The Cover of Rolling Stone

Hey there, Zoo Freaks! The Zoo Crew is spinning the classic tune "The Cover of Rolling Stone" by Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show, a satirical gem from their 1972 single, penned by the legendary Shel Silverstein. This song, which hit No. 6 on the U.S. pop chart, humorously laments the band’s struggle to land on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, poking fun at the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle with lines about groupies, drugs, and an Indian guru. Fun fact: the song’s success actually led to the band gracing the cover of Rolling Stone’s March 29, 1973 issue, though in a cheeky caricature featuring just three members—Ray Sawyer, Dennis Locorriere, and Billy Francis—with the headline “What’s-Their-Names Make the Cover.” The band’s manager, Ron Haffkine, pitched the song as a free ad for the magazine, convincing editor Jann Wenner to send a young Cameron Crowe to interview the group, cementing their place in rock history.

Another wild tidbit comes from co-lead singer Dennis Locorriere, who debunked an urban legend about the song’s UK release. The BBC refused to play it, citing the mention of “Rolling Stone” as advertising. Contrary to rumors that the band re-recorded it as “The Cover of the Radio Times,” Locorriere clarified that BBC DJs simply shouted “RADIO TIMES” over the original chorus, layering their voices on top. You can still hear the faint “Rolling Stone” in the background! The UK publicists spun this into a marketing win, touting it as “the first banned single of 1973.” And true to the song’s lyrics, the band bought “five copies for my mother” when they made the cover, with Ray Sawyer’s eyepatch-wearing charisma front and center in the cartoonish depiction.

Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show kicked off their journey in Union City, New Jersey, in 1968, born from the ashes of a southern band called The Chocolate Papers. Guitarist George Cummings, alongside Ray Sawyer and Billy Francis, formed the core, with Sawyer’s distinctive eyepatch—inspired by a near-fatal 1967 car accident that cost him his right eye—sparking the band’s name, a nod to Captain Hook from Peter Pan. Dennis Locorriere joined as bassist and co-lead vocalist, and drummer Jay David rounded out the early lineup. Their big break came in 1970 when Shel Silverstein, the poet and cartoonist, discovered their demo tapes and enlisted them to bring his songs to life. This led to their first gig recording the soundtrack for the Dustin Hoffman film Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me?, which, despite flopping, caught Columbia Records’ attention. Their 1971 debut album, featuring Silverstein’s “Sylvia’s Mother,” hit No. 5 on the Billboard charts, setting the stage for their rowdy, humorous brand of rock.

The band’s early days were as chaotic as their stage shows, filled with bawdy improvisation and surreal banter. They were known for antics like impersonating their opening acts and once filed for bankruptcy in 1974 after partying their tour earnings into the red. Despite lineup changes, with members like John Wolters joining later, they churned out hits like “Sharing the Night Together” and “When You’re in Love with a Beautiful Woman” through the late ’70s and early ’80s. Ray Sawyer, who passed away in 2018 at 81, and Locorriere, who still tours as Dr. Hook, gave the band its dual-vocal charm, blending country, rock, and humor into a sound that still resonates with fans today.

Want to dive deeper into the Dr. Hook world? Check out their official website at drhookofficial.com for tour dates and merch. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram for updates, or join the conversation on X. Fans can connect on the Dr. Hook Fan Club Facebook Group or visit drhook.com, a fan-run site packed with band history and memorabilia. Keep rocking, Zoo Freaks!