Doobie Brothers – Biography, Songs, Albums, Discography & Facts

Doobie Brothers Biography

The Doobie Brothers are a 1970s American rock band from San Jose, California, notable for their versatility in performing across multiple genres and vocal harmonies. The group’s current lineup includes founding members Tom Johnston (guitars, vocals) and Patrick Simmons (guitars, vocals), as well as Michael McDonald (keyboards, vocals) and John McFee (guitars, pedal steel, violin, backing vocals), and touring musicians including John Cowan (bass, vocals), Marc Russo (saxophones), Ed Toth (drums), and Marc Quiones (percussion) (percussion). Other long-serving band members include guitarist Jeff “Skunk” Baxter (1974-1979), bassist Tiran Porter (1972-1980, 1987-1992), and drummers John Hartman (1970-1979, 1987-1992), Michael Hossack (1971-1973, 1987-2012), and Keith Knudsen (1973–1982, 1993–2005). They performed gospel influenced songs such as “Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While)” and “Jesus is Just Alright”.

From 1970 through 1975, Johnston sang lead vocals for the band, which had a popular rock style with elements of folk, country, and R&B. Michael McDonald joined the band in 1975 as a keyboard player and second lead vocalist to relieve Johnston, who was ailing at the time. McDonald’s love in soul music introduced the band to a new sound. Johnston and McDonald collaborated as co-lead vocalists on one album, Takin’ It to the Streets, before Johnston officially retired in 1977. The rest of the 1970s saw frequent lineup changes, and the band broke up in 1982, with Simmons being the only continuous member who performed on all of their albums. From 1970 through 1975, Johnston sang lead vocals for the band, which had a popular rock style with elements of folk, country, and R&B. Michael McDonald joined the band in 1975 as a keyboard player and second lead vocalist to relieve Johnston, who was ailing at the time. McDonald’s love in soul music introduced the band to a new sound. Johnston and McDonald collaborated as co-lead vocalists on one album, Takin’ It to the Streets, before Johnston officially retired in 1977. The rest of the 1970s saw frequent lineup changes, and the band broke up in 1982, with Simmons being the only continuous member who performed on all of their albums.

Six live albums and multiple greatest hits compilations have been published by the band, including 1976’s Best of The Doobies, which was certified diamond by the RIAA for selling ten million copies and is the band’s best-selling album. “Listen to the Music,” “Jesus is Just Alright,” “Long Train Runnin’,” “China Grove,” “Black Water” (#1 in 1974), “Takin’ It to the Streets,” “What A Fool Believes” (#1 in 1979), and “The Doctor” are among the band’s sixteen Billboard Hot 100 top-40 successes.

The Doobie Brothers were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on November 7, 2020, and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004. The band has sold over 40 million albums worldwide.

Liberté, the band’s fifteenth full-length studio album and first album of original material in 11 years, was released on October 29th, 2021. The album’s tunes were all co-written with John Shanks. Shanks’ credits include collaborations with Bon Jovi, Sheryl Crow, and Melissa Etheridge, to name a few.

John Hartman, the original drummer, died on December 29, 2021. In September 2022, the band paid respect to him on their website. Chet McCracken, a former drummer, died on February 11, 2022.

Doobie Brothers Discography

CyclesSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
One Step CloserSpotifyAppleYouTube
Minute by MinuteSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Livin’ on the Fault LineSpotifyAppleYouTube
Takin’ It to the StreetsSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
StampedeSpotifyAppleYouTube
What Were Once Vices Are Now HabitsSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
The Captain and MeSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Toulouse StreetSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
The Doobie BrothersAppleYouTubeAmazon

Top Videos

Frequently Asked Questions

Doobie Brothers?

The Doobie Brothers are an American rock band from San Jose, California. The group’s history can be traced back to 1969, when brothers Tom (lead vocals and guitar) and John (drums) Hartman, along with Pat Simmons (guitar and vocals), Dave Shogren (bass), and Tiran Porter (bass and vocals), formed the band.

What Is The Doobie Brothers Most Popular Song?

The Doobie Brothers are an American rock band best known for their hits “Listen to the Music,” “Black Water,” and “Takin’ It to the Streets.” Formed in San Francisco in 1970, they have sold more than 40 million albums worldwide.

What Was The Doobie Brothers First Number One Hit?

The Doobie Brothers first number one hit was “Black Water.” The song peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1975.

Most Searched For Doobie Brothers Songs

Listen to the Music SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Long Train Runnin SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
What a Fool Believes SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
China Grove SpotifyAppleYouTube
Black Water SpotifyAppleYouTube
Minute by Minute SpotifyAppleYouTube
Takin’ It to the Streets SpotifyAppleYouTube
Another Park, Another Sunday Spotify
The Doctor SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Jesus Is Just Alright with Me – 2007 Remaster SpotifyAppleYouTube