D. Boon

Few bands have opposed rock star status so vehemently and broken down all barriers between group and audience so thoroughly as '80s punkers the Minutemen, led by singer/guitarist D. Boon. Born Dennes Dale Boon on April 1, 1958, in San Pedro, CA, he and childhood friend Mike Watt picked up guitar and bass respectively as teenagers, at the insistence of Boon's mother. At first immersed in the sounds of such '70s rock as Blue Öyster Cult, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and the Who, it wasn't long before the duo had discovered punk rock. Inspired by such outfits as the Germs, Wire, and Richard Hell & the Voidoids, Boon and Watt enlisted another friend, George Hurley, for the drum position, and formed the Reactionaries — changing their name to the Minutemen shortly thereafter.

The band immediately became part of the burgeoning punk scene that was raging on the nearby Sunset Strip in L.A. (Black Flag, Circle Jerks, Fear, etc.), signing to Black Flag's SST label in 1980. The Minutemen were one of punk's most politically charged bands (the majority of their songs supported their liberal beliefs), while Boon's scratchy, 100 percent distortion-free guitar playing and yelled vocals became main ingredients of the band's caustic sound. From 1981 through 1985, the Minutemen toured relentlessly and cranked out albums at a brisk rate — 1981's The Punch Line, 1983's Buzz or Howl Under the Influence of Heat and What Makes a Man Start Fires?, 1984's Double Nickels on the Dime, and 1985's 3-Way Tie for Last (not to mention a slew of singles/EP's). With each successive release, the Minutemen's sound began touching upon different musical styles — jazz, folk, funk, and even spoken word. Boon's life was tragically cut short on December 22, 1985, when he was killed in an auto accident. The Minutemen promptly disbanded, but the remaining two members eventually formed another band, fIREHOSE, with Minutemen fanatic Ed Crawford assuming the vocal/guitar duties (each fIREHOSE album contained a dedication to Boon). D. Boon's reckless guitar playing has inspired numerous guitarists over the years, including Jawbox's J. Robbins, Nels Cline, and Pavement's Stephen Malkmus. In 1997, Mike Watt issued his second solo effort, Contemplating the Engine Room, a punk rock opera which recounted Watt's relationship with Boon.