The Doobie Brothers are celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2022 with a special tour featuring founding members Tom Johnston and Pat Simmons along with longtime members John McFee and Michael McDonald. This iconic rock band first came together in 1970 and went on to sell over 40 million albums worldwide with hits like “Listen to the Music,” “China Grove,” “Black Water,” “Long Train Runnin’,” and “What a Fool Believes.” After 5 decades of making music, the current lineup of The Doobie Brothers continues to thrill audiences around the world.
Original Band Members
The Doobie Brothers original members in 1970 were Tom Johnston (guitars, vocals), Patrick Simmons (guitars, vocals), Dave Shogren (bass, vocals), and John Hartman (drums). Based in San Jose, California, their rootsy brand of guitar-driven rock showed influences of folk, country, blues, and R&B.
After their self-titled debut album in 1971, Shogren left the band and was replaced by Tiran Porter on bass. In 1972, Michael Hossack joined on drums alongside Hartman, making The Doobie Brothers a two-drummer band. This allowed for more complex percussion rhythms on songs like “Long Train Runnin’.”
Tom Johnston
As a founding member, guitarist/vocalist Tom Johnston wrote many of the band’s earliest hits including “Listen to the Music,” “China Grove,” “Long Train Runnin’,” and “Rockin’ Down the Highway.” His gritty, bluesy vocals and picking style helped define their signature sound. Johnston took a hiatus from the band between 1975-1987.
Patrick Simmons
Guitarist/vocalist Patrick Simmons was essential in bringing folk and country influences to the band’s rock sound. He penned classics like “Black Water” and “South City Midnight Lady.” His fingerpicking skills on acoustic guitar complemented Johnston’s R&B-flavored electric playing. Simmons has remained a constant member throughout the band’s evolution.
Later Additions in the 1970s
The mid-70s saw personnel shifts and additions that pushed The Doobie Brothers into a more jazz and soul-influenced direction.
Jeff “Skunk” Baxter
In 1974, guitarist Jeff “Skunk” Baxter joined after stints with Steely Dan and The Holy Modal Rounders. His pedigree in jazz and rock helped expand the band’s style on albums like Stampede and Takin’ it to the Streets.
Michael McDonald
The most significant change came in 1975 when singer/keyboardist Michael McDonald was brought in to complement Johnston’s departure. His distinctive, soulful vocals and piano playing led the band toward blue-eyed R&B and soft rock. McDonald sang lead on huge hits like “Takin’ it to the Streets,” “It Keeps You Runnin’,” and “What a Fool Believes.”
Keith Knudsen and John Hartman Depart
As the band adopted more of an R&B flavor, drummer John Hartman left to be replaced by Keith Knudsen, who came from the band Southern Pacific. Knudsen joined fellow drummer Michael Hossack in the two-drummer lineup. With producer Ted Templeman, this incarnation of The Doobie Brothers recorded their most commercially successful albums Takin’ it to the Streets (1976) and Minute by Minute (1978) before fracturing at the end of the decade.
Reunions and Alumni Tours in the 1980s-90s
After the breakup in 1982, various combinations of Doobie Brothers alumni toured together sporadically in the 80s and 90s. These included:
Johnston/Simmons/Hartman Reunion
In 1987, Tom Johnston reunited with Patrick Simmons and John Hartman for a tour and live album called Farewell Tour. They were later joined by guitarist John McFee.
Simmons/Baxter/McDonald Tour
In 1992, a Simmons-led lineup with Jeff Baxter and Michael McDonald did a reunion tour and recorded the album Sibling Rivalry.
25th Anniversary Tour
In 1995, the classic Johnston/Simmons/Hartman/Baxter/McDonald lineup toured together to celebrate the band’s 25th anniversary. This culminated in 1996 with shows featuring the full Takin’ it to the Streets-era members, including Keith Knudsen on drums.
2000s Lineup and Present Day
After the alumni reunions of the 90s, The Doobie Brothers settled into a steady lineup in the early 2000s.
Tom Johnston
Founding member Tom Johnston has remained the band’s guitarists, singer, and songwriter.
Patrick Simmons
Simmons has also been a constant presence as guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter.
John McFee
Multi-instrumentalist John McFee joined in 1979, contributing guitar, violin, harmonica, pedal steel, and vocals. He has the longest tenure of any member after Johnston and Simmons.
Michael McDonald
Michael McDonald has periodically participated in Doobie Brothers tours and recorded as a guest vocalist. He regularly joins them for select festival and anniversary shows.
Member | Instrument(s) | Tenure |
---|---|---|
Tom Johnston | Guitar, vocals | 1970-1975, 1987-present |
Patrick Simmons | Guitar, vocals | 1970-1982, 1987-present |
John McFee | Guitar, violin, harmonica, pedal steel, vocals | 1979-1982, 1987-present |
Michael McDonald | Vocals, keyboards | 1975-1982, 1995-1996, tours 1999-present |
John Cowan
In 1993, vocalist/bassist John Cowan joined The Doobie Brothers after a stint with New Grass Revival. He provides vocals and upright bass on tour with the band.
