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USA Today
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Doobie Brothers on new album, tour, hall of fame: 'You have to think beyond your age'
Doobie Brothers on new album, tour, hall of fame: 'You have to think beyond your age' Show Caption Hide Caption Fans of Jimmy Buffett fill the Key West streets at parade in his honor Key West residents and fans of Jimmy Buffett gave the singer-songerwriter a last goodbye with a parade in his honor. Ariana Triggs, Storyful With a new album, tour and impending induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Doobie Brothers are takin' it to the streets like it's 1976. The quartet of Patrick Simmons, Tom Johnston, John McFee and Michael McDonald will hit the road Aug. 4 partially to jam through their 50-plus years of hits such as 'Listen to the Music,' 'Black Water,' 'What a Fool Believes' and 'China Grove,' but also to support their 16th studio album, 'Walk This Road,' out June 6. The album, which features Mavis Staples and Mick Fleetwood, also marks their first with McDonald in the studio in more than 40 years. A bit of nostalgia also colors their upcoming live shows, as the six-week tour will spotlight openers The Coral Reefer Band, the beloved touring and recording outfit of Jimmy Buffett, who died in 2023. Recently, Simmons – from Maui, his home of 30 years – and McDonald – from his 100-year-old hacienda in Santa Barbara, California – talked about the inherent positivity in the new album, the Doobies' history with the Coral Reefer Band and why Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones might end up directing their documentary. The Songwriters Hall of Fame is such a huge honor. What went through your mind when you heard about it? Michael McDonald: To be inducted alongside my friends Pat and Tom means all the more to me. Those were the guys who gave me the opportunity to be recognized as a songwriter. To be recognized with a group of people you've admired all your life is pretty meaningful. Patrick Simmons: It's a little surreal. You never think of yourself as having that credibility. When you're first starting out writing songs you never have confidence in anything and when people start responding to your songs, it's such a kick. You're always in search of the next song. Do you remember the first song you wrote? Simmons: I can't specifically, but it was probably some kind of blues-gospel thing with religious overtones from my Lutheran heritage (laughs). I was 15 and singing it in a coffeehouse while I was doing mostly covers and people politely applauded. You've got another lengthy tour coming up. How do you physically prepare? McDonald: Since I don't do anything, I'll let Pat answer. Simmons: I've got a hill I live on and walk it several times a day and am always working on a project. Not that that counts as calisthenics. But I try to always stay in motion and on the road try to get out and walk every day. We're all in our 70's now. I used to think that was old. I do feel it, but it's hard to believe we're out here doing it at this age, and in my head I'm still 16. You have to think beyond your age. It's a life adventure. What went into the decision to tour with the Coral Reefer Band? Simmons: The concept was more of, who is somebody we can tour with who will be complementary musically and be of interest to the audience. I think everybody went, that's really cool. Were you friends with Jimmy Buffet? Simmons: I would run into him occasionally. We had toured with him for years and years in the '70s. He was such an understated guy. He was always quality. Great playing, great singing, some funny songs with eccentric and esoteric concepts in his music. We got to be friendly with all the guys, so this is coming full circle. With this new album, Michael, how did it feel to be back recording with the guys? McDonald: It's been a while since we did it that way and the technology has changed, for better or worse … The new procedure is interesting. As you're writing the song you're recording it into a file and that is the basis you use for the track even if it's just a feeling. So it's kind of fun to feel like the song hasn't had to morph into something else. Some of my fondest memories of being in the studio are the first time I heard the band play 'Takin' It To the Streets.' I was like, wow! When the band started playing it, it took on a whole new life. The title track features Mavis Staples. What was it like recording with her? McDonald: (Producer) John Shanks came to us and said, "You've been walking this path for 50 years. Let's write about that." It became a broader message and what better ambassador for humanity and with empathy for each other and someone who remembers we're all on this path together than Mavis? That was always the message of (The Staple Singers). It was a thrill, though, when she came into the studio. What's the status on a new Doobie Brothers documentary? Simmons: We're still fumbling around. We have so much film and archives and so much film from 1973, stuff we shot on 16 millimeter and for a whole tour back then. But I think what's happening is we're so mired down in that there are so many documentaries out there so do we want to do this right now? It's almost a little saturated now, so we thought let's put it on the back burner for now. We'll wait 'til we're 90. It can be directed by Keith Richards.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Doobie Brothers in 2025: A tour, a new album and a date with Songwriters Hall of Fame
NEW YORK (AP) — Just cue up the first song from the new album by The Doobie Brothers and you'll hear something unusual: harmony, in a new way. It's not just that soulful blast from Michael McDonald, marking his first time recording with the band in 45 years. Listen and you'll also hear founding member Pat Simmons and original vocalist Tom Johnston. 'Walk This Road' — with the always-welcome addition of Mavis Staples — is a horn-and-slide-guitar slice of bluesy, wailing rock that's also a celebration of a band that has endured changes and re-formed with members now in their 70s. 'Somehow, here we are,' says McDonald. 'We've been friends throughout the years. Our kids have all grown up together and our kids have kind of kept us in contact even at times when we might have dropped off the radar for each other.' Lots of Doobie activity The Doobie Brothers, who formed in 1970 and initially broke up in 1982, have a packed 2025 planned: A European tour that leads to a North American one, the strong new album and inclusion in the Songwriters Hall of Fame. 'I don't think any of us ever even really thought we'd still be on stage at this age doing this, much less together,' says McDonald. 'That we're still able to express ourselves artistically is something that's not lost on us.' The North American tour kicks off in Detroit on Aug. 4 and heads to such cities as New York, Boston, Chicago, Milwaukee, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Minneapolis and Toronto. The opening act will be The Coral Reefer Band. 