Doobie Brothers

Doobie Brothers 2003: Tom Johnston, Keith Knudsen (1848-2005), Michael Hossack, Skylark, Pat Simmons, John McFee, Guy Allison, Mark Russo

The Doobie Brothers can not only celebrate their 35th Anniversary this year, they are also one of the most famous Bay Area bands. Even though they had multiple line-up changes over the years they managed to become very successful and produce several hit singles, gold and platinum albums.

The Doobie Brothers' story began in San Jose in 1970 when Tom Johnston, Dave Shogren and John Hartman (who all played in a band named Pud) and Pat Simmons from the band Scratch founded the Doobie Brothers and started to record their self titled debut album for Warner Brothers which was released in 1971. As a matter of fact the album didn't sell many copies and when the Doobies recorded their second album "Toulouse Street" Dave Shogren left the band. Tiran Porter who had played with Simmons in Scratch and Michael Hossack were added to the band. With Hartman and Hossack the band had two drummers now, Tom Johnston's songwriting got better and the band created the sound that would make them famous. Subsequently their second album produced their first hit "Listen To The Music" (#11, 1972). "Jesus Is Just Alright" became their second hit the following year (#35, 1973) and provided a good start for their third album.

"The Captain And Me" featured two further hits, i.e. "Long Train Running" (#8, 1973) and "China Grove" (#15, 1973). When Michael Hossack left the band at the end of 1973, Keith Knudsen who had played with Chris Michie in Meldelbaum and in Huey Lewis's Monday Nite Live joined the Doobie Brothers. They recorded their fourth album which gave them their first #1 hit "Black Water" in 1975. They toured the States and the UK and their popularity grew.

"Stampede" was released in 1975 and Jeff Baxter from Steely Dan joined the band on guitar. In addition to the two drummers the band had three guitarists now. Although, Tom Johnston became ill during the US tour and was replaced by Michael McDonald who was also from Steely Dan. Any other band might have had problems with a new musician every year but with the Doobie Brothers it was different as they became better and better. Their following album "Taking It To The Streets" was the first that went platinum.

 Doobie Brothers
1976: K. Knudsen, J. Hartman, T. Johnston, J. Baxter, P. Simmons, M. McDonald, T. Porter

The follow-up album "Livin' On The Fault Line" didn't do much, but their album "Minute By Minute" climbed to #1 and the single "What A Fool Believes" did just the same. Although the band was more successful than ever Hartman and Baxter left the band - probably because the band toured so much. So far the band had released one album every year but it took them two years to release "One Step Closer". New additions to the band were Cornelius Bumpus on keyboards and saxophone and guitarist/singer John McFee who had previously played in Clover - a country rock band that featured other now famous musicians, i.e. Huey Lewis and Sean Hopper from Huey Lewis and the News, Johnny Ciambotti who would play with Lucinda Williams and Alex Call. Clover had been together from 1967 to 1978 and John McFee was a known session player as well and thus a good addition to the Doobie Brothers.

 Although the album "One Step Closer" was a success again (#3, 1980) the band was slowly falling appart. New additions to the band were Bobby LaKind and Chet McCracken but Tiran Porter left the band and subsequently Pat Simmons was the only original band member left. Porter was replaced by Willie Weeks and Michael McDonald and Pat Simmons seemed to concentrate more on their solo projects than the Doobie Brothers. In the end the band played their last concert in October 1981 in Hawaii and would only reunite in 1983 for a farewell tour.

Pictured left: Keith Knudsen, Michael McDonald, John McFee, Willie Weeks, Pat Simmons, Bobby LaKind, Cornelius Bumpus and Chet McCracken.

This wasn't the end of the Doobie Brothers though. In 1987 Tommy Johnston, Pat Simmons, Jeff Baxter, John Hartman, Tiran Porter, Willie Weeks, Michael McDonald, Cornelius Bumpus, Chet McCracken, Keith Knudsen, John McFee, Mike Hossack, and Bobby LaKind reunited for one concert in Las Vegas. After this second reunion the "Toulouse Street" line-up, i.e. Tom Johnston, Pat Simmons, Tiran Porter, John Hartman and Michael Hossack (plus Bobby LaKind) recorded a new Dobbie Brothers' albums, i.e. "Cycles" in 1989 and "Brotherhood" in 1991.

In addition the Doobie Brothers started to tour again and were re-joined by John McFee and Keith Knudsen who both had played in Southern Pacific for some years.

