Brewer & Shipley rose to fame in the late 1960s and early 1970s due to their socially conscious lyrics and outspoken commentary on the Vietnam War. In 1971, they achieved a significant milestone with their hit song “One Toke Over the Line,” which not only captured the essence of the era’s embrace of marijuana and free love but also catapulted them into the top 10 charts.
Reflecting on the creation of the now iconic single during an interview on NPR’s A Breath of Fresh Air in 2022, Brewer shared, “We wrote it literally entertaining ourselves and to make our friends laugh.” He recounted a moment before going on stage for their fourth set when a friend offered them some high-quality Lebanese hash. After indulging in a couple of tokes, they returned to tune up for their final set, leading Tom to remark, ‘Man, I’m one toke over the line,’ much to Brewer’s amusement.
In addition to the success of “One Toke Over the Line,” Brewer & Shipley achieved further recognition on the Billboard Hot 100 with their songs “Tarkio Road,” peaking at No. 55 in 1970, and “Shake Off the Demon,” which claimed the No. 98 position in 1972. Despite their disbandment in 1980, the duo regrouped for a special performance in Kansas City, followed by reunion shows in 1987. Subsequently, they established their production company, One Toke Productions, through which they continued to write and record music, resulting in the release of two CDs.
Maintaining a collaborative spirit, Brewer & Shipley persisted in performing together, with Brewer pursuing solo projects as well. His solo discography includes albums such as 1983’s “Beauty Lies,” produced by Dan Fogelberg, 2004’s “Michael Brewer/Retro Man,” 2010’s “It Is What It Is,” and 2012’s “Dancing with My Shadow.”
The enduring legacy of Brewer & Shipley exemplifies their indelible mark on the music industry, transcending decades and genres. As their journey continues to unfold, their contributions serve as a testament to the power of music to inspire, entertain, and unite audiences across the globe.
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ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Michael Brewer in February 1973
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