THROUGHOUT the 1980s, Dr Hook were a staple on Jamaican radio with songs like Loveline and I’ll Put Angels Around You.

On May 11, the American pop group makes its first trip to Jamaica to perform on ‘To Mom With Love’ at LIME Golf Academy.

In a telephone link from his home in Florida, founding member and vocalist Ray Sawyer told the Jamaica Observer that Dr Hook retains the same attitude as when they started in the late 1960s.

“Our show is a fun show … We will enjoy it as much as you do. We don’t come out there trying to be anything, we’re just us,” he said.

The band, Dr Hook and The Medicine Show, was formed just over 45 years ago by three southerners: Sawyer, George Cumming and Billy Francis.

In the early 1970s, they made the Billboard charts with two big hits: Sylvia’s Mother and The Cover of Rolling Stone.

Jamaicans, however, know the band for easy-listening ’80s gems such as Loveline, Sharing The Night Together, I’ll Put Angels Around You and When You’re In Love With A Beautiful Woman.

Sawyer is surprised that Dr Hook’s songs are widely embraced by Jamaicans.

“We didn’t know that and that’s so very nice,” he said.

Over the years, the band has been through several personnel changes. The current members are Cayce Sawyer (Ray’s son) on drums; Kenne Cramer (lead guitar); Tommy Kerr (keyboards); Stevie Ray Henderson (bass) and Brian Davidson (lead and rhythm guitars).

While the group’s sound has evolved, Sawyer says their fans remain loyal.

“It’s the same voice, because it’s us doing original stuff. We go different places and perform from country to jazz,” he said.

Produced by Golden Promotions, To Mom With Love also features soul singer Dorothy Moore, Rhythm and Blues singer Glen Jones, Gem Myers, Karen Smith, Errol Dunkley, Pat Kelly and KC O’Neil.

— Cecelia Campbell-Livingston