'Walk This Road' features 10 new songs sung by McDonald, Simmons and Johnston, who collaborated on writing the tracks and play on each other's tunes. Longtime collaborator John McFee also returned for the project. The album, out June 6, has something for everyone — honky-tonk, driving country, flirty Southern pop, moody folk and melodic rock. There are songs about New Orleans and Hawaii. Angels make the lyrics on two songs. 'One of the strengths of our live show was the fact that you couldn't get bored with any one style of music because everything was kind of a different bag,' says McDonald, who officially reunited with the band on tour in 2019. 'We like to do that. You know, I think this album is hopefully no different in that respect.' John Shanks, who produced the band's 2021 album 'Liberté,' returned for 'Walk This Road,' lending them his Los Angeles studio, with a writing room upstairs and a recording booth downstairs where each songwriter took turns cutting tracks. 'The band, I think, presents all of us with an opportunity to do things that we might not do just as individual songwriters,' says McDonald. Inside the album While the Doobies have never been a concept band, the album explores seizing the moments, reflects on paths taken and coming to grips with the past. 'This is a snapshot in time of where the band is and where the writers are,' says Johnston. 'We didn't consciously sit down and say, 'Well, we're going to try and do this.'' One track, "Learn to Let Go," is an unrequited love song that's about letting go of things that hold you back, while 'Speed of Pain' is about how the worst things in life can become the best. 'In many cases, it's just a situation where you have to lose it all. I can't tell you how many people I've met over the years who have told me that going to jail was the best thing that ever happened to them,' says McDonald. 'I think total defeat in this world is the great teacher.' The Doobie Brothers are already members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — with tracks like 'Takin' It To the Streets,' 'What a Fool Believes' and 'Minute By Minute' — but shortly after the album comes out, they'll be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. 'I think it's really great for this band," says Johnston. "I think it's great for us as individual writers, but I think it's also great for the group, and it kind of carries on the name, if you will.' McDonald and Johnston both expressed a little surprise that they're still making music with the folks they worked with in their 20s and are still a draw on the road. 'It's just fun to visit all these places musically. It's fun to put that out in front of the crowd live. And to do an album now — I didn't picture doing this, but I'm all for it,' Johnston says.
The Independent
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
The Doobie Brothers in 2025: A tour, a new album and a date with Songwriters Hall of Fame
Just cue up the first song from the new album by The Doobie Brothers and you'll hear something unusual: harmony, in a new way. It's not just that soulful blast from Michael McDonald, marking his first time recording with the band in 45 years. Listen and you'll also hear founding member Pat Simmons and original vocalist Tom Johnston. 'Walk This Road' — with the always-welcome addition of Mavis Staples — is a horn-and-slide-guitar slice of bluesy, wailing rock that's also a celebration of a band that has endured changes and re-formed with members now in their 70s. 'Somehow, here we are,' says McDonald. 'We've been friends throughout the years. Our kids have all grown up together and our kids have kind of kept us in contact even at times when we might have dropped off the radar for each other.' Lots of Doobie activity The Doobie Brothers, who formed in 1970 and initially broke up in 1982, have a packed 2025 planned: A European tour that leads to a North American one, the strong new album and inclusion in the Songwriters Hall of Fame. 'I don't think any of us ever even really thought we'd still be on stage at this age doing this, much less together,' says McDonald. 'That we're still able to express ourselves artistically is something that's not lost on us.' The North American tour kicks off in Detroit on Aug. 4 and heads to such cities as New York, Boston, Chicago, Milwaukee, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Minneapolis and Toronto. The opening act will be The Coral Reefer Band. 'Walk This Road' features 10 new songs sung by McDonald, Simmons and Johnston, who collaborated on writing the tracks and play on each other's tunes. Longtime collaborator John McFee also returned for the project. The album, out June 6, has something for everyone — honky-tonk, driving country, flirty Southern pop, moody folk and melodic rock. There are songs about New Orleans and Hawaii. Angels make the lyrics on two songs. 'One of the strengths of our live show was the fact that you couldn't get bored with any one style of music because everything was kind of a different bag,' says McDonald, who officially reunited with the band on tour in 2019. 'We like to do that. You know, I think this album is hopefully no different in that respect.' John Shanks, who produced the band's 2021 album 'Liberté,' returned for 'Walk This Road,' lending them his Los Angeles studio, with a writing room upstairs and a recording booth downstairs where each songwriter took turns cutting tracks. 'The band, I think, presents all of us with an opportunity to do things that we might not do just as individual songwriters,' says McDonald. Inside the album While the Doobies have never been a concept band, the album explores seizing the moments, reflects on paths taken and coming to grips with the past. 'This is a snapshot in time of where the band is and where the writers are,' says Johnston. 'We didn't consciously sit down and say, 'Well, we're going to try and do this.'' One track, "Learn to Let Go," is an unrequited love song that's about letting go of things that hold you back, while 'Speed of Pain' is about how the worst things in life can become the best. 'In many cases, it's just a situation where you have to lose it all. I can't tell you how many people I've met over the years who have told me that going to jail was the best thing that ever happened to them,' says McDonald. 'I think total defeat in this world is the great teacher.' The Doobie Brothers are already members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — with tracks like 'Takin' It To the Streets,' 'What a Fool Believes' and 'Minute By Minute' — but shortly after the album comes out, they'll be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. 'I think it's really great for this band," says Johnston. "I think it's great for us as individual writers, but I think it's also great for the group, and it kind of carries on the name, if you will.' McDonald and Johnston both expressed a little surprise that they're still making music with the folks they worked with in their 20s and are still a draw on the road. 'It's just fun to visit all these places musically. It's fun to put that out in front of the crowd live. And to do an album now — I didn't picture doing this, but I'm all for it,' Johnston says.
