Sir Douglas Drummer Dies

Johnny Perez, 69, drummer for Sir Douglas Quintet, died from complications of cirrhosis of the liver in Topanga, Calif., Sept. 10.

Perez also owned Topanga Skyline Studio, which opened in the early ’70s, according to the San Antonio Express-News. Perez, an amateur Golden Glove boxer, collaborated with Joe “King” Carrasco on the band’s music, and he performed its biggest hits, including “She’s About A Mover,” “The Rains Came” and “Mendocino.”  

“J.P. was the spirit of the band,” son Shawn Sahm told the paper. “He used to protect the guys from people that picked on them for having long hair. He was saving their [butts] all the time.”