When McDonald replaced Johnston, the Doobies just became his backup band. It was no longer the Doobie Brothers. Totally different styles. I was surprised they agreed to do it that way.
Without McDonald, the Doobies would have either had to break up or become just another group playing at local carnivals. Bands sometimes change their direction and sound. Just ask Ringo or Paul McCartney.
~~ it was the 2nd half of the 70's and what would eventually be called .. "yacht rock" was proving to be a BIG seller ( thanks mostly to Steely Dan ) - for a pop-rock record industry that was rapidly becoming corporatized - IOW - the suits knew they were sitting on a goldmine with McDonald being backed by a successful rock band - even if that band was missing it's real leader ..
Although a great talent in his own right,I never considered Michael McDonald a member of the Doobie Brothers.I was/am, a Tom Johnston/Patrick Simmons fan from the beginning,and always will be.
In the words of Garth Algar...The original Doobie Brothers didn't write songs that everybody would love...they left that to the Bee Gees and Michael McDonald.
This video doesn't even mention that McDonald has reunited with the Doobie Brothers on recent tours and they are now recording a new album together. I have no idea what goes on behind the scenes but I like the fact that all these guys can put their egos aside and join together for a fuller collaboration of the great history of Doobie Brothers music with and without Michael McDonald.
McDonald "saved" and "wrecked" the Doobies simultaneously. With the passage of time, it's easier to put it into perspective. I was bitterly disappointed in the direction that McDonald took the band in. I remember when I was in college, I went out and bought "Takin it to the Streets", and thought it was garbage. I thought McDonald sounded like sick cow, and it didn't sound anything like the Doobies, no gritty edge, nothing I could even recognize. Johnston had to step back for health issues, and McDonald contributed songs that made the band a boatload of money and kept their success going. It's hard to "blame" McDonald, although once Johnston returned it was obviously impossible to put the toothpaste back in the tube. Most bands have 5 peak creative years, and then kind of "peter out" and live off what they did forever. That might have happened to the Doobies had McDonald not showed up, but we'll never know. What we do know is that McDonalds contributions took their popularity to another level. I still don't like that "period", but many people did, and it brought new fans into the fold. It's really a "mixed bag", and an interesting "rock and roll" story.
Doobie Brothers needed a singer BAD! Tom was ailing badly at this time. But for me, the Doobie Brothers ended when Tom stepped away. Things change, sometimes good, sometimes bad.
@@mattneville9814I believe he suffered stomach ulcers and was passing blood. He also had difficulty with the pace of life on the road, according to Jeff Baxter.
@ His back.. He had a back surgery that left him in about the same pain as going in. It was a rough stretch for him. He eventually (like me) took to holistic approaches to his pain and got a handle on it.
I felt the same way..but I have to grudgingly admit Michael McDonald did write and sing some great music..he,imo,completely butchered the original doobies music in concert..I actually got up and left a doobies concert because it sucked so bad..I literally danced when Tom Johnston came back...
They were only the Doobie Brothers by name. MacDonald sucks, he can't sing he can only croak. I hate hearing them in the background of other songs. He ruined Steely Dan songs, I wish I could remove his voice from their songs.
Even though this is a video trying to defame and discredit Mr. Michael "white lightening" McDonald, because he stepped in and saved America's #1 band, its uncalled for.. Tom Johnston, who got sick, and couldn't tour or travel because of his sickness, knew the deal when Michael signed and joined the band, i dont even think he was affected by the transition, yes he left and was apart of the band for a short period of time, me personally, TJ, MM, and PS are the glue and foundation of The Doobie Brothers, they wrote the most hits for the band and THEY led the band to great success, audience wise and commercial wise, not only were these 3 the main acts for the reunion tours and benefits , but these 3 are the REAL BIG 3, Michael joined the band in late '75, or early '76 and saved the band from fading into existence..he needs his thanks and his flowers.. But for all the McDonald-stans who absolutely hate Michael McDonald for NOT only lending his time, creativity, and mind to produce and create money hits for the band, and save the band, and keep the band from fading, keep crying, you cant rewrite nor change history.. Whether you mess with the MM era or not, whether you like where the band took its turn musically and sound wise, you can't REWRITE HISTORY because of your feelings and how you feel about a bands certain formation.. you can't.. so keep crying.😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Thank Michael, Tom, Pat, John M. , John H, Mike H, Keith K, Tiran P, The Skunk, Bobby L, Chet M, and Cornelius B, this formation was THEE BADDEST AND THE MOST PERFECT reincarnation of The Doobie Brothers ever, hands down, so many diverse and talented players, circa '87 and '92 every player that made a song personally from the band and that always toured with the band is in this lineup, is the best lineup. You got so much for the deal of 1 ticket, a rare, rare occasion.. the best lineup for sure I've said my words
Well said MuscleMane. I grew up in the bay area and was a huge Doobie Bothers fan back in the early to mid-seventies and didn't really like the change in the band's direction when Michael joined but I have to admit that he broadened their appeal to a much larger audience, and he is a good dude and deserves his respect as a musician. I remember working in a warehouse back then and all of the women there of every ethnicity just loved them some Michael Mcdonald. It's funny my wife doesn't even care much for the Doobie Brothers music, but she absolutely loves Michael McDonald.
