Douglas Owen Hopkins (April 11, 1961 – December 5, 1993) was an American musician and songwriter. He co-founded Gin Blossoms, a popular modern rock band of the early 1990s. He was the band's lead guitarist and principal songwriter. Hopkins' writing credits included the hits "Hey Jealousy" and "Found Out About You".

Due to his alcoholism, Hopkins was dismissed from Gin Blossoms just before the band broke into the mainstream. His dismissal was controversial, however, and it only worsened his alcoholism and mental health issues. Hopkins died in December 1993 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the age of 32.

History

Early life and education

Hopkins was born in Seattle, Washington, and raised in Tempe, Arizona. Hopkins graduated from Arizona State in 1985, with a degree in sociology.

Career

In 1987, Hopkins (lead guitar) and Leen (bass) formed Gin Blossoms alongside Richard Taylor on rhythm guitar, Chris McCann on drums, and Jesse Valenzuela on vocals. After a few lineup changes, by the following year, the lineup was settled when Velenzuela switched to rhythm guitar, Robin Wilson joined as vocalist, and Phillip Rhodes joined as drummer. Hopkins was the band's primary songwriter, both musically and lyrically (although other members occasionally contributed as well). The band released their debut album, Dusted, in 1989 on the independent label San Jacinto.

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 the major label A&M Records.

Due to the moderate success of Up and Crumbling, A&M continued to push the band to record a full-length album. In February 1992, during the recording sessions for their full-length major label debut album New Miserable Experience, it was reported that Hopkins' drinking had hit a breaking point. He was unable to stand during his recording sessions and his hands trembled to the point of being unable to play guitar. Faced with the prospect of firing Hopkins or being dropped by A&M, the band chose to terminate Hopkins. Doused in aftershave and mouthwash to cover the effects of his days-long drinking binge, he was flown back to Arizona. Ultimately, Gin Blossoms' first few hit singles were penned by Hopkins. The title of Gin Blossoms' third full-length album in 1996, Congratulations...I'm Sorry, alluded to Hopkins' death. In addition, The Chimeras (a band that Hopkins briefly played in shortly before his death) eventually changed their name to The Pistoleros, and their only charting single in the US ("My Guardian Angel") was also written by Hopkins.

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. A screenplay based on an article about Hopkins, Lost Horizons, was also created in 2020, although specific details were not yet confirmed.

References

  • Lost Horizons – A Tribute To Doug Hopkins