Michael Brewer, who achieved fame as half of the folk-rock duo Brewer & Shipley, passed away on December 17, 2023, at age 80. His longtime musical partner Tom Shipley shared the news, noting that Brewer had faced multiple health challenges over the past three years.
Born Charles "Michael" Brewer in Oklahoma City in 1944, he began his musical journey playing drums and singing in a high school rock band before transitioning to guitar. After graduating in 1962, he performed his original music in coffee houses across the United States, where he eventually met Tom Shipley in Kent, Ohio.
The duo rose to prominence in the late 1960s and early 1970s with their socially conscious songwriting and commentary on the Vietnam War. Their biggest hit, "One Toke Over the Line," reached the top 10 in 1971. The song, which celebrated marijuana culture, was born from an impromptu moment before a performance. As Brewer recalled in a 2022 NPR interview, it started as a joke between friends after sampling some "really good Lebanese hash."
Before partnering with Shipley, Brewer had formed Mastin & Brewer with Tom Mastin in 1965, opening for notable acts like the Byrds and Buffalo Springfield. After Mastin's departure, Brewer and Shipley joined forces as songwriters for A&M Records' publishing division.
The pair scored two other Billboard Hot 100 hits: "Tarkio Road" (#55 in 1970) and "Shake Off the Demon" (#98 in 1972). Though they disbanded in 1980, they later reunited for performances and formed One Toke Productions, continuing to write and record together.
Brewer also pursued a solo career, releasing several albums including "Beauty Lies" (1983), "Retro Man" (2004), and "Dancing with My Shadow" (2012).
In his final tribute, Shipley, 83, promised to "raise a glass to Michael and drink to all those years, all those miles, all those songs, and all the heavenly audiences we played for," adding poignantly, "I'll see you on the other side."