams I’ll Never See”, a cover of an Allman Brothers Band song. The album was a moderate success, but it was their second album, Flirtin’ with Disaster, that catapulted them to fame. The album sold over two million copies and reached No. 19 on the Billboard 200 chart. The title track became a staple of classic rock radio and a live favorite.
The band continued to release albums throughout the 1980s and 1990s, but faced several challenges, such as lineup changes, label disputes, and health issues. Hlubek left the band in 1987 due to his drug addiction and personal problems. He later admitted that he had a “horrendous cocaine problem” that made him “unbearable” to work with.
A Comeback and a Legacy
Hlubek moved to Port St. Lucie, Florida, where he got sober and started working with other bands and musicians. He co-founded the Southern Rock Allstars with Blackfoot drummer Jakson Spires and former Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Mike Estes. He also formed several bands under his own name, such as Hlubek & Friends, Southern Jam Band, and Southern Rock Legends.
In 2005, Hlubek rejoined Molly Hatchet as one of the three lead guitarists, along with Bobby Ingram and Phil McCormack. He continued to tour and record with the band until his death. He appeared on four studio albums and two live albums with the reunited Molly Hatchet.
Hlubek’s death was mourned by his fans and fellow musicians. His former bandmate Banner Thomas died earlier that year from pneumonia. The band’s Facebook page paid tribute to Hlubek, saying: “He will be missed but never forgotten, as the music lives on through his legacy in Molly Hatchet.”
Dave Hlubek was one of the pioneers of southern rock and one of the most influential guitarists of his generation. His songs and riffs inspired countless rockers and fans around the world. His cause of death may have been a heart attack, but his heart was always in his music. He rocked until the end.
