After serving briefly in the Navy in the Drum and Bugle Corps, Douglas began his musical career recording and touring with Duane Eddy in the 1950s. Extensive session work followed; not only did Douglas have a lengthy association with Phil Spector and the Wrecking Crew, but he appeared on countless surf and hot rod recordings with everyone from the Beach Boys (on the landmark Pet Sounds) and Jan and Dean to many faceless studio bands, created to capitalise on the craze with a quick album or single.

The 1970s and 1980s saw Douglas performing with Bob Dylan, Mink Deville, Mickey Hart, Ry Cooder and even the Ramones on the Phil Spector production End of the Century. He died while warming up for a Ry Cooder session and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.