I've been recording engineer for the past 50 years and you see bands go through this all the time it's terribly unfortunate that people get into a power control usually people that have worked so hard to deliver certain creative aspects feel jilted when their opinions are not heard rather than cherished as a new opportunity to move forward I have been a great fan of the Doobie Brothers from their very beginning through the very end I think they are miraculous there has never been a time that I have seen them that they have been the best of the best the music is the best of the best it's a treasure we're lucky to have them I'm sorry that they fought for control but they should know that their legacy is well cemented with all the Rockers and with all the rock influenced R&B stuff that they did they are amazing and should be applauded for being around if you haven't been to one of their shows you should go they are truly the best of the best cheers to them
I never bought a D.B. album until they released the Living on the Fualt Line album. McDonald's vocals and musical influence changed them from a biker bar band and greatly enlarged their fan base which is why they have been able to tour for so many years.
Musical trends were changing thick and fast in the 1970's. Had the Doobie Bros not changed their hard rock sound under Michael McDonald they would have probably broken up. McDonald wasn't trying to turn the Doobies into a disco/ soul band but I think similar to Steely Dan. Their sales and popularity under him turned them into super stars.
Even though Jeff "Skunk" Baxter suggested to bring in McDonald in 1976 because of working with him in Steely Dan, Jeff quit the band in early 1979 noting he couldn't work w/McDonald any more. McDonald was squeezing guitar parts out of songs to make them more keyboard oriented. Skunk Baxter had enough and left as he and McDonald weren't getting along.
Internal creative struggles within bands is an old story, it's not like Michael McDonald is any more difficult to work with than anyone else - the video over sensationalizes this idea. Moreover, I like the R&B polish he brought to the Doobie Brothers; it made their sound much more multi-dimensional. After a few years of success, most bands have to adapt and change up their sound in order to be relevant and progress musically. By 1975, Michael McDonald helped the Doobies do just that - they sort of needed a change agent in order to move forward.
I read their book, and this vlog doesn't seem to represent what really happened. Johnston had to leave the band due to health reasons (ulcers). There was never a competition with McDonald. Mike just stepped in to fill the void left by Tom's departure after their Stampede album. skunk Baxter also stepped in as 2nd guitarist. With Tom unable to continue during the Taking It To The Streets sessions, it was decided they needed to continue on with the direction McDonald's writing style took them in. Tom was never forced out-- his health determined what occured back then. I wasn't on board with the new direction at all. Loved the band with Tom. WAsn't into the AM radio soul infused pop style with McDonald. THey are apparently working on a new album featuring both Tom & Michael...I have trepidation about how that might play out. I'm guessing not enough rock/guitar as I'd prefer. We'll see....they're last one--Liberte,was a very solid album sort of fusing both styles. A very cool batch of songs. Let's hope for the best.... T
watch & listen - ( if you dare) - to Yoko on "the Rolling Stones Rock & Roll Circus" - actual performance was late 1968 - Lennon had an all-star band - Clapton - Mitch Mitchell on drums - Keith Richards on bass - and Yoko did some .. "vocals" - if you can call it that - sounds more like some poor woodland creature being tortured - Clapton was having a hard time keeping a straight face - and Lennon would get pissed when anyone made fun of her - a few years later Zappa's band would ridicule her on stage and John was not pleased ..