The Doobies recorded a live album in 1996, one more studio album in 2000 and another live album at the end of 2004 - both of the live concerts are available on CD and DVD. One sad point in the Doobie Brothers recent history is the death of Keith Knudsen who died of pneumonia February 8, 2005. Nevertheless, the Doobie Brothers are still touring and keep their vision of music alive. Listen to their music and enjoy!!!

 

Discography:

  • 1971 Doobie Brothers (Warner Bros)
  • 1972 Toulouse Street (Warner Bros)
  • 1973 The Captain And Me (Warner Bros)
  • 1974 What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits (Warner Bros)
  • 1975 Stampede (Warner Bros)
  • 1976 Takin' It To The Streets (Warner Bros)
  • 1977 Livin' On The Fault Line (Warner Bros)
  • 1980 Minute By Minute (Warner Bros)
  • 1980 One Step Closer (Warner Bros)
  • 1983 Farwell Tour (Warner Bros)
  • 1989 Cycles (Capitol Records)
  • 1991 Brotherhood (Capitol Records)
  • 1996 Rockin' Down The Highway (Sony)
  • 2000 Sibling Rivalry (Pyramid/Eagle Records)
  • 2004 Live At Wolf Trap (Sactuary Records)

    Doobie BrothersThe Doobie Brothers
    Doobie Brothers

    (Warner Brothers 1971))
    Nobody -- Slippery St. Paul -- Greenwood Creek -- It Won't Be Right -- Travelin' Man -- Feelin' Down Farther -- The Master -- Growin' A Little Each Day -- Beehive State -- Closer Every Day -- Chicago

    Musicians: Tom Johnston (guitar/piano/harp/vocals); Pat Simmons (guitar/vocals); Dave Shogren (bass/organ/vocals); John Hartman (drums)

    Doobie BrothersToulouse Street
    Doobie Brothers

    (Warner Brothers 1972)
    Listen To The Music -- Rockin' Down The Highway -- Mamaloi -- Toulouse Street -- Cotton Mouth -- Don't Start Me To Talkin' -- Jesus Is Just Alright -- White Sun -- Disciple -- Snake Man

    Musicians: Tom Johnston (guitar/vocals); Pat Simmons (guitar/vocals); Tiran Porter (bass/vocals); John Hartman (drums/percussion); Michael Hossack (drums)

    Doobie BrothersThe Captain And Me
    Doobie Brothers

    (Warner Brothers 1973)
    Natural Thing -- Long Train Runnin' -- China Grove -- Dark Eyed Cajun Woman -- Clear As The Driven Snow -- Without You -- South City Midnight Lady -- Evil Woman -- Busted Down Around O'Connelly Corners -- Ukiah -- The Captain And Me

    Musicians: Tom Johnston (guitar/harmonica/vocals); Pat Simmons (guitars/vocals); John Hartman (drums/percussion/vocals); Tiran Porter (bass/vocals); Michael Hossack (drums/congas/timbales)

    Doobie BrothersWhat Once Were Vices
    Are Now Habits
    Doobie Brothers

    (Warner Brothers 1974)
    Another Park, Another Sunday -- Black Water -- Daughters Of The Sea -- Down In The Track -- Eyes Of Silver -- Flying Cloud -- Pursuit On 53rd Street -- Road Angel -- Song To See You Through -- Spirit -- Tell Me What You Want (And I'll Give You What You Need) -- You Just Can't Stop It)

    Musicians: Tiran Porter (bass/vocals); Pat Simmons (guitars/vocals); John Hartman (drums); Tom Johnston (guitars/vocals); Keith Knudsen (vocals)

    Doobie BrothersStampede
    Doobie Brothers

    (Warner Brothers 1975)
    Sweet Maxine -- Neal's Fandango -- Texas Lullaby -- Music Man -- Slat Key Soquel Rag -- Take Me In Your Arms -- I Cheat The Hangman -- Precis -- Rainy Day Crossroad Blues -- I Been Workin' On You -- Double Dealin' Four Flusher

    Musicians: Tiran Porter (bass/vocals); Tom Johnston (guitars/vocals); John Hartman (drums); Patt Simmons (guitars/vocals); Keith Knudsen (drums/vocals); Jeff Baxter (guitars)

    Doobie BrothersTakin' It To The Streets
    Doobie Brothers

    (Warner Brothers 1976)
    Wheels Of Fortune -- Takin' It To The Streets -- 8th Avenue Shuffle -- Losin' End -- Rio -- For Someone Special -- It Keeps You Runnin' -- Turn It Loose -- Carry Me Away

