Lee-Dorman-Obituary

Lee Dorman

Obituary

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lee Dorman, the bassist for psychedelic rock band Iron Butterfly, has died at age 70.

Orange County sheriff's spokeswoman Gail Krause says Dorman was found dead in a vehicle Friday morning. A coroner's investigation is under way, but foul play is not suspected.

Krause said Dorman may have been on his way to a doctor's appointment when he died.

Iron Butterfly was formed and rose to prominence in the late 1960s. Its second album, "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida," sold more than 30 million copies, according to the band's website. The title track's distinctive notes have been featured in numerous films and TV shows including "The Simpsons," ''That '70s Show" and in the series finale of "Rescue Me."

Douglas Lee Dorman was born in September 1942 and had been living in Laguna Niguel, a coastal city in Southern California, when he died.

A message sent through the band's website was not immediately returned.



Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

i was lucky enough to see Lee, Martin G and the others live in Birmingham UK not long before COVID hit the UK. Lee needed assistance to get to his stool but kept those intriguing bass lines flowing all night. Then it happened . . . . that superb intro played by Martin, followed by the In-a-gadda intro, followed by a stampede of fans racing to the front. Brilliant, never to be forgotten.

I saw the "Butterfly" back in the '60's and after watching Lee play the Bass I started playing for the rest of my life. I didn't know you had passed. I sorry and thank you for being a really great musician.

I remember heading to my car at the Harrisburg Farm Show Arena when I heard a hey can you help me from Lee. Earlier I helped set up for the show . They left me ! Is what Lee said . Can you give me a ride ? Sure I said where are you staying ? I dont know we got in late last night Hop in , do you remember anything at all ? There was a train track .
Ok then youre most likely staying at one of the hotels on Front St by the river . Twenty minutes later he was reunited with the band . He...

thank you so much, Lee, for all those fabulous bass notes you played on all of The Iron Butterfly recordings. your music added to your other fellow bandmates performance contributions will LIVE ON FOREVER -- and you will thus always be remembered for your greatness in making Iron Butterfly history in the pop music world.

You were a true musical inspiration to me. Thank you for your indelible mark and influence on my own bass playing and appreciation for music.

You helped create the rock anthem of my generation. We used to blare In-A-Godda across our fire base speakers in Viet Nam. It always got our blood running !!

A genuine giant of the bass guitar, with all the contrapuntal melodicism of James Jamerson. I turned on to the Butterfly when I was a kid and have stuck with them ever since (and that's a LONG time at this point). If any of Lee's family members happen to read this, I offer my sincere condolences.

Happy 71st Birthday Lee. We all miss you.