Dr. Don's Double Dose - Don Hopkins & Rob Grosser

Dr. Don’s Double Dose are Don Hopkins, piano and vocals with Rob Grosser, drums and percussion. Their music draws from the rich vein of blues and jazz of the 1920s and 30s through to the R&B, soul and gospel sounds of the 1950s and 60s with an emphasis on the New Orleans, piano styles and songs. Classics and rarities from the blues catalogue are intermingled with Dr. Don originals. The duoʼs music creates the good-time, barrelhouse and boogie-woogie fun of a blues party night. As well as playing the drums, Rob beats out catchy rhythms on his washboard were needed.

An influential part of Sydneyʼs Blues scene since the 1970s, Don was inducted into the Goulburn Blues Walk Of Fame in 2002. Don has played piano and keys on many Australian albums over the years, receiving a Chain Award for his work on the Sippinʼ and Slidinʼ CD by JR & The Bar Kings. His CD appearances include the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) nominated “Little Story” and “Share This Life” by Jim Conwayʼs Big Wheel. Don wrote and sang the majority of tracks on these CDs.

Rob Grosser started out playing drums in the big band swing style of his heros before recording and touring with pop, rock and blues bands from the 1970s to 1990s . One of these, The Aliens had two top ten Australian singles. As well as Dr. Donʼs Double Dose, Rob has performed with many acts live and on CD including, Jon Lord (Deep Purple), the late Pete Wells (Rose Tattoo), Chris Turner, and a duo with Tim Gaze.

Don and Rob are looking forward to continuing writing and recording their next CD and are back performing in Australia mainly in and around Sydney. They will be at the Kiama Jazz Festival on the 2nd weekend in March as well as Bathurst Panthers on the 24th of March.
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Rob Grosser Biography

Rob is originally from Adelaide where he played with various bands before moving to Melbourne then finally settling in Sydney.

1977 - 78 Played in Adelaide Riff-Raff
1978 - 81 Moved to Melbourne
Played with punk band News
Recorded with USA producer Kim Fowley, (Kiss. The Runaways etc) Released album "The Lonely Boys"
Joined The Aliens –Toured nationally supporting The Police, UK Squeeze etc. Released Album "Translator" having two top ten singles, "Confrontation & "Follow That Girl"
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Don Hopkins Biography

After performing originals and covers in bands and playing in folk clubs through his high school years Don played in the jug band, Cosmo Hamfat Entertainers that performed at festivals and venues in the early 1970s.

From 1974 he led the
Don Hopkins R&B Four who appeared on an EP and performed live on 2JJ (now 2JJJ). During this period Don studied art at the National Art School and musically directed for ABC education and drama radio programs.
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