    Musicians: Tiran Porter (bass/vocals); Jeff "Skunk" Baxter (guitars); Pat Simmons (guitars/vocals); Michael McDonald (keyboards/vocals); John Hartman (drums); Tom Johnston (guitars/vocals); Keith Knudsen (drums/vocals)

    Doobie BrothersLivin' On
    The Fault Line
    Doobie Brothers

    (Warner Brothers 1977)
    You're Made That Way -- Echoes Of Love -- Little Darlin' (I Need You) -- You Belong To Me -- Livin' On The Fault Line -- Nothin' But A Heartache -- Chinatown -- There's A Light -- Need A Lady -- Larry The Logger Two-Step

    Musicians: Keith Knudsen (drums/vocals); John Hartman (drums); Tom Johnston (guitars/vocals); Jeff Baxter (guitars); Pat Simmons (guitars/vocals); Michael McDonald (keyboards/vocals); Tiran Porter (bass/vocals)

    Doobie BrothersMinute By Minute
    Doobie Brothers

    (Warner Brothers 1978)
    Here To Love You -- What A Fool Believes -- Minute By Minute -- Dependin' On You -- Don't Stop To Watch The Wheels -- Open Your Eyes -- Sweet Feelin' -- Steamer Lane Breakdown -- You Never Change -- How Do The Fools Survive

    Musicians: Pat Simmons (guitars/vocals); Michael McDonald (keyboards/vocals); Jeff Baxter (guitars); Tiran Porter (bass/vocals); John Hartman (drums); Keith Knudsen (drums/vocals)

    Doobie BrothersOne Step Closer
    Doobie Brothers

    (Warner Brothers 1980)
    Dedicate This Heart -- Real Love -- Not Stoppin' Us Now -- Thank You Love -- One Step Closer -- Keep This Train A-Rollin' -- Just In Time -- South Bay Strut -- One By One

    Musicians: Pat Simmons (guitars/vocals); Michael McDonald (keyboards/vocals); John McFee (guitars/vocals); Keith Knudsen (drums/vocals); Chet McCracken (drums/vibraphone/marimbas); Tiran Porter (bass); Cornelius Bumpus (sax/organ/vocals)

    Doobie BrothersFarewell Tour
    Doobie Brothers

    (Warner Brothers 1983)
    Slippery St. Paul -- Takin' It To The Streets -- Jesus Is Just Alright -- Minute By Minute -- Can't Let It Get Away -- Listen To The Music -- Echoes Of Love -- What A Fool Believes -- Black Water -- You Belong To Me -- Slat Key Soquel Rag -- Steamer Lane Breakdown -- South City Midnight Lady -- Olana -- Don't Start Me Talkin' -- Long Train Runnin' -- China Grove

    Musicians: Patrick Simmons (guitars/vocals); Michael McDonald (keyboards/synthesizers/vocals); John McFee (guitars/pedal steel/violin/vocals); Keith Knudsen (drums/vocals); Chet McCracken (drums/vibraphone/marimbas); Willie Weeks (bass/vocals); Cornelius Bumpus (saxophone/synthesizer/organ/vocals); Bobby LaKind) (congas/percussion/vocals); Tom Johnston (guitar/vocals on China Grove and Long Train Runnin')

    Out of print.
    Doobie BrothersCycles
    Doobie Brothers

    (Capitol Records 1989)
    The Doctor -- One Chain (Don't Make No Prison) -- Take Me To The Highway -- South Of The Border -- Time Is Here And Gone -- Need A Little Taste Of Love -- I Can Read Your Mind -- Tonight I Am Coming Through (The Border) -- Wrong Number -- Too High A Price

    Musicians: Tom Johnston (guitars/vocals); Pat Simmons (guitars/vocals); Tiran Porter (bass/vocals); John Hartman (drums/vocals); Michael Hossack (drums); Bobby LaKind (percussion/vocals)

    Doobie BrothersBrotherhood
    Doobie Brothers

    (Capitol Records 1991)
    Something You Said -- Is Love Enough -- Dangerous -- Our Love -- Divided Highway -- Under The Spell -- Excited -- This Train I'm On -- Showdown -- Rollin' On

    Musicians: Tom Johnston (guitars/vocals); Pat Simmons (guitars/vocals); Tiran Porter (bass/vocals); John Hartman (drums); Michael Hossack (drums/percussion)

