The Doobie Brothers are one of those bands that we’ve
depended on, year after year, and expect to see performing invariably at
outdoor music festivals, pavilions, arenas, casinos and bike week events across
the nation. The group has been exhilarating audiences for decades yet appear
timeless onstage. One of the principal reasons for the longevity and success of
the Doobie Brothers has a lot to do with an unmitigated affection shared
between the band and its audience. It’s been an amazing love affair that has
persevered for over forty-two years.
When the Doobie Brothers finally call it
quits … rock ‘n’ roll will probably call it quits too. Tom Johnston is the
voice, lyricist and guitarist on numerous classic hit recordings by the Doobie
Brothers. Inspired by listening to R&B music on the radio, California
native Johnston started his first band at 14, eventually broadening his musical
horizons by singing with soul and blues groups. After moving to San Jose to finish college, Tom met Skip
Spence, original drummer for the Jefferson Airplane. Spence introduced Johnston
to drummer John Hartman.
Spence was also a founding member of Moby Grape which
had a major influence on the Doobie Brothers. Tom Johnston, John Hartman and
bassist Greg Murphy formed the power trio “Pud.” When “Pud” unraveled, the evolution of the Doobie Brothers
began to take shape. While living in a home dubbed as their “musical
headquarters,” guitarist Patrick Simmons and bassist Dave Shogren joined the
group. The band quickly generated a huge following in California. In 1971, the Doobie Brothers launched their self- titled
debut album, The Doobie Brothers on the Warner Brothers label with legendary
producers Ted Templeman and Lenny Waronker.
The first track on the album,
“Nobody” penned by Tom Johnston, would later resurface in 2010 on their latest
release, World Gone Crazy. Their second studio album Toulouse Street (named for a
street in the French Quarter of New Orleans) introduced new bassist Tiran
Porter and second drummer Michael Hossack (Navy Veteran). The album spawned the
Tom Johnston penned classic hits, “Listen to the Music” (#11 Top 100 Billboard
Hit -1972), “Rockin’ Down the Highway” and “Jesus Is Just Alright,” (#35
Billboard Top 100 Hit -1973) written by Arthur Reynolds (1965) and performed by
The Byrds (1969). In 1973, the Doobie Brothers released, The Captain and Me
spotlighting some of the bands most memorable classic rock tunes penned by Tom
Johnston … “Long Train Runnin’”(#8 Billboard Hot 100 Hit) and perhaps the bands
anthem song, “China Grove” (#15 Billboard Hot 100 Hit). The Captain and Me also
featured a guest performance by future Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan guitarist
Jeff “Skunk” Baxter.
The Doobie Brothers fourth studio album, What Were Once
Vices Are Now Habits released in 1974 spawned the Tom Johnston penned songs,
“Another Park, Another Sunday” (#32 Billboard Hot 100 Hit) and “Eyes of Silver”
(#52 Billboard Hot 100 Hit). The album also featured Pat Simmons penned tribute
to “The Big Easy,” “Black Water” (#1 Billboard Hot 100 Hit -1975). Stampede released in 1975 was the final album before Michael
McDonald took over lead vocalist duties from an ailing Tom Johnston. The album
featured the cover version, “Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While)”
(#11 Billboard Hot 100 Hit -1975) written by the Motown team of
Holland-Dozier-Holland. Subsequent albums …Takin’ It to the Streets (1976), Livin’
on the Fault Line (1977), Minute by Minute (1978) and One Step Closer (1980)
featured a successful second incarnation of the band, which primarily consisted
of Michael McDonald(vocals, keyboards) Patrick Simmons (guitars/vocals) Jeff
“Skunk” Baxter (guitars, steel guitars), Tiran Porter(bass, vocals), John
Hartman (drums) and Keith Knudsen (drums). *Tom Johnston played and sang “Turn It Loose” and “Wheels of
Fortune” on the album Takin’ It to the Streets. John McFee was added to the Doobie Brothers lineup in 1979
replacing Jeff “Skunk” Baxter and was featured on One Step Closer. After a successful run, the band’s signature sound and
direction became disillusioned.
While working on his solo project, Tom Johnston
rejoined the band for a Farewell Tour, and then the Doobie Brothers would call
it quits as a band for the next five years. The reformation of the Doobie Brothers was contrived when
the band’s alumni were asked by drummer Keith Knudsen to perform at a concert
to benefit veterans’ causes. The band discovered that tickets were in great
demand and soon embarked on a twelve-city tour. In 1989, Cycles, the tenth studio recording by the Doobie
Brothers, now on Capitol Records, witnessed the return of Tom Johnston and
drummer Michael Hossack to the studio as a band. Tom Johnston’s distinctive
vocals returned, and the band re-established their musical roots. Subsequent releases … Brotherhood (1991), Sibling Rivalry
(2000) and World Gone Crazy (2010).
