Uncommon · People

D. Boon

American guitarist and singer (1958–1985)

Dennes Dale Boon (April 1, 1958 – December 22, 1985), commonly known as D. Boon, was an American musician, best known as the guitarist, singer and songwriter of the punk rock trio Minutemen (formed by previous members of the Reactionaries). He formed Minutemen in 1980 with bassist Mike Watt and drummer George Hurley.

Minutemen were known for their politically-charged lyrics and energetic, fast-paced music, and they released several influential records during their career. Despite his early death in an auto accident, Boon's contributions to punk rock and independent music have been widely recognized. He is remembered as an important figure in the history of these genres and as one of the most technically accomplished American punk guitarists of his era. Dennes Dale Boon was born in San Pedro, California, on April 1, 1958. His father, a navy veteran, worked installing radios in Buick cars, and the Boons lived in former World War II barracks that had been converted into public housing. According to childhood friend and future bandmate Mike Watt, Boon was unfamiliar with popular music and had grown up listening to Buck Owens and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Watt introduced Boon to Blue Öyster Cult and the Who. Urged by Boon's mother, Boon and Watt began to learn to play instruments.

Text: Wikipédia, CC BY-SA 4.0. · Image: UCLA Library Special Collections (CC BY 2.0) ·