Associated Press
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
The Doobie Brothers in 2025: A tour, a new album and a date with Songwriters Hall of Fame
NEW YORK (AP) — Just cue up the first song from the new album by The Doobie Brothers and you'll hear something unusual: harmony, in a new way. It's not just that soulful blast from Michael McDonald, marking his first time recording with the band in 45 years. Listen and you'll also hear founding member Pat Simmons and original vocalist Tom Johnston. 'Walk This Road' — with the always-welcome addition of Mavis Staples — is a horn-and-slide-guitar slice of bluesy, wailing rock that's also a celebration of a band that has endured changes and re-formed with members now in their 70s. 'Somehow, here we are,' says McDonald. 'We've been friends throughout the years. Our kids have all grown up together and our kids have kind of kept us in contact even at times when we might have dropped off the radar for each other.' Lots of Doobie activity The Doobie Brothers, who formed in 1970 and initially broke up in 1982, have a packed 2025 planned: A European tour that leads to a North American one, the strong new album and inclusion in the Songwriters Hall of Fame. 'I don't think any of us ever even really thought we'd still be on stage at this age doing this, much less together,' says McDonald. 'That we're still able to express ourselves artistically is something that's not lost on us.' The North American tour kicks off in Detroit on Aug. 4 and heads to such cities as New York, Boston, Chicago, Milwaukee, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Minneapolis and Toronto. The opening act will be The Coral Reefer Band. 'Walk This Road' features 10 new songs sung by McDonald, Simmons and Johnston, who collaborated on writing the tracks and play on each other's tunes. Longtime collaborator John McFee also returned for the project. The album, out June 6, has something for everyone — honky-tonk, driving country, flirty Southern pop, moody folk and melodic rock. There are songs about New Orleans and Hawaii. Angels make the lyrics on two songs. 'One of the strengths of our live show was the fact that you couldn't get bored with any one style of music because everything was kind of a different bag,' says McDonald, who officially reunited with the band on tour in 2019. 'We like to do that. You know, I think this album is hopefully no different in that respect.' John Shanks, who produced the band's 2021 album 'Liberté,' returned for 'Walk This Road,' lending them his Los Angeles studio, with a writing room upstairs and a recording booth downstairs where each songwriter took turns cutting tracks. 'The band, I think, presents all of us with an opportunity to do things that we might not do just as individual songwriters,' says McDonald. Inside the album While the Doobies have never been a concept band, the album explores seizing the moments, reflects on paths taken and coming to grips with the past. 'This is a snapshot in time of where the band is and where the writers are,' says Johnston. 'We didn't consciously sit down and say, 'Well, we're going to try and do this.'' One track, 'Learn to Let Go,' is an unrequited love song that's about letting go of things that hold you back, while 'Speed of Pain' is about how the worst things in life can become the best. 'In many cases, it's just a situation where you have to lose it all. I can't tell you how many people I've met over the years who have told me that going to jail was the best thing that ever happened to them,' says McDonald. 'I think total defeat in this world is the great teacher.' The Doobie Brothers are already members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — with tracks like 'Takin' It To the Streets,' 'What a Fool Believes' and 'Minute By Minute' — but shortly after the album comes out, they'll be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. 'I think it's really great for this band,' says Johnston. 'I think it's great for us as individual writers, but I think it's also great for the group, and it kind of carries on the name, if you will.' McDonald and Johnston both expressed a little surprise that they're still making music with the folks they worked with in their 20s and are still a draw on the road. 'It's just fun to visit all these places musically. It's fun to put that out in front of the crowd live. And to do an album now — I didn't picture doing this, but I'm all for it,' Johnston says.