World Gone Crazy was the Doobie Brothers highest charting
album since 1989 receiving rave reviews and featuring the longtime core lineup
of Tom Johnston and Pat Simmons. The Doobie Brothers band functions like a
well-oiled machine, touring consistently year after year and enchanting music
enthusiasts worldwide. The current lineup of Tom Johnston (vocals/guitar), Pat
Simmons (vocals/guitars), John McFee (guitar/strings/vocals), John Cowan
(bass), Guy Allison (keyboards/vocals), Marc Russo (saxophones), Ed Toth
(drums) and Tony Pia (drums)… represent a musical legacy that defines the
quintessence of rock ‘n’ roll and a band that we’ve always depended on
throughout the years.
The Doobie Brothers have sold more than 40-million albums
worldwide.
The Doobie Brothers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.
I had the great pleasure of speaking with Tom Johnston
recently about the band’s current and future projects, family, and the future
of rock ‘n’ roll. Here’s my interview with singer/songwriter/guitarist/and
founding member of classic rock legends the Doobie Brothers … TOM JOHNSTON.
Aug 09 Bridgeport,
CT Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater
Aug 10 Gilford,
NH Bank NH Pavilion
Aug 12 Boston,
MA Xfinity Center
Aug 13 Saratoga
Springs, NY Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Aug 15 Detroit,
MI Pine Knob Music Theatre
Aug 17 Noblesville,
IN Ruoff Music Center
Aug 18 Cincinnati,
OH Riverbend Music Center
Aug 20 Pittsburgh,
PA The Pavilion at Star Lake
Aug 22 Cleveland,
OH Blossom Music Center
Aug 24 St.
Louis, MO Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre STL
Aug 25 Tinley
Park, IL Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
Aug 27 Omaha,
NE CHI Health
Aug 29 Denver,
CO Ball Arena
Aug 30 Salt
Lake City, UT USANA Amphitheater
Sep 03 Bend,
OR Hayden Homes Amphitheater
Sep 05 Ridgefield,
WA RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater
Sep 06 Seattle,
WA White River Amphitheatre
Sep 08 Concord,
CA Concord Pavilion
Sep 10 Wheatland,
CA Toyota Amphitheater
Sep 27 Syracuse,
NY Oncenter War Memorial
Sep 28 Allentown,
PA PPL
Oct 02 Holmdel,
NJ PNC Bank Arts Center
Oct 08 London,
ON Budweiser Gardens
Oct 09 Kitchener,
ON The Aud
Oct 12 Laval,
QC Place Bell
Oct 13 Kingston,
ON Slush Puppie Palace
Oct 15 Quebec
City, QC Centre Videotron
Oct 16 Saint
John, NB TD Station
THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES
BOOK TRAILER
BOOK REVIEW
-By Literary Titan (5) STARS
The Rock Star Chronicles by Ray Shasho, is a splendid book written by a music enthusiast who has poured their heart and soul into it. It’s a story of a boy who loved rock music, and his obsessive passion of it earned himself the name Rock Raymond. He went to school but instead was schooled in all matters of music while his peers were buried chin-deep in coursework. He then became a radio DJ and has now compiled a book on all interviews he held with Rock gods who raided the airwaves back in the 70s and 80s. It’s a compilation of interviews with outstanding vocalists, legendary guitarists and crazy drummers in the rock music scene. Each interview gives a reader an in-depth view into their personal lives and the philosophies that guide their lives which all serve to humanize these great icons. For readers who are old enough to call themselves baby boomers this book will bring old memories back to life. Millennials, on the other hand, may think of this book as a literal work of the Carpool Karaoke show.
The Rock Star Chronicles is a book I didn’t know I was waiting for. To come across a book that will talk me into trying something new. One brave enough to incite me to venture into new frontiers. This book made me a believer- I am now a bona fide Rock and Roll music fan.
Ray Shasho masterfully gets the interviewees talking. He smartly coaxes answers from them with crafty questions designed to get a story rolling out of them. The artists talk about diverse issues ranging from music, politics, and their social engagements. Having been on the music seen all his life, Ray Shasho knows the buttons to press, how to get them comfortable about talking about their lives.
