Doobie Brothers
This enduring act evolved from Pud, a San Jose-based trio formed in March 1970 by Tom Johnson (b. Visalia, California, USA; guitar) and John Hartman (b. 18 March 1950, Falls Church, Virginia, USA; drums). Original bassist Greg Murphy was quickly replaced by Dave Shogren (b. San Francisco, California, USA). Patrick Simmons (b. 23 January 1950, Aberdeen, Washington, USA; guitar) then expanded the line-up, and within six months the group had adopted a new name, the Doobie Brothers, in deference to a slang term for a marijuana cigarette. Their muted debut album, although promising, was commercially unsuccessful and contrasted with the unit's tougher live sound. A new bassist, Tiran Porter and second drummer, Michael Hossack (b. 18 September 1950, Paterson, New York, USA), joined the group for TOULOUSE STREET, which spawned the anthem-like (and successful) single, Listen To The Music. This confident selection was a marked improvement on its predecessor, while the twin-guitar and twin-percussionist format inspired comparisons with the Allman Brothers Band. A third set, THE CAPTAIN AND ME, contained two infectious US hits, Long Train Running and China Grove, while WHAT WERE VICES…, a largely disappointing album, did feature the Doobies’ first US chart-topper, Black Water. By this point the group's blend of harmonies and tight rock was proving highly popular, although critics pointed to a lack of invention and a reliance on proven formula. Michael Hossack was replaced by Keith Knudsen (b. 18 October 1952, Ames, Iowa, USA) for STAMPEDE, which also introduced ex- Steely Dan guitarist, Jeff Skunk Baxter (b. 13 December 1948, Washington DC, USA). In April 1975, his former colleague, Michael McDonald, (b. 2 December 1952, St Louis, Missouri, USA; keyboards/vocals) also joined the Doobies when founder member Johnson succumbed to a recurrent ulcer problem. Although the guitarist rejoined the group in 1976, he left again the following year. The arrival of McDonald heralded a new direction. He gradually assumed control of the group's sound, instilling the soul-based perspective revealed on the excellent MINUTE BY MINUTE and its attendant US number 1 single, the ebullient What A Fool Believes. Both Hartman and Baxter then left the line-up, but McDonald's impressive, distinctive voice proved a unifying factor. TAKIN’ IT TO THE STREETS and its titled hit single maintained a high standard. ONE STEP CLOSER featured newcomers John McFee (b. 18 November 1953, Santa Cruz, California, USA; guitar), Cornelius Bumpus (b. 13 January 1952; sax/keyboards) and Chet McCracken (b. 17 July 1952, Seattle, Washington, USA; drums) yet it was arguably the group's most accomplished album. Willie Weeks subsequently replaced Porter, but by 1981 the Doobies’ impetus was waning. They split in October the following year, with McDonald and Simmons embarking on contrasting solo careers. Johnson released a solo album in 1979 EVERYTHING YOU'VE HEARD IS TRUE and a second in 1981, STILL FEELS GOOD TO ME. However, a reformed unit, comprising the TOULOUSE STREET line-up, plus long-time conga player Bobby Lakind, completed a 1989 release, CYCLES, on which traces of their one-time verve are still apparent. They found a similar audience and The Doctor made the US Top 10. In 1993 a remixed version of Long Train Running put them back in the charts, although to many '70s fans the Ben Liebrand production added little to the original classic. The Doobie Brothers remain critically underrated, their track record alone making them one of the major US rock bands of the '70s.