The Black History of No Doubt 🖤🤍
In 1986, Eric Stefani and John Spence met and bonded over their love of the anti-racist UK ska movement while working at their local Dairy Queen.
With John on lead vocals and Eric on keyboard, they formed Apple Core. Which was later changed to No Doubt after Spence’s frequent use of the term became an inside joke for the group.
John Spence (Traci Vicars Brown)
This catchphrase also spawned an early track of the same name with Eric’s little sister Gwen Stefani and John Spence on vocals.
Gwen Stefani and John Spence (Traci Vicars Brown)
Spence was most notably known amongst early No Doubt fans for his infectious energy and on-stage back flips. Wherever Spence went, the rowdy youth of Orange County followed.
In the lead up to one of their biggest shows yet, the members of No Doubt were blindsided at the news of Spence’s untimely death.
On December 21st, 1987, John Spence had passed from a self inflicted gun wound at just 18 years old.
The band was devastated and played their show at the Roxy as a final goodbye, not only to John, but to the band he had co-created.
Early No Doubt Lineup Featuring John Spence
However, after deep thought and a break from the music, they ultimately decided that in the spirit of John and his love for music, that they’d continue on. Their first song without Spence being a tribute titled “Dear John”
“You're singin' in a band with a mic on in your hand
The way that you would sing really made me feel all grand
You left your friends alone, right upon this earth
I wish you would've seen how much life was worth…”
John Spence (Eric Keyes)
With Gwen Stefani still too timid to take over full time, trumpet player Alan Meade stepped up to take the space John Spence had once occupied.
Like Spence, Meade became quickly know for his amazing stage presence and spirit. With Meade and time, Gwen Stefani began to break out of her shell.
Alan Meade and Gwen Stefani
Although often mistaken for Spence in images and videos of live performances, Meade was so much more than simply a “replacement” for Spence.
Much of Gwen’s later vocalizations are adaptions of Meade’s choices in demo tapes of songs such as “Boucing Shoes”, “Get A Life”, and “Doormat” to name a few.
Another black performer that deeply influenced Gwen’s vocal style was ska icon and lead singer of The Selecter, Pauline Black
Pauline Black of The Selecter
Alan Meade’s time as the lead singer of No Doubt was short lived as the news of his then girlfriend’s teen pregnancy in 1988 led to his departure. He left the group to focus on his family, yet would regularly make surprise appearances at their shows and perform with them for a song or two.
The members of No Doubt and Alan Meade have stayed connected throughout the years and he eventually went on to join members of Save Ferris in the creation of a new ska group known as Starpool.
Gwen Stefani and Alan Meade during the Tragic Kingdom Era
In the early 90’s, Gabrial McNair and Stephen Bradley would join No Doubt as backing vocals and the “horn section” of the final lineup.
McNair and Bradley, often seen as a team, have maintained their musical relationship with Stefani the longest out of all the other members of No Doubt.
1998 MTV Music Video Awards
Being a part of her backing artists since the early 90’s with No Doubt and through all of her solo efforts as well.
The pair still performs with her to this day and are often not included in descriptions of No Doubt’s lineup, but all fans know that they are just as vital as the rest of them to the band’s massive success.
Gabrial McNair has also toured with Green Day, co-founded Olso in 2005, composed music for film & TV, and worked with multiple artists in-studio.
Stephen Bradley too has toured with Green Day, Smashing Pumpkins, and Steel Pulse. He has also released solo work and is a talented photographer/videographer as well.
‘Rock Steady’ Jamaica Recording Sessions Crew
For their fifth album, Rock Steady, the band desired a Jamaican dance hall inspired sound, collaborating with numerous local artists/legends.
Including Bounty Killer, Lady Saw, Sly Dunbar, and Robbie Shakespeare (Sly & Robbie), to name a few.
This also marked the beginning of a lifelong musical partnership and friendship between Pharrell Williams (of The Neptunes at the time) and Gwen Stefani.
Gwen Stefani & Pharrell Williams for Vibe Magazine 2005 (Albert Watson)
In addition to the impressive list of collaborators on Rock Steady, the band also worked with one of Stefani’s greatest inspirations and favorite artist, Prince.
In the same year, she got to return the favor and provide backing vocals on his 2001 track “So Far, So Pleased”
“He was such a genius that you can’t believe he existed. I was onstage with No Doubt in Minneapolis in the Nineties, and I saw his silhouette in the audience. I was like, ‘How is this happening?’”
Gwen Stefani on Prince, Rolling Stone Magazine 2016
Since the band’s initial breakup, Stefani has collaborated with artists like Eve, Dr. Dre, Saweetie, Fetty Wap, Slim Thug, Andre 3000, Snoop Dogg, Akon, and most recently Shenseea on Sean Paul’s “Light My Fire”
Without the insurmountable talent of all of the artists covered in this post, No Doubt would not be the band it is today. The influence Black musicians have had on members of the band (of all racial backgrounds) is evident in their discography and should be recognized.
I wrote this post in hopes of highlighting the often forgotten side of No Doubt and to celebrate Black History Month, but every month is a good month to recognize Black excellence :) Thanks for reading!
