Iconic star who sang about drugs dies after saying they 'want to go home'
Michael Brewer, one half of the folk rock duo Brewer & Shipley, famed for their single One Toke Over the Line, has sadly passed away at 80. Brewer's musical partner, Tom Shipley, 83, shared the news of the singer-songwriter's death on Facebook, following a three-year health struggle. "My friend of 65 years and music partner for over 60, had to go," said Tom, who last saw him at Cox Medical Center Branson in Branson, Missouri on December 14.
Tom shared: "He told me he wanted to go home. He was weak and very tired. They took him home on Sunday and his wife Scarlett called this morning to tell me he was gone. So tonight I will raise a glass to Michael and drink to all those years, all those miles, all those songs, and all the heavenly audiences we played for."
In a heartfelt conclusion to his post, Tom said, "Go with God my [friend]. I'll see you on the other side." An obituary posted on the band's Facebook page mentioned that Brewer "battled multiple illnesses for the past 3 years." Brewer & Shipley enjoyed their greatest success during the tumultuous American years of the late-1960s to early-1970s amid changing times and the Vietnam War. Their hit One Toke Over The Line, released in March of 1971, contained timely references to the era of free love and marijuana use.
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The song One Toke Over The Line was name-dropped in the first chapter of Hunter S. Thompson's iconic novel Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, according to the duo's Facebook page. It has also been featured in several films, including Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas and St. Vincent, as well as in the popular video game Grand Theft Auto IV.
In an interview with NPR's A Breath of Fresh Air in February 2022, Brewer revealed that the idea for the song, which was their only Top 40 single, originated from a joke about getting high. Brewer explained that they wrote the song simply to entertain themselves and make their friends laugh. He recalled that they were about to go on stage for their fourth set when a friend showed up with some potent Lebanese hash. After taking a few tokes, they returned to tune up for their final set, and Tom quipped, "Man, I'm one toke over the line." Brewer couldn't help but burst out laughing at the comment.
As of Monday, Brewer's official cause of death had not been disclosed, according to People. Born in Oklahoma City on April 14, 1944, Brewer began his musical journey while still in high school, singing and drumming in a rock band. After graduating in 1962, he performed at coffee houses across the country, eventually meeting Shipley in Kent, Ohio.
In 1965, Brewer and singer-songwriter Tom Mastin formed the duo Mastin & Brewer and signed a deal with Columbia Records, relocating to Los Angeles. After Mastin left the group before their debut album, Brewer started collaborating with Shipley, penning tracks for A&M Records.
The duo also had two singles make it into the Billboard Hot 100: 1970's Tarkio Road, which reached No. 55; and 1972's Shake Off the Demon, which charted at number 98. Their work has been covered by artists such as David Lee Roth, The Byrds and the late John Denver, according to the Facebook obituary, and they had appeared on TV shows like The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and The Dick Cavett Show.
The musical pair parted ways in 1980, but reunited for performances in 1987. Brewer's solo discography included albums like Beauty Lies (1983), Michael Brewer/Retro Man (2004), It Is What It Is (2010) and Dancing with My Shadow (2012).
An online obituary states that Brewer is survived by his wife Scarlett Cameron, daughters Carrie Smith and Sarah Brewer; Cameron's daughters Tara Cameron Winker and Suzy Cameron and niece Leigh Bodenheimer; along with several grandchildren.
