Iconic folk rock singer known for hit song One Toke Over the Line dies at 80 after three-year health battle

Michael Brewer of the folk rock tandem Brewer & Shipley, best known for the single One Toke Over the Line, has died at 80.

Brewer's musical partner Tom Shipley, 83, announced on Facebook news of the singer-songwriter's passing Tuesday, after a three-year health battle.

'My friend of 65 years and music partner for over 60, had to go,' Shipley said, adding that he had seen last seen him at Cox Medical Center Branson in Branson, Missouri December 14.

Shipley said: 'He told me he wanted to go home. He was weak and very tired. They took him home on Sunday and his wife Scarlett called this morning to tell me he was gone.

'So tonight I will raise a glass to Michael and drink to all those years, all those miles, all those songs, and all the heavenly audiences we played for.'

Shipley wrapped up the emotional post in saying, 'Go with God my [friend]. I'll see you on the other side.'

An obit posted on the band's Facebook page noted that Brewer 'battled multiple illnesses for the past 3 years.'

Brewer & Shipley had their most success during the turbulent American years of the late-1960s/early-1970s amid changing times and the Vietnam War.

One Toke Over The Line, which came out in March of 1971, contained timely references to the era of free love, and marijuana use.

'One Toke Over The Line was mentioned in the first chapter of Hunter S. Thompson's novel Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,' the group's Facebook page read. 'It has been utilized in several movies,' including Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas and St. Vincent, as well as the video game Grand Theft Auto IV. 

Brewer, speaking with NPR's A Breath of Fresh Air in February of 2022, said the concept for the track, which was the tandem's only Top 40 single, emanated from a pot-infused joke.

'We wrote it literally entertaining ourselves and to make our friends laugh,' Brewer said. 'We were getting ready to go onstage for our fourth set, and a friend came by with some really good Lebanese hash.

'We stepped out back and took a couple of tokes and came back in to tune up for our last set, and Tom said, "Man, I'm one toke over the line." And I just cracked up.'

Brewer's official cause of death had not been announced as of Monday, People reported.

Brewer, who was born in Oklahoma City on April 14, 1944, immediately began playing music while a high school student, both singing and drumming in a rock band. After he graduated in 1962, Brewer performed at coffee houses around the country, crossing paths with Shipley in Kent, Ohio.

In 1965, Brewer and singer-songwriter Tom Mastin began performing as Mastin & Brewer and inked a deal with Columbia Records, moving to Los Angeles. After Mastin departed the group prior to creating their debut album, Brewer commenced working with Shipley, writing tracks for A&M Records.

The tandem also had a pair of singles land in the Billboard Hot 100: 1970's Tarkio Road, which peaked at No. 55; and 1972's Shake Off the Demon, which charted at number 98.

The group's work has been covered by artists such as David Lee Roth, The Byrds and the late John Denver, the Facebook obit read, and they had appeared on TV shows such as The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and The Dick Cavett Show.

The musical pair split up in 1980, but reunited for shows in 1987.

Brewer's solo catalogue consisted of records such as Beauty Lies (1983), Michael Brewer/Retro Man (2004), It Is What It Is (2010) and Dancing with My Shadow (2012).

According to an online obit, Brewer is survived by wife Scarlett Cameron, daughters, Carrie Smith and Sarah Brewer; Cameron's daughters Tara Cameron Winker and Suzy Cameron and niece Leigh Bodenheimer; and several grandchildren.