The Dudek Finnigan Krueger Band

Brought together by CBS, Dudek, Finnigan, Krueger, or the DFK Band, was one of those projects that seem inspired on paper but just don't work out commercially. Guitarist/vocalist Jim Krueger and keyboardist/vocalist Mike Finnigan, who met in the Dave Mason Band, had built impressive resumés previously on their own. A member of late-'60s band the Serfs and a reunited Big Brother & the Holding Company (without Janis Joplin) in 1969, he recorded with the Jerry Hahn Brotherhood in 1970 and Jerry Wood in 1972 before recording his debut album in 1976. Wisconsin-born Krueger had become an important member of the Dave Mason Band, co-writing the pop hit "We Just Disagree." Working with Finnigan, he recorded a solo album, Sweet Salvation, in 1978. Rhode Island-born guitarist Les Dudek was a highly regarded sideman by the late-'70s, having spent five years in Boz Scaggs' band. Dudek, Finnigan, Krueger's overly slick approach to West Coast pop failed to find much of an audience, however, and the group disbanded shortly after releasing its self-titled debut album in 1980. Dudek went on to work with Cher in the early '80s, appearing as her boyfriend in the 1985 film Mask, and Steve Miller, who recorded his tune "Sacrifice," in the early '90s. Finnigan's resumé includes session work for Alice Cooper, Ben Sidran, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Dan Fogelberg, Etta James, Jimi Hendrix, Leonard Cohen, Maria Muldaur, Ringo Starr, Rod Stewart, and Tracy Chapman. He's worked with David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash on a variety of solo and band projects since the 1970s. Taking a hiatus from music for nearly a decade, Krueger resurfaced with two albums, 100 Proof and Raise It!, recorded with novelty-bar band the Happy Schnapps Combo in the early '90s. He died in 1993. ~ Craig Harris, All...