Doobie Brothers drummer Michael Hossack dies at 65

(CBS/AP) Longtime Doobie Brothers drummer Michael Hossack has died. He was 65.

The band's manager, Bruce Cohn, said in a statement that Hossack died of cancer on Monday in his home in Dubois, Wyo., with his family by his side.

Hossack played with the group from 1971 to 1973 and rejoined in 1987. His drumming can be heard on early hits including "Listen to the Music," "China Grove" and "Blackwater."

He stopped performing with the band two years ago while struggling with cancer.

Doobie Brothers co-founder Tom Johnston said, "Mike has always been a part of my musical life and the life of the Doobie Brothers ... He was an incredible musician."

Hossack served in the Navy during the Vietnam War. In recent years, Hossack spent time with his family, as well as hunting, fishing and riding his Harley-Davidson.

The New Jersey native started playing drums at the age of 12 in the Little Falls Cadets, a Boy Scout Drum and Bugle Corp.

"People always ask me if it's hard to play with another drummer," Hossack explained in his bio on the Doobie Brothers website. "I tell them that after playing along with up to twelve other drummers at once in the drum corps, this is a snap!"

He is survived by a son and daughter.