    Doobie BrothersRockin' Down
    The Highway (Live)
    Doobie Brothers

    (Sony 1996)
    CD 1: Dangerous -- Jesus Is Alright -- Take Me In Your Arms -- Slow Burn -- Dependin' On You -- Another Park, Another Sunday -- The Doctor -- Slack Key Soquel Rag -- South City Midnight Lady -- Eyes Of Silver -- Black Water -- Taking It To The Streets

    CD 2: Rockin' Down The Highway -- Minute By Minute -- Wild Ride -- China Grove -- Dark Eyed Cajun Woman -- Neal's Fandango -- Without You -- Clear As The Driven Snow -- Excited -- What A Fool Believes -- Long Train Runnin' -- Listen To The Music

    Musicians: Michael Hossack (drums); Tom Johnston (guitars/vocals); Keith Knudsen (drums/vocals); Michael McDonald (keyboards/vocals); John McFee (guitars/slide guitar/pedal steel/violin/vocals); Patrick Simmons (guitars/vocals)

    Doobie BrothersSibling Rivalry
    Doobie Brothers

    (Pyramid/Eagle Records 2000)
    People Gotta Love Again -- Leave My Heartache Behind -- Ordinary Man -- Jericho -- On Every Corner -- Angles Of Madness -- 45th Floor -- Can't Stand To Lose -- Higher Ground -- Gates Of Eden -- Don't Be Afraid -- Rockin' Horse -- Five Corners

    Musicians: Michael Hossack (drums/percussion); Tom Johnston (guitars/vocals); Keith Knudsen (drums/percussion/vocals); John McFee (guitars/dobro/pedal steel/harmonica/violin/mandolin/vocals); Patrick Simmons (guitars/banjo/vocals)

    Doobie BrothersLive At Wolf Trap
    Doobie Brothers

    (Sanctuary Records 2004)
    Rockin' Down The Highway -- Jesus Is Just Alright -- Dangerous -- Another Park, Another Sunday -- Steamer Lane -- South City Midnight Lady -- Snake Man -- Five Corners -- Rainy Day Crossroad Blues -- Clear As The Driven Snow -- Don't Start Me Talin' -- Take Me In Your Arms -- Little Bitty Pretty One -- Black Water -- Long Train Runnin' -- China Grove -- Listen To The Music

    Musicians: Michael Hossack (drums/percussion); Tom Johnston (guitars/vocals); Keith Knudsen (guitars/vocals); John McFee (guitars/dobro/pedal steel/slide guitar/violin/vocals); Pat Simmons (guitar/vocals)

     

     

    DVDs

    Best ClipsRockin' Down
    The Highway (Live)
    Doobie Brothers

    (Sony 1996)
    Dangerous -- Jesus Is Just Alright -- Rockin' Down the Highway -- Slack Key Soquel Rag (instrumental) -- South City Midnight Lady -- Clear as the Driven Snow -- Excited -- Takin' It To The Streets -- Minute by Minute -- What a Fool Believes -- Black Water -- Neil's Fandango -- Wild Ride -- The Doctor -- Slow Burn -- Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While) -- Without You -- Long Train Runnin' -- China Grove -- Listen to the Music

    DVD includes songs and other footage not available on broadcast television.

    Musicians: Michael Hossack (drums); Tom Johnston (guitars/vocals); Keith Knudsen (drums/vocals); Michael McDonald (keyboards/vocals); John McFee (guitars/slide guitar/pedal steel/violin/vocals); Patrick Simmons (guitars/vocals)

    RockpalastLive At Wolf Trap
    Doobie Brothers

    (Sanctuary Records 2004)
    Rockin' Down The Highway -- Jesus Is Just Alright -- Dangerous -- Another Park, Another Sunday -- People Gotta Love Again -- Spirit -- Steamer Lane -- South City Midnight Lady -- Snake Man -- Nobody -- Five Corners -- Rainy Day Crossroad Blues -- Clear As The Driven Snow -- Neal's Fandango -- Takin' It To The Streets -- Don't Start Me Talkin' -- Take Me In Your Arms -- Little Bitty Pretty One -- Black Water -- Long Train Runnin' -- China Grove -- Without You -- Listen To The Music

    Bonus Features: Interviews

    Best Of Compilations:

       
      

     

    Further Links:

  • Official Doobie Brothers' Website

  • Doobie Brothers' Fan Club

     

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