Post by Jesse on Apr 28, 2019 21:12:28 GMT -5
On Saturday morning, April 27th, 2019, it was reported (and later confirmed) that Molly Hatchet frontman Phil McCormack had passed away. I found this news sad as I had been a fan of the band for years and seen the band many times since Phil became their singer in 1996 and actually met him enough times that he knew me. I wouldn't say I was friends with him, I don't think he even knew my name, but he always pointed me out and said "hi" and "nice to see you again" when he was milling around the crowd before and after their set. I know in another post on this site, I called for Phil to be replaced in the band or given a rest, but I did like him. He was a good guy. I also found this news interesting as, being a fan, I knew that Molly Hatchet played a show on the Friday night before he was found dead. Here is where things get interesting and the "X-Files" music starts playing inside of my head. I found a youtube clip of the Molly Hatchet show from Friday night and they had a different singer. Bobby Ingram introduces him to the crowd as their "new singer" and talks about having spent the last few weeks writing songs with him. Hmmmm. On a, since deleted, post on Bobby Ingram's facebook page, someone said that they had talked to Phil a few weeks ago and Phil said he had been fired from the band after their last show on March 10th because he was late to the show. Another person responded that Phil had indeed been fired but not for being late to one show. The person responding was apparently part of the Molly Hatchet entourage and "in the know". When pressed, he simply stated that if Bobby Ingram wanted any more details public, he would do so himself. A few hours later ALL posts relating to the idea of Phil McCormack being fired were deleted. The person who posted the youtube clip I mentioned earlier stated in the comments section that the new singer, Jimmy Elkins, was simply filling in for McCormack and that, due to health issues, McCormack was taking some time off to rest up and address those issues. But, again, Bobby Ingram introduces Elkins as their new singer and talks about writing songs with him. I don't think you'd do that if he's just a temporary substitute. Also, before anything had been officially announced about Phil's death, the Molly Hatchet website had removed Phil as a band member.
Now here's where my conspiracy theories kick in. Is it just coincidence that Phil died either the night of or the morning after Hatchet's first show without him in 24 years? Why was there no announcement of Phil's departure? So far, sources are saying that McCormack died of a heart attack, but that has yet to be confirmed. Is it too far of a stretch to think that maybe this was suicide? I hate like hell to suggest that of someone like Phil, but that's where things point to IMO. Knowing the little bit of information that I was able to obtain about his situation, put yourself in his shoes. You are fired from a band that you were in for 24 years! The band was pretty much in shambles when you joined and with your input as a performer and songwriter became a relatively in-demand touring and recording outfit again. Playing big stages in Europe and big package shows in the U.S. 24 years you've given it your all, took your job seriously, was the most fan-friendly member of the band and only consistent member within that time besides your boss, Bobby Ingram himself. And through that time, you thought you were good friends with him. Now, you're fired. You're out of the band. No announcement on the website or facebook about it. No, "thanks for 24 years of your life and your contributions to the band". Nothing. Molly Hatchet had big plans for a new album and tour and live album in 2019 and now you're not a part of it. And now, here we are, the first night of another leg of the tour and you're not a part of it. At all. Makes you a little sick doesn't it? It does me, and I'm not the one who got the shaft. I mean, that's one big reality pill to swallow under the best of circumstances. That's a tough thing to deal with even if you are quite well adjusted and used to dealing with adversity. That's depressing even if you have close friends and family as emotional support, if you're sober, if you don't do drugs, if you're religious and have a personal relationship with God, if you're well-to-do financially, if you never had problems with depression or anxiety before, if you're of sound mind. Now, take any one of those things out of the equation. What do you have? Someone who might want to take their life. The night your former band debuts their new singer. It's really not that far of a jump and I hope it's not the case, but everybody within the Molly Hatchet camp is very hush-hush about the whole thing and not giving answers to some pretty simple questions. When was he fired? WAS he fired? Why no announcement about it? I would think they'd be excited to work with a new singer. And, if they did just give Phil a much needed break for health reasons, why not let the fans know? Ask for prayers of healing for their singer who needs it.
I dunno, I keep searching for answers and I keep ending up with more questions and it doesn't look good. They may continue with the "heart attack" story. And that may very well be the case. But ask yourself this: how much cocaine (or other stimulant drug) would it take to induce a heart attack on a 58 year old man who is overweight and out of shape? Again, I hate like hell to even make this suggestion, but the timing and the surrounding circumstances lead me to believe that he either took his own life or ODed. Or maybe took his own life BY ODing. Yes, it's only a theory, probably conspiratorial, but I don't think it's all that out of line to propose it. And I sure as hell hope it's completely wrong.
The truth is out there......
Now here's where my conspiracy theories kick in. Is it just coincidence that Phil died either the night of or the morning after Hatchet's first show without him in 24 years? Why was there no announcement of Phil's departure? So far, sources are saying that McCormack died of a heart attack, but that has yet to be confirmed. Is it too far of a stretch to think that maybe this was suicide? I hate like hell to suggest that of someone like Phil, but that's where things point to IMO. Knowing the little bit of information that I was able to obtain about his situation, put yourself in his shoes. You are fired from a band that you were in for 24 years! The band was pretty much in shambles when you joined and with your input as a performer and songwriter became a relatively in-demand touring and recording outfit again. Playing big stages in Europe and big package shows in the U.S. 24 years you've given it your all, took your job seriously, was the most fan-friendly member of the band and only consistent member within that time besides your boss, Bobby Ingram himself. And through that time, you thought you were good friends with him. Now, you're fired. You're out of the band. No announcement on the website or facebook about it. No, "thanks for 24 years of your life and your contributions to the band". Nothing. Molly Hatchet had big plans for a new album and tour and live album in 2019 and now you're not a part of it. And now, here we are, the first night of another leg of the tour and you're not a part of it. At all. Makes you a little sick doesn't it? It does me, and I'm not the one who got the shaft. I mean, that's one big reality pill to swallow under the best of circumstances. That's a tough thing to deal with even if you are quite well adjusted and used to dealing with adversity. That's depressing even if you have close friends and family as emotional support, if you're sober, if you don't do drugs, if you're religious and have a personal relationship with God, if you're well-to-do financially, if you never had problems with depression or anxiety before, if you're of sound mind. Now, take any one of those things out of the equation. What do you have? Someone who might want to take their life. The night your former band debuts their new singer. It's really not that far of a jump and I hope it's not the case, but everybody within the Molly Hatchet camp is very hush-hush about the whole thing and not giving answers to some pretty simple questions. When was he fired? WAS he fired? Why no announcement about it? I would think they'd be excited to work with a new singer. And, if they did just give Phil a much needed break for health reasons, why not let the fans know? Ask for prayers of healing for their singer who needs it.
I dunno, I keep searching for answers and I keep ending up with more questions and it doesn't look good. They may continue with the "heart attack" story. And that may very well be the case. But ask yourself this: how much cocaine (or other stimulant drug) would it take to induce a heart attack on a 58 year old man who is overweight and out of shape? Again, I hate like hell to even make this suggestion, but the timing and the surrounding circumstances lead me to believe that he either took his own life or ODed. Or maybe took his own life BY ODing. Yes, it's only a theory, probably conspiratorial, but I don't think it's all that out of line to propose it. And I sure as hell hope it's completely wrong.
The truth is out there......
. Danny Joe Brown did introduce the band but he marble-mouthed "Brian Bassett" so bad, it sounded like he could've said "Duane Roland". Original bassist Banner Thomas was with them when I saw them. 