The book’s cover is befitting of its subject matter with the leather look offering a royal background to the golden letter print. It speaks to how high a level rock music holds in the pecking order- arguably, modern music as we know it has originated from blues and rock music. The second noteworthy thing is the use of high-definition pictures to reference the musician being interviewed in every sub-chapter. This ensures that the book is for both original rock and roll lovers and aspiring new ones. Together is makes for a refreshing and consistently enjoyable read.
I recommend this book to rock music enthusiasts, aspiring musicians wondering what it takes and all readers curious to learn new things by going back in time.
Not many people start new bands in their 80s, but legendary guitarist, producer, and songwriter Steve Cropper isn’t slowing down any time soon. The triple-threat musician, recently nominated for his first solo GRAMMY for the debut album from his tight and tuneful rock n’ soul quintet, Steve Cropper & The Midnight Hour, has announced details of his highly anticipated sophomore album, ‘Friendlytown,’ due out August 23rd on the Mascot Label Group.
Always pushing ahead and never repeating himself, Cropper has brought in the talents of Billy F Gibbons from ZZ Top to play on the record. The album also features guest appearances from Queen guitarist extraordinaire Brian May and country-rock singer-songwriter and guitarist Tim Montana, who has balanced a successful solo career with high-profile collaborations with Gibbons and Kid Rock.
In conjunction with the album announcement, Cropper has released the album's first single, “Too Much Stress feat. Brian May,” giving fans a tantalizing taste of the new music. This groovy mid-tempo number features gospel-style backing vocals and a trifecta of the baddest rock guitar players. Brian May sings the duet vocal together with Roger C. Reale and the backing vocals while May and Gibbons trade back-to-back solos. The Queen’s axeman’s trademark snarling tone and lyrical licks perfectly complement Gibbons’ searing blues-based style, with Cropper holding it all down with some signature slinky rhythm guitar work.
Every Beat of My Heart (Warner Bros. Records, 1986)
With Livingston Taylor
Man's Best Friend (Epic Records, 1980)
With Carla Thomas
Memphis Queen (Stax Records, 1969)
With Mickey Thomas
As Long as You Love Me (MCA Records, 1977)
With The Manhattan Transfer
Pastiche (Atlantic Records, 1978)
With Wendy Waldman
The Main Refrain (Warner Bros. Records, 1976)
With Dale Watson
Jukebox Fury (Cleopatra Records, 2022)
With Jerry Lynn Williams
Gone (Warner Bros. Records, 1979)
STEVE CROPPER
APPEARS
JULY 27TH 2024
ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS
WITH RAY SHASHO
THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES
BOOK TRAILER
BOOK REVIEW
-By Literary Titan (5) STARS
The Rock Star Chronicles by Ray Shasho, is a splendid book written by a music enthusiast who has poured their heart and soul into it. It’s a story of a boy who loved rock music, and his obsessive passion of it earned himself the name Rock Raymond. He went to school but instead was schooled in all matters of music while his peers were buried chin-deep in coursework. He then became a radio DJ and has now compiled a book on all interviews he held with Rock gods who raided the airwaves back in the 70s and 80s. It’s a compilation of interviews with outstanding vocalists, legendary guitarists and crazy drummers in the rock music scene. Each interview gives a reader an in-depth view into their personal lives and the philosophies that guide their lives which all serve to humanize these great icons. For readers who are old enough to call themselves baby boomers this book will bring old memories back to life. Millennials, on the other hand, may think of this book as a literal work of the Carpool Karaoke show.
The Rock Star Chronicles is a book I didn’t know I was waiting for. To come across a book that will talk me into trying something new. One brave enough to incite me to venture into new frontiers. This book made me a believer- I am now a bona fide Rock and Roll music fan.
Ray Shasho masterfully gets the interviewees talking. He smartly coaxes answers from them with crafty questions designed to get a story rolling out of them. The artists talk about diverse issues ranging from music, politics, and their social engagements. Having been on the music seen all his life, Ray Shasho knows the buttons to press, how to get them comfortable about talking about their lives.
The book’s cover is befitting of its subject matter with the leather look offering a royal background to the golden letter print. It speaks to how high a level rock music holds in the pecking order- arguably, modern music as we know it has originated from blues and rock music. The second noteworthy thing is the use of high-definition pictures to reference the musician being interviewed in every sub-chapter. This ensures that the book is for both original rock and roll lovers and aspiring new ones. Together is makes for a refreshing and consistently enjoyable read.
I recommend this book to rock music enthusiasts, aspiring musicians wondering what it takes and all readers curious to learn new things by going back in time.
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