The Doobie Brothers – 50th Anniversary Tour – Sydney 2023
The Doobie Brothers are an American rock band that formed in San Jose, California in 1970. The band’s early music was rooted in rock and roll, blues, and folk music, but their sound evolved to incorporate elements of soul, funk, and country. The band is known for hits such as “Listen to the Music,” “China Grove,” “Black Water,” and “What a Fool Believes,” among others. The Doobie Brothers have sold over 40 million records worldwide and have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The band’s current lineup includes founding members Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons, as well as longtime member John McFee.
Michael McDonald joined the Doobie Brothers as a singer, keyboardist, and songwriter in 1975, after the departure of founding member Tom Johnston. McDonald brought a soulful sound to the band’s music, and his distinctive vocals and songwriting became an integral part of the Doobie Brothers’ sound. Some of the band’s biggest hits from this period, such as “What a Fool Believes,” “Minute by Minute,” and “Takin’ It to the Streets,” feature McDonald’s contributions. McDonald left the Doobie Brothers in 1982 to pursue a solo career, but he continued to collaborate with the band on various occasions, including on their 1989 album “Cycles” and on their 1996 reunion tour. In 2020, McDonald rejoined the Doobie Brothers for their 50th anniversary tour, which was postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Doobie Brothers are a multi-instrumental band and play a variety of instruments to create their unique sound. Here are some of the instruments commonly played by the Doobie Brothers:
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- Guitar (acoustic and electric)
- Bass guitar
- Drums
- Keyboards (piano, organ, synthesizers)
- Harmonica
- Saxophone
- Trumpet
- Trombone
Percussion instruments (such as congas, bongos, tambourine, and cowbell)
Different band members play different instruments, and the band has had various lineups over the years, but this is a general overview of the instruments commonly used by the Doobie Brothers.
Tom Johnston, one of the founding members of the Doobie Brothers, is primarily a guitarist and vocalist. He played lead and rhythm guitar, as well as providing lead and backing vocals on many of the band’s songs. Johnston also contributed to the band’s songwriting and is credited with writing some of their biggest hits, including “Listen to the Music,” “Long Train Runnin’,” and “China Grove.” In addition to guitar and vocals, Johnston also played harmonica on some of the band’s recordings. Tom Johnston plays both lead and rhythm guitar with the Doobie Brothers. He is primarily a guitarist and vocalist and has played lead guitar on many of the band’s songs, including their early hits such as “Listen to the Music,” “China Grove,” and “Long Train Runnin’.” Johnston’s guitar work is known for its bluesy and rock-oriented style, which has been a key part of the Doobie Brothers’ sound. He also plays rhythm guitar on many of the band’s songs, helping to create the driving rhythms that are a hallmark of their music.
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Patrick Simmons, another founding member of the Doobie Brothers, is a multi-instrumentalist who plays several instruments. His primary instrument is guitar, and he is known for his fingerpicking style and slide guitar work. Simmons also plays other stringed instruments, such as banjo, mandolin, and bass guitar. In addition to his instrumental abilities, Simmons is also a skilled vocalist and has contributed lead and backing vocals to many of the Doobie Brothers’ songs. Simmons has also written and co-written several of the band’s songs, including “South City Midnight Lady” and “Black Water.” Patrick Simmons plays both lead and rhythm guitar with the Doobie Brothers. He is known for his fingerpicking style and slide guitar work, and he has played lead guitar on some of the band’s songs, such as “Black Water” and “South City Midnight Lady.” Simmons also plays rhythm guitar, which provides the foundation of the band’s sound, on many of the Doobie Brothers’ songs. His guitar work is an integral part of the band’s signature sound, and he is regarded as one of the band’s most versatile musicians.
John McFee is a multi-instrumentalist who has played several instruments with the Doobie Brothers over the years. He joined the band in the late 1970s and has been a member on and off since then. Here are some of the instruments he has played with the Doobie Brothers:
- Guitar (acoustic and electric)
- Pedal steel guitar
- Violin
- Harmonica
- Dobro
- Mandolin
- Saxophone
- Keyboards
McFee is known for his versatile playing style and has contributed to the band’s sound with his instrumental abilities, as well as his songwriting and vocal harmonies. He has also played with other notable musicians, such as Elvis Costello, Van Morrison, and Steve Miller.
The Doobie Brothers currently do not have a full-time saxophone player in their touring lineup. However, on their 50th anniversary tour in 2021, they had a guest saxophonist, Marc Russo, who has also played with the band in the past. Russo is a highly regarded saxophonist who is known for his work with the band Yellowjackets and for his collaborations with many other musicians.
The number of guitars used at a Doobie Brothers gig can vary depending on the particular show and the song arrangements. Generally, the band has at least two guitarists on stage, with one playing rhythm guitar and the other playing lead guitar. Sometimes, there may be additional guitarists, such as a third guitarist or a guest musician, depending on the requirements of the particular songs being played. In addition to guitars, the band also incorporates other instruments such as keyboards, saxophone, and harmonica into their performances.
