Before They Were Soap Stars: Drake Hogestyn As A Singing Cowboy

When Drake Hogestyn joined Days of our Lives, and John Black first arrived in Salem, he had no idea who he was. For a few years there, he – and the rest of Salem – thought he was Roman Brady. Nope. Then, for a while, he was an Alamain. Then a Brady and a DiMera.

Before They Were Soap Stars: Drake Hogestyn

There was also Robo-John, and John the loving father, stepfather, grandfather, and, of course, husband to his Doc. At this point, John Black is just John Black. But is he…a singing cowboy?

Back to the Past

Drake Hogestyn made his daytime debut in January of 1986, the mysterious figure beneath the bandages. But, from September of 1982 to March of 1983, he was Brian McFadden, the second oldest son of a wholesome ranching family on the primetime series, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers.

Have We Met?

Are you familiar with the 1954 MGM musical, starring Howard Keel (Dallas’s Clayton) and Russ Tamblyn (father of former General Hospital starlet, Amber Tamblyn)? Well, the 1980s TV series was based on the same premise. Only, you know, with less kidnapping of women and holding them hostage all winter long in a snowed-in cabin.

Up To Date

In the modern version, also starring Richard Dean Anderson (ex-Jeff Webber; GH), Peter Horton from Thirtysomething, and a teeny, tiny adorable teen idol to be, River Phoenix, the oldest brother gets married and brings his new bride home to the house he shares with his less than civilized siblings. The other six do not then go into town and get themselves some women against said women’s will. They simply…continue dating.

Drake Hogestyn: But That’s Not All

They also sing. And dance. And ride horses. And wear cowboy hats. And then sing and dance some more. The entire Seven Brides For Seven Brothers pilot is available online, but this clip really shows off Drake Hogestyn’s patented angry smoldering!

Days of our Lives (DOOL) airs weekdays on NBC. Check your local listings for airtimes. For more about what’s coming up in Salem, check out all the latest that’s been posted on DAYS spoilers, and for an in-depth look at the show’s history, click here.