Latest news with #DoobieBrothers
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Doobie Brothers Rocker, 73, Questions His Future With the Band
Doobie Brothers Rocker, 73, Questions His Future With the Band originally appeared on Parade. If you're a fan of the Doobie Brothers, then you already know Michael McDonald's history with the band is complicated, at best. Not because there's any bad blood, but because the timeline is a bit all over the place. So, let's break it down: McDonald, 73, joined the band in 1975 as a temporary replacement for Tom Johnston, who was struggling with health issues. He quickly became a key member, shaping their sound with his soulful vocals. McDonald stayed through their peak years before leaving in 1982 when the band initially disbanded. Over the years, he's rejoined for reunions and tours, including the recent 50th anniversary celebrations, maintaining a lasting connection with the group. 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 When McDonald originally joined the band, the lineup was Johnston, Patrick Simmons, John Hartman, and Tiran Porter, among others. As of July 2025, the lineup is Simmons, 76, Johnston, 76, McDonald, and John McFee. Currently, the Doobie Brothers are touring across the U.S. and Europe on their Walk This Road tour. Earlier this summer, they also released their new album, Walk This Road. McDonald, of course, couldn't be happier to be back in the fold. "I always missed being a Doobie Brother in all the years [I was gone]. I was fortunate as a solo artist to have some songs get on the radio and be able to tour with my own band for many years. We played all over the world. It's not that I didn't enjoy every minute of that, and playing with those guys. Because I was lucky to have some wonderful musicians in my solo band, but it's not that I didn't miss being a Doobie Brother, because I always did,' McDonald told Ultimate Classic Rock in a recent interview. As for his future with the Doobie Brothers, that's still unwritten! But he's 100 percent along for the ride. "I knew it would be hard for me to resist whatever was next. They're even talking about tour dates in 2026 and my only question with that is, 'Will I still be alive?' You know, I hope so. Because for us, what they pay us to do is get on the bus and sleep on a bus, bounce down the road and eat the terrible breakfast at the Hampton Inn, you know. But what we do on stage, we would do for free, you know?' he explained. 'And that's what we live for out here, and that's why we live this lifestyle, is to get that hour and a half on stage with an audience that at this point in our career, some of those people have been coming to see us for 50 years, and there's nothing better than that. Every time we play these songs that we would have been sick of 30 years ago, at least, when we're up there in front of the audience in that moment, with that audience on that night [and] in that moment, it's almost like the first time we ever did the song. It never gets old, so we're grateful for that,' McDonald concluded. Doobie Brothers Rocker, 73, Questions His Future With the Band first appeared on Parade on Jul 12, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 12, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Doobie Brothers Rocker, 76, Gives Fans Exclusive Glimpse Backstage on Tour
Doobie Brothers Rocker, 76, Gives Fans Exclusive Glimpse Backstage on Tour originally appeared on Parade. The iconic 70s rock band The Doobie Brothers are currently on tour — and founding guitarist Patrick Simmons gave fans an exclusive glimpse backstage at their latest stop, the Co-Op Live in Manchester, England. The band played the venue on July 15, and that day, they took to their Instagram stories to share a video of Simmons, 76, walking around backstage before posing with a drawn version of himself featured on a poster for this particular show on the band's current tour, titled the 'Walk the Road' tour. In the video, Simmons — who plays guitar and banjo, as well as providing vocals, for the group — can be seen smiling and making silly faces as he poses for what appears to be some photos. He even took his round glasses off for some shots to better match his drawn counterpart, who features on the poster without spectacles like Simmons sometimes wears. The Doobie Brothers are currently on tour in Europe, traversing the United Kingdom and Ireland for another week before bringing the tour back home stateside for August and most of September. Their next gig will take place in Birmingham, England at the PB Pulse Live Arena on July 17 and their last scheduled date on their website is at the Budweiser Stage in Toronto, Canada on September 18. The band was formed in San Jose, California in 1970 with an original lineup of Tom Johnston, Patrick Simmons, John Hartman, and Dave Shogren. In 1975, Michael McDonald joined the group to sub in for Johnston while he was dealing with health issues — but McDonald, 73, ended up being a key component who would stick with the band until 1982. He returned to the band in 2019 and is playing on the tour alongside Simmons, Johnston, 76, and John McFee. The band released their latest album, Walk the Road, early last month. Doobie Brothers Rocker, 76, Gives Fans Exclusive Glimpse Backstage on Tour first appeared on Parade on Jul 15, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 15, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rock Legends Honor the Late Jimmy Buffett On Tour Opening Night
Rock Legends Honor the Late Jimmy Buffett On Tour Opening Night originally appeared on Parade. The Doobie Brothers are back on tour, and they're paying tribute to the late Jimmy Buffett with some very special tour guests! The iconic 1970s rock band opened their Walk This Road Tour's North American leg at the Pine Knob Music Theatre in Detroit on Monday, August 5, 2025, with the help of the legendary singer-songwriter's Coral Reefer Band. This is the first time the late musician's band is touring since his death in 2023. "We have the privilege of continuing the party Mr. Jimmy Buffett started some decades ago," The Coral Reefer Band's emcee Mac McAnally, who was a close friend and collaborator of Buffett, told the crowd, according to Ultimate Classic Rock. "Nobody in the world's gonna replace Jimmy Buffett. We're just gonna honor him." Related: They paid respect to the island rock musician by leaving an empty guitar stand sitting center stage while his longtime collaborator, songwriter Scotty Emerick, joined McAnally, Will Kimbrough, and Nadirah Shakoor in sharing lead vocals. Also participating were Mick Utley (who took his retired father Mike's spot on keyboards), drummer Robert Greenidge, and on Crosby, Stills & Nash's song "Southern Cross," guitarist Peter Mayer. The group played 70 minutes of Buffett's most beloved hits, including "License to Chill," "Cheeseburger in Paradise," "Fins," "Come Monday," "Son of a Son of a Sailor," "A Pirate Looks at Forty," and "Margaritaville." The legend himself appeared onscreen briefly in a video chatting with McAnally during a concert, but the band overall kept the mood light and fun for their carefree Parrothead fans. As for The Doobie Brothers, they pulled out all the stops for their 90-minute set. The lineup featured founding members Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons, along with Michael McDonald on keyboards, John McFee on guitar, and Marc Russo on saxophone. They played lots of fan-favorite jams, including "Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While)," "Minute By Minute," "Call Me," "Black Water," "Amazing Grace" (instrumental)/ "Takin' It to the Streets," and "Listen to the Music." They even did an extended version of "Dependin' on You." The Walk This Road Tour runs until September 18th, 2025. Rock Legends Honor the Late Jimmy Buffett On Tour Opening Night first appeared on Parade on Aug 5, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 5, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
