UPI Photo/Roger Williams /Landov

Musician Michael Hossack died late Monday night at his home in Dubois, Wyoming, at the age of 65. Doobie Brothers’ Manager, Bruce Cohn, released a statement citing the cause was cancer.

Hossack played with the group between 1971 and 1974 as one of two drummers before calling it quits in order to pursue a life outside of music, although he would later go on to form the band Bonaroo a year later. After a series musical ventures and varying amounts of success, Hossack later rejoined the group in 1987 where he remained as their permanent drummer for the remainder of his life.

Born in Paterson, New Jersey, Hossack began playing drums at an early age as a member of the Boy Scouts drum and bugle corps and would later continue similar work during the Vietnam War in the United States Navy.

After being honorably discharged in 1969, Hosseck returned to New Jersey in an attempt to join the local law enforcement, but instead moved to San Francisco after being persuaded by a close friend that he should consider auditioning for the California based band Mourning Reign. After a few lack luster shows with the group, Hossack was invited to play with fellow label mates the Doobie Brothers, hiring him as their drummer soon after.

Along with sharing drumming duties in the Doobie Brothers, Hossack was also part owner of a Southern California based recording studio. He is survived by a son and a daughter.