“The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side.” ~ Hunter S. Thompson
I Kinda Felt that way,being more of a Johnston Doobie bro.as opposed to Michael.My dad as a Kid of the 70s,gave me a Doobie Brothers,8Track,Recorded a bunch of Songs before a Greatest Hits,record came out!And It only Had Tom,Patrick,and the Rest of the Doobies,before the Mc!So That's How I Feel,Still,even though Michael,changed the Vibe of the Doobie Tribe!😮
In the early 70s when tom led the band i always thought HIS voice, the guitar riffs plus tiran porters fantastic bass playing WERE the doobies....michael.mcdonald has a great voice...but...tom WAS theyre voice...a GRRRREAT lead singer 👑
McDonald was a session musician who had a distinctive style that brought many artists to new heights, he even helped shape "I'll Wait" by Van Halen which did very well commercially. That said, you can't expect to just come in to an already established band and mold them into your own vision. If this video is in fact credible, the thought of him trying to change Walter Becker & Donald Fagan's sound is laughable, I was under the impression they just hired him for backing vocals. Well whatever the case I'll always like to remember him as Rick Moranis' portrayal on SCTV.
When the money starts rolling in, that’s where a band is gonna go. When you spend years starving while paying your dues… what are you going to do? Once you’re staying at the Four Seasons, who wants to go back to an Econo Lodge? Besides that, the drug quality tends to be much better when you’re successful.
YOU CANT MAKE EVERYBODY,DOOBIES WERE GREAT MCDONALD'S WAS ALSO GREAT ,APPLES AND ORANGES WHEN YOU CANT MAKE YOURSELF HAPPY YOU WONT MAKE ANYBODY HAPPY MIKE WAS GREAT 😊
McDonald is fine as long as he is doing background vocals but boring and douchebag as hell as a lead. He should have just tried to start his own middle of the road, middle aged white rich folks band instead of sabotaging the Doobie Brothers.
Watching this i just had a wicked thought..😏What if i could go back in time and somehow have Michael McDonald join the Eagles..😂 break-up would be the very least worry.. start of a major brawl with that…
I liked some of Macdonalds tunes with the Doobies but they were not the Doobies that I preferred under Johnston. I liked the more southern rock styles of the Johnston Doobies. Macdonald’s songs to me were way too bland.
@@lilajagears8317Nah it didn't, McDonald was simply leagues above the rest of the band, albeit as talented as they were this guy does duets with Stevie Wonder FFS.. & writes hits like Gamble & Huff I'd lurrve to hear Tom Johnstone attempt that!!!! Not a prayer!!!! The green eyed monsters ought to be held in check, you sound so childish, it's pathetic Maybe Tom would care to return the zillions he earned from Takin it to the Streets thru to One Step Closer ? Given the lot were substantially Michael's work
When McDonald replaced Johnston, the Doobies just became his backup band. It was no longer the Doobie Brothers. Totally different styles. I was surprised they agreed to do it that way.
Without McDonald, the Doobies would have either had to break up or become just another group playing at local carnivals. Bands sometimes change their direction and sound. Just ask Ringo or Paul McCartney.
~~ it was the 2nd half of the 70's and what would eventually be called .. "yacht rock" was proving to be a BIG seller ( thanks mostly to Steely Dan ) - for a pop-rock record industry that was rapidly becoming corporatized - IOW - the suits knew they were sitting on a goldmine with McDonald being backed by a successful rock band - even if that band was missing it's real leader ..
@@billyz5088 Steely Dan is soooo much better than "Yacht rock." Fagen takes the label as an insult because it is.
Although a great talent in his own right,I never considered Michael McDonald a member of the Doobie Brothers.I was/am, a Tom Johnston/Patrick Simmons fan from the beginning,and always will be.
I lost any interest in the Doobies when McDonald joined.
Same here.McDonald may be a great musician but bad fit for Doobies style.
I wonder about the scripts of these docs sometimes. It feels like they repeat the same paragraph over and over, just worded differently.
In the words of Garth Algar...The original Doobie Brothers didn't write songs that everybody would love...they left that to the Bee Gees and Michael McDonald.
This video doesn't even mention that McDonald has reunited with the Doobie Brothers on recent tours and they are now recording a new album together. I have no idea what goes on behind the scenes but I like the fact that all these guys can put their egos aside and join together for a fuller collaboration of the great history of Doobie Brothers music with and without Michael McDonald.