USA Today
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Michael McDonald to join Doobie Brothers on new tour
The Doobie Brothers are headed back on the road. The band will launch its Walk This Road tour of North America on Aug. 4, celebrating a reunion for the ages. The tour comes on the heels of the June release of their "Walk This Road" album, a reunion for the legendary lineup of Patrick Simmons, Tom Johnston, John McFee and Michael McDonald. It's the first-ever studio album featuring all four principals – and the first in 40 years featuring McDonald, who returned to record with the band. The album, which has received rave reviews from critics, features throwback moments and cameos from the likes of Mavis Staples (on the fiery title track) and Mick Fleetwood. It "has something for everyone — honky-tonk, driving country, flirty Southern pop, moody folk and melodic rock," critics at the Associated Press wrote. Doobie Brothers celebrate new album with intimate, feel-good concert "Walk This Road" was recorded in the winter of 2024 with producer John Shanks and showcases the band members' songwriting process. All three of the songwriting members of the band worked individually with Shanks, bringing their own vibes to the trusted producer and then leaving it to him to meld everything into a cohesive work. The Doobies are in the midst of a whirlwind year, having recently returned from a July tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland and notching a spot in the Songwriters Hall of Fame on June 12. The group is already in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. "It's a big deal both times," Johnston told The Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network. "The people you grew up listening to, the people that affected your music, kind of gave you direction that you latched onto, they're all in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame." "It's really gratifying to be brought in," he added. "At the same time, it's a little humbling, or maybe a lot humbling." Doobie Brothers on new album, tour, hall of fame: 'You have to think beyond your age' As for the European leg of the tour, Johnson said the group had "a good time." "The crowds were extremely responsive. We've been in Europe a lot of times, but you never know when you leave the country, pushing a new album. It's kind of amazing how people are responding to this – the response has been killer," he continued. "I couldn't hope for a better outcome." That said, he and the other Doobies are excited to return to the U.S., saying specifically of their Detroit show: "We end up there about once a year … We've been playing Pine Knob since, like, 1973 – I mean back in the days when (the) crab shack was still in business, and the Hilton out there, both of which are long gone." Along with all the classic hits, Johnston said the Doobies are including four songs from the new album on the current tour. "That's something we never do," he said. "Having people respond the way they are tells me that they know what they're listening to, that they've heard it. That's huge. That's a big deal."
The Sun
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
ELO star Jeff Lynne issues health update after cancelling huge farewell gig in Hyde Park
ELO frontman Jeff Lynne has given a health update a week after his band's farewell gig at BST was cancelled. The 77-year-old musician was taken ill just minutes before his band were due to take the stage in Manchester last Friday and it led to the Sunday show in London being pulled. 3 Now, Jeff has issued a statement on Instagram, telling fans: "I am now at home recuperating. "I was absolutely gutted to have to cancel the final two shows. "I send my heartfelt thanks to all of the fans as well as my band and crew for all their support and love." Fans continued to share their well wishes. One commented: "We love you, Jeff! Get well soon." Another said: "I hope you get better soon, Jeff. I just wanted to let you know that apologies are not needed. Your music has been the soundtrack to my life from the 60s to the present day. Thank you for the memories." A third posted: "You've dedicated years to the music industry and have given us great memories, music and entertainment through it all, we all love and support you no matter what. Get better soon." Jeff's Electric Light Orchestra were set to headline a stellar day of classic rock in the capital featuring The Doobie Brothers, Steve Winwood and Dhani Harrison. It would have been the culmination of their Over And Out Tour, which began last March. However, he was unable to perform on the advice of doctors following a "systemic infection". A statement from organisers said: "Following the news that Jeff Lynne's ELO will not be able to perform at BST Hyde Park due to medical reasons, Sunday 13 July's event will sadly be cancelled. "Ticket holders will be refunded and contacted directly by their ticket agent with further details." It added: "Tonight's performance marks the final night of an incredible edition of BST Hyde Park and we look forward to seeing everyone next year." It remains uncertain if Jeff and the band will plan another farewell gig in the future. Jeff, who formed ELO in 1970 with Roy Wood, previously said how Hyde Park held a special place in his heart. He said: 'My return to touring began at Hyde Park in 2014. It seems like the perfect place to do our final show. 'We couldn't be more excited to share this special night in London with our UK fans. As the song goes, 'we're gonna do it One More Time!'' Earlier this month, Jeff was forced to play without a guitar in his home city of Birmingham after breaking his hand. He told fans on the night, "nothing would keep me away from you". Last May, the band suffered tragedy when keyboard player Richard Tandy died. Jeff led the tributes for his friend, who first joined the band in 1971, saying: "He was a remarkable musician and friend and I'll cherish the lifetime of memories we had together. "Sending all my love to Sheila and the Tandy family." 3
