WFIT

WFIT Public Radio for the Space Coast
News | Music | Podcasts | & More
📻 89.5 FM
🌐 linktr.ee/wfitfm
(3)

A great great story about someone you don't think you know! 😂
09/01/2025

A great great story about someone you don't think you know! 😂

Happy 83rd birthday to songwriter, musician, and producer Chip Douglas who was born Douglas Farthing Hatlelid on this date August 27, 1942 in San Francisco, CA.

Douglas was raised in Hawaii and began his musical career with a folk group he formed in high school, "The Wilcox Three", modeled after The Kingston Trio. During a trip to California, they were discovered by a well-known booking agency and signed by RCA/Camden to record an album at their studios in Hollywood. He performed in the group using the name "Chip Douglas".

The group dissolved and Douglas, along with Cyrus Faryar and noted rock photographer Henry Diltz, formed the Modern Folk Quartet (along with musician Jerry Yester) in Los Angeles. They were signed by Warner Bros. and recorded two albums: "Modern Folk Quartet" and "Changes".

The Modern Folk Quartet was signed by producer Phil Spector in 1966, and recorded a song, "This Could Be the Night", co-written by Spector and up-and-coming singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson. It was used as the theme song for "The Big T.N.T show"

In the latter half of 1966, Douglas was a member of the short-lived Gene Clark Group, a band featuring the ex-Byrds Gene Clark, ex-Grass Roots Joel Larson, and Bill Rinehart, formerly of the Leaves. Clark disbanded the group at the end of that year without having recorded or released any records.

When the Turtles' bassist Chuck Portz was fired from the band, Douglas was asked to take his place. His first record with them was "Happy Together".

Seeing the Turtles perform at Hollywood's Whisky a Go Go in early 1967, the Monkees' Michael Nesmith approached Douglas and asked if he would like to become the new producer for the band.

Douglas accepted Nesmith's offer, and joined The Monkees in the studio, first to create a new single with all four Monkees playing. It couldn't be released because of a publishing restriction imposed by Screen Gems (who both produced the Monkees series and controlled their music publishing). Douglas's next Monkees project was their "Headquarters" album.

Douglas produced the hit single "Pleasant Valley Sunday" (written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King), which featured an innovative guitar intro composed by Douglas and played by Nesmith. Douglas produced the next Monkees' album, "Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn, & Jones, Ltd.", on which he also played bass.

He also introduced members of the Monkees to new songwriters, including John Stewart, who wrote "Daydream Believer", which would become their second-biggest all-time single and was included on the 1968 album "The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees". Douglas also introduced the band members to Harry Nilsson, who played them a selection of his original songs, and became friends with the band.

As 1967 ended, the Monkees wanted to take full control of their music, and let go Douglas, who then became a producer for the Turtles. The first project was "The Turtles Present the Battle of the Bands" album, that included two more Turtles' top-ten hits: "Elenore" and "You Showed Me".

In 1969, Douglas produced the album "Hand Sown...Home Grown", the first solo album by Linda Ronstadt.

The Modern Folk Quartet reunited in 1975 and began to perform again, often appearing at the Ice House in Pasadena, California. For several years, they teamed up with ex-Kingston Trio member Dave Guard to back him in his solo act. In the 1980s, the Modern Folk Quartet recorded several albums for a Japanese record company. They also toured Japan, where they remain popular (1988, 1990, 2003, 2005, 2011 and 2016).

09/01/2025
09/01/2025

This week on Barefoot's Beach House hear three hours of tomorrow's indie and yesterday's alternative. (Disclaimer: no vinyl was scratched during this show). The Beach House airs Wednesday at 7PM on WFIT 89.5 and WFIT.org

Address

150 W University Boulevard
Melbourne, FL
32901

Telephone

+13216748950

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when WFIT posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category

WFIT

A voice of the community for more than 40 years, WFIT is your source for listener-supported and independent music, news and information. WFIT's mission is to provide quality programming that enriches and enhances the cultural and educational environment of east central Florida. Our station forms a unique partnership between the educational resources of Florida Institute of Technology and the informational needs of our listeners.

From local bands to artists across the globe, WFIT's diverse musical programming offers music from genres including indie rock and pop, jazz, folk, alternative, blues, classical, world and more. We feature live music sessions with local and touring artists recorded and streamed from our production studios.

WFIT works to promote the arts and cultural sector through event sponsorships, public service announcements and radio segments including Coastal Connection, Linking the Arts, and WFIT's Music and Arts Calendar.

As an NPR affiliate station, we also strive to encourage lifelong learning for our listeners through thought-provoking news and programs. From local segments such as the Psychology Science Minute, Inside Florida Tech, Florida Tech Faculty and Staff Profiles, and Florida Tech International Student Spotlights, to syndicated NPR news and Democracy Now!, WFIT provides distinct perspectives and top-notch journalism.