McDonald "saved" and "wrecked" the Doobies simultaneously. With the passage of time, it's easier to put it into perspective. I was bitterly disappointed in the direction that McDonald took the band in. I remember when I was in college, I went out and bought "Takin it to the Streets", and thought it was garbage. I thought McDonald sounded like sick cow, and it didn't sound anything like the Doobies, no gritty edge, nothing I could even recognize. Johnston had to step back for health issues, and McDonald contributed songs that made the band a boatload of money and kept
their success going. It's hard to "blame" McDonald, although once Johnston returned it was obviously impossible to put the toothpaste back in the tube. Most bands have 5 peak creative years, and then kind of "peter out" and live off what they did forever. That might have happened to the Doobies had McDonald not showed up, but we'll never know. What we do know is that McDonalds contributions took their popularity to another level. I still don't like that "period", but many people did, and it brought new fans into the fold. It's really a "mixed bag", and an interesting "rock and roll" story.
I love both incarnations of the Doobie Brothers. I view it like Van Halen with David Lee Roth vs Sammy Hagar. They're both great, but different.
Always preferred the Tom Johnston Doobies. They were and they will always be the true Doobie Brothers sound.
Doobie Brothers needed a singer BAD! Tom was ailing badly at this time. But for me, the Doobie Brothers ended when Tom stepped away. Things change, sometimes good, sometimes bad.
What was ailing Tom?
@@mattneville9814I believe he suffered stomach ulcers and was passing blood.
He also had difficulty with the pace of life on the road, according to Jeff Baxter.
@ His back.. He had a back surgery that left him in about the same pain as going in. It was a rough stretch for him. He eventually (like me) took to holistic approaches to his pain and got a handle on it.
I felt the same way..but I have to grudgingly admit Michael McDonald did write and sing some great music..he,imo,completely butchered the original doobies music in concert..I actually got up and left a doobies concert because it sucked so bad..I literally danced when Tom Johnston came back...
They were only the Doobie Brothers by name. MacDonald sucks, he can't sing he can only croak. I hate hearing them in the background of other songs. He ruined Steely Dan songs, I wish I could remove his voice from their songs.
Even though this is a video trying to defame and discredit Mr. Michael "white lightening" McDonald, because he stepped in and saved America's #1 band, its uncalled for..
Tom Johnston, who got sick, and couldn't tour or travel because of his sickness, knew the deal when Michael signed and joined the band, i dont even think he was affected by the transition, yes he left and was apart of the band for a short period of time, me personally, TJ, MM, and PS are the glue and foundation of The Doobie Brothers, they wrote the most hits for the band and THEY led the band to great success, audience wise and commercial wise, not only were these 3 the main acts for the reunion tours and benefits , but these 3 are the REAL BIG 3, Michael joined the band in late '75, or early '76 and saved the band from fading into existence..he needs his thanks and his flowers..
But for all the McDonald-stans who absolutely hate Michael McDonald for NOT only lending his time, creativity, and mind to produce and create money hits for the band, and save the band, and keep the band from fading, keep crying, you cant rewrite nor change history..
Whether you mess with the MM era or not, whether you like where the band took its turn musically and sound wise, you can't REWRITE HISTORY because of your feelings and how you feel about a bands certain formation.. you can't.. so keep crying.😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Thank Michael, Tom, Pat, John M. , John H, Mike H, Keith K, Tiran P, The Skunk, Bobby L, Chet M, and Cornelius B, this formation was THEE BADDEST AND THE MOST PERFECT reincarnation of The Doobie Brothers ever, hands down, so many diverse and talented players, circa '87 and '92 every player that made a song personally from the band and that always toured with the band is in this lineup, is the best lineup.
You got so much for the deal of 1 ticket, a rare, rare occasion.. the best lineup for sure
I've said my words
Yep this churlish hitpiece is arguably defamatory IMHO
@ still can't rewrite history tho so cry
Well said MuscleMane. I grew up in the bay area and was a huge Doobie Bothers fan back in the early to mid-seventies and didn't really like the change in the band's direction when Michael joined but I have to admit that he broadened their appeal to a much larger audience, and he is a good dude and deserves his respect as a musician. I remember working in a warehouse back then and all of the women there of every ethnicity just loved them some Michael Mcdonald. It's funny my wife doesn't even care much for the Doobie Brothers music, but she absolutely loves Michael McDonald.
