The Rise and Fall of The Knack: From the #1 Hit “My Sharona” to the Backlash That Destroyed Them

The Rise and Fall of The Knack: From “My Sharona” to the Backlash That Destroyed Them

Introduction
The Knack burst onto the music scene in 1979 with the infectious single “My Sharona,” topping charts and selling millions in weeks. Their meteoric rise, fueled by a slick image and relentless touring, was abruptly halted by a coordinated backlash that turned critics, fans, and the press against them. The story of their rapid ascent and swift decline offers a cautionary tale about fame, image, and the power of public opinion.

Formation and Breakthrough
Doug Fieger, raised in Oak Park, Michigan, honed his songwriting in the gritty Detroit scene before moving to Los Angeles in the early 1970s. There he reunited with guitarist Berton Averre, and together they spent nearly five years writing demos while waiting for the right moment. In May 1978 they added drummer Bruce Gary - known for his jazz‑influenced style and work with Jack Bruce and Rod Stewart - and bassist Prescott Niles. The Knack debuted at Whisky a Go Go on June 1, 1978, and over the next six months played more than 50 shows at Whisky and the Troubadour, drawing crowds that included Tom Petty, Ray Manzarek, and Bruce Springsteen, who even jammed with them on stage. Their relentless live presence earned them 14 record‑label offers in a single weekend, and in January 1979 they signed with Capitol Records, the same label that had housed the Beatles in America.

Peak Success and Image
The band recorded their debut album, Get the Knack, at the Record Plant in New York in April 1979. Producer Mike Chapman, famed for his work with Sweet and Blondie, captured the group’s energy in just two weeks for a cost of $18,000. The album was released on June 11, 1979, and within 13 days sold 500,000 copies, earning gold status. By July it was certified platinum, and it reached number one on the Billboard 200, holding that spot for five consecutive weeks. “My Sharona” hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on August 25, 1979, staying there for six weeks and becoming the top song of the year in the United States. The follow‑up single, “Good Girls Don’t,” peaked at number 11 in the U.S. and number one in Canada. Capitol’s marketing echoed the Beatles’ iconic black‑and‑white aesthetic, positioning the Knack as the next British Invasion. For a brief summer, the band dominated radio, record stores, and the cultural conversation.

Backlash and Decline
The Knack’s image strategy backfired when critics and fans began to resent their perceived over‑exposure and lack of authenticity. A San Francisco artist named Hugh Brown launched the “Nuke the Knack” campaign, distributing T‑shirts and bumper stickers that became punk and alternative badges of honor. The backlash intensified as journalists scrutinized the band’s lyrics, labeling them predatory and misogynistic. The Knack’s decision to limit interviews further alienated the press, leaving the band vulnerable to negative coverage. In February 1980, they rushed a second album, But the Little Girls Understand, recorded in two weeks, but its singles - “Baby Talks Dirty” and “Can’t Put a Price on Love” - failed to match the success of their debut. Internal tensions grew, with Fieger’s substance abuse and strained relationships with drummer Bruce Gary. The band dissolved on New Year’s Eve 1981 in Acapulco, Mexico, after a tour that exposed the cumulative weight of criticism, commercial failure, and personal exhaustion.

Key Facts

1. Doug Fieger was born in Oak Park, Michigan, and formed the band Sky before creating The Knack.
2. “My Sharona” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on August 25, 1979, and stayed there for six weeks.
3. Get the Knack topped the Billboard 200 for five consecutive weeks and was certified platinum within seven weeks of release.
4. The Knack signed with Capitol Records, the same label that had housed the Beatles in America.
5. The band officially disbanded on New Year’s Eve 1981 in Acapulco, Mexico.

FAQs
Q: Why did the Knack face such a strong backlash?
A: Their rapid rise, heavy marketing that mimicked the Beatles, and a deliberate refusal to engage with the press made them a target for critics, punk fans, and feminist groups who accused them of being over‑exposed, misogynistic, and lacking authenticity.

Q: What happened to the members after the breakup?
A: Bruce Gary became a sought‑after session drummer, working with Bob Dylan, George Harrison, and Stephen Stills. Berton Averre collaborated with Bette Midler, Prescott Niles continued session work and production, and Doug Fieger pursued production, songwriting, and a television role on Roseanne before his death in 2010.

Conclusion
The Knack’s story illustrates how lightning‑fast success can ignite a backlash just as quickly. Their chart‑topping hits, relentless touring, and slick image were undone by a coordinated cultural attack that turned critics and fans alike into detractors. Yet the legacy of “My Sharona” endures, proving that a single song can outlive the band that created it.