Ted Templeman

Career

Templeman began his career in the mid 1960s in the Santa Cruz area as a drummer in a band called The Tikis. At the suggestion of Lenny Waronker, the group decided to change their name. Harpers Bizarre was founded in 1966, with Templeman switching to guitar and vocals. In 1967, the group released the album Feelin' Groovy (Warner Bros.), which included material by Randy Newman that later appeared on the songwriter's 1972 album Sail Away. Harpers Bizarre disbanded in 1970.

That same year, Templeman recorded what is now considered a cult classic. Using doubletracking, he appeared as "The Templeton Twins" backed by "Teddy Turner & his Bunsen Burners," recording contemporary hits of the time such as "Hey Jude" and "Light My Fire" in a pseudo-1920s style.

Much of his work was done in collaboration with recording engineer Donn Landee at Sunset Studios in Hollywood, California. In 1970, Templeman began working as an engineer for Warner Bros. Records. That year, he produced the eponymous The Doobie Brothers debut album, followed the next year by the Doobies' Toulouse Street album, which achieved platinum record status on the strength of the hit single "Listen to the Music." Templeman continued a long professional relationship with The Doobie Brothers, producing many more hit singles and albums for the group.

In 1973, Templeman produced another classic and eponymous album, Montrose, which was released in November of that year. The group was founded by guitarist and group leader Ronnie Montrose (who had worked with singers such as Van Morrison and Edgar Winter), and an up-and-coming singer, Sammy Hagar, who brought songs like "Bad Motor Scooter" and "Make It Last" to the guitarist.

In 1976, he produced Carly Simon's sixth studio album, Another Passenger, for which he arranged both the Doobie Brothers and Little Feat to serve as Simon's backing band. The album was not as commercially oriented as her previous work with producer Richard Perry, and its first single, a cover of the Doobies' "It Keeps You Runnin," did not reach the Top 40. However, the album received critical praise and many of its songs received airplay on album-oriented FM radio stations.

In 1977, Templeman saw a performance of an un-signed band, Van Halen. He persuaded Warner Bros. Chairman Mo Ostin to sign the group, and Templeman produced their eponymous first album. He would go on to produce five more albums for Van Halen. Templeman's voice is heard in the song "Unchained," saying "Come on Dave, gimme a break!" Lead singer David Lee Roth replies "One break, coming up!", leading into the song's chorus. Templeman also produced Roth's first two solo records, the EP Crazy from the Heat and the album Eat 'Em and Smile.

Other artists produced by Templeman include Van Morrison (Tupelo Honey, Saint Dominic's Preview, It's Too Late to Stop Now), Captain Beefheart (Clear Spot), Little Feat (Sailin' Shoes), Michael McDonald (If That's What It Takes), Aerosmith (Done with Mirrors), and Eric Clapton (Behind the Sun).

Since the late 1980s, Templeman has worked more sporadically. In the mid-2000s, he produced two albums by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and in 2008 he began working with the Doobie Brothers again on a new album.

In popular culture

Community creator and Channel 101 co-creator Dan Harmon portrayed a fictionalized version of Templeman on the Channel 101 web series Yacht Rock, a satirical history of soft rock. Two episodes of the series fictionalize Templeman's collaborations with The Doobie Brothers, Michael McDonald, and Van Halen.

As producer