Ed Toth
Drummer Ed Toth came on board in 2005 after years of touring with Vertical Horizon. He brings drive and energy to the drums live in concert with The Doobie Brothers.
Marc Russo
Saxophonist Marc Russo has played with the band since the late 80s. His jazz-flavored sax lines complement their rock and R&B blend.
Tony Pia
Keyboardist/multi-instrumentalist Tony Pia has handled keyboards for The Doobie Brothers since 1999. He’s also played with artists like Brian Wilson, Glen Campbell, and Jose Feliciano.
John Cowan Departs
After nearly 30 years with The Doobie Brothers, bassist/vocalist John Cowan left the band in 2022 prior to their 50th anniversary tour. His warm vocal harmonies and upright bass work were a key part of their live sound since 1993. Founders Johnston and Simmons acknowledged Cowan’s enormous contributions over the years.
50th Anniversary Tour Lineup
The Doobie Brothers’ current lineup for their 2022 50th anniversary tour features these core members:
Member | Instrument(s) |
---|---|
Tom Johnston | Guitar, vocals |
Patrick Simmons | Guitar, vocals |
John McFee | Guitar, violin, harmonica, pedal steel, vocals |
Michael McDonald | Vocals, keyboards |
Ed Toth | Drums |
Marc Russo | Saxophone |
Tony Pia | Keyboards |
They are also joined by additional touring musicians:
Bill Payne
Keyboardist Bill Payne of Little Feat has filled the second keyboard spot on tour, allowing for expanded keys on songs like “Jesus is Just Alright.”
John Cowan
Despite leaving the band prior to this tour, John Cowan has made select appearances to reprise his bass and vocal role for certain concerts.
Jeff Young
Keyboardist Jeff Young has augmented the lineup on some dates playing Hammond B3 organ. He was part of an early 90s Doobie Brothers touring band.
Viktor Krauss
Bassist Viktor Krauss, brother of Alison Krauss, has handled touring bass duties in 2022 following Cowan’s departure from the full-time lineup.
Special Guests
Some stops on The Doobie Brothers anniversary tour have featured special guest artists joining them on stage:
Michael McDonald
As an official member of the touring lineup, Michael McDonald also makes special guest appearances to showcase his unforgettable lead vocals on songs like “Takin’ it to the Streets” and “Minute by Minute.”
Jose Feliciano
At the Hollywood Bowl concert in June 2022, legendary singer/guitarist Jose Feliciano jammed with the band, shredding his classical guitar on “China Grove” and “Listen to the Music.”
Little Feat
Keyboardist Bill Payne’s band Little Feat opened for The Doobie Brothers at select venues on the tour and also joined them during the encore. Other Little Feat members like drummer Richie Hayward have contributed to Doobie Brothers albums over the years.
Toto
At shows in New York and Connecticut in July 2022, several members of Toto including Steve Lukather performed with The Doobie Brothers adding guitar, bass, keys, and vocals to the set.
Lauren Daigle
Grammy winning singer-songwriter Lauren Daigle duetted with Pat Simmons on his song “Arc of Your Life” when they played the New Orleans Jazz Festival in May 2022.
Setlists
Drawing from their deep catalog of hits, The Doobie Brothers’ 2022 tour setlists have spanned different eras and incarnations of the band featuring their signature twin lead vocal sound between Tom Johnston and Pat Simmons.
They’ve included surefire crowd pleasers like “Listen to the Music,” “Jesus Is Just Alright,” “Rockin’ Down the Highway,” “Long Train Runnin’,” “China Grove,” “Black Water,” “Take Me in Your Arms,” and “What a Fool Believes.”
Michael McDonald takes the spotlight on his ’70s era smashes like “Takin’ it to the Streets,” “It Keeps You Runnin’,” “Minute by Minute,” and “Real Love.”
The shows have also mixed in deeper album cuts like Simmons’ “South City Midnight Lady” and Johnston’s “Eyes of Silver.”
Acoustic Set
A highlight of shows has been an acoustic interlude with stripped down versions of songs like “Black Water,” “Spirit,” and “Slack Key Soquel Rag” allowing the band to showcase their instrumentation and harmonies in an intimate setting.
Conclusion
After 50 years of making music together, The Doobie Brothers continue to thrive on tour with incredible musicianship, vintage hits, and one of the most iconic singers in rock history in Michael McDonald. Their 2022 tour celebrates the varied musical eras and lineups that have defined this legendary American band. Against all odds, The Doobie Brothers rock on with Johnston and Simmons at the helm and a timeless catalog of songs that resonate as strongly as ever with fans old and new.