Mike Brewer and Tom Shipley, a duo from California, initially pursued solo careers in the 1960s Los Angeles folk scene before joining forces. Their debut album, Down in L.A., included the hit song "Keeper of the Seven Keys" and was followed by the well-received Weeds featuring guest appearances by Jerry Garcia, Mike Bloomfield, and Nicky Hopkins. Despite scoring a Top Ten hit with "One Toke Over the Line" in 1971, Brewer and Shipley's popularity waned, leading to their dissolution in 1979. They briefly reunited in 1989 for a concert and sporadic tours before releasing new albums in the mid-1990s. Mike Brewer passed away in 2024 at the age of 80.

California duo Mike Brewer and Tom Shipley first gained recognition in the 1960s folk scene before achieving success with hits like "One Toke Over the Line." After relocating to Missouri in the 1970s, their partnership dissolved, only to reunite briefly in 1989 for a concert and occasional tours. Their later albums, Shanghai and Heartland, marked a return to the music scene after almost two decades. Mike Brewer's death in 2024 marked the end of an era for the influential duo.