I'm SHOCKED!!!!
I've been recording engineer for the past 50 years and you see bands go through this all the time it's terribly unfortunate that people get into a power control usually people that have worked so hard to deliver certain creative aspects feel jilted when their opinions are not heard rather than cherished as a new opportunity to move forward I have been a great fan of the Doobie Brothers from their very beginning through the very end I think they are miraculous there has never been a time that I have seen them that they have been the best of the best the music is the best of the best it's a treasure we're lucky to have them I'm sorry that they fought for control but they should know that their legacy is well cemented with all the Rockers and with all the rock influenced R&B stuff that they did they are amazing and should be applauded for being around if you haven't been to one of their shows you should go they are truly the best of the best cheers to them
Michael McDonald ruined the Doobie brothers for me. They became a band for my little sister.
I agree.
I never bought a D.B. album until they released the Living on the Fualt Line album. McDonald's vocals and musical influence changed them from a biker bar band and greatly enlarged their fan base which is why they have been able to tour for so many years.
Michael McDonald put an end to the Doobie Brothers.
My friends and I called the McDonald version the "Disco Doobies".
This is the second “Tom Johnston V Michael McDonald” RUclips clip I’ve watched today ….slow news day?
Could never stand the cubicle music of MM. I like it less now.
Mike was great as a background vocalist,
but to my ear, not so much as a lead singer, and he certainly ruined the sound of the Doobies, as we knew it.
Musical trends were changing thick and fast in the 1970's. Had the Doobie Bros not changed their hard rock sound under Michael McDonald they would have probably broken up. McDonald wasn't trying to turn the Doobies into a disco/ soul band but I think similar to Steely Dan. Their sales and popularity under him turned them into super stars.
Even though Jeff "Skunk" Baxter suggested to bring in McDonald in 1976 because of working with him in Steely Dan, Jeff quit the band in early 1979 noting he couldn't work w/McDonald any more. McDonald was squeezing guitar parts out of songs to make them more keyboard oriented. Skunk Baxter had enough and left as he and McDonald weren't getting along.
Interesting there was like 32 number one in a row that were disco until "What a Fool Believes" broke the string.
McDonald's response to the critics: ".....shahMAYhaMAYHOOOOoooooooooo"
Every band goes through changes.
Internal creative struggles within bands is an old story, it's not like Michael McDonald is any more difficult to work with than anyone else - the video over sensationalizes this idea. Moreover, I like the R&B polish he brought to the Doobie Brothers; it made their sound much more multi-dimensional. After a few years of success, most bands have to adapt and change up their sound in order to be relevant and progress musically. By 1975, Michael McDonald helped the Doobies do just that - they sort of needed a change agent in order to move forward.
I read their book, and this vlog doesn't seem to represent what really happened. Johnston had to leave the band due to health reasons (ulcers). There was never a competition with McDonald. Mike just stepped in to fill the void left by Tom's departure after their Stampede album. skunk Baxter also stepped in as 2nd guitarist. With Tom unable to continue during the Taking It To The Streets sessions, it was decided they needed to continue on with the direction McDonald's writing style took them in. Tom was never forced out-- his health determined what occured back then. I wasn't on board with the new direction at all. Loved the band with Tom. WAsn't into the AM radio soul infused pop style with McDonald. THey are apparently working on a new album featuring both Tom & Michael...I have trepidation about how that might play out. I'm guessing not enough rock/guitar as I'd prefer. We'll see....they're last one--Liberte,was a very solid album sort of fusing both styles. A very cool batch of songs. Let's hope for the best.... T
McDonald ruined more bands then Yoko
watch & listen - ( if you dare) - to Yoko on "the Rolling Stones Rock & Roll Circus" - actual performance was late 1968 - Lennon had an all-star band - Clapton - Mitch Mitchell on drums - Keith Richards on bass - and Yoko did some .. "vocals" - if you can call it that - sounds more like some poor woodland creature being tortured - Clapton was having a hard time keeping a straight face - and Lennon would get pissed when anyone made fun of her - a few years later Zappa's band would ridicule her on stage and John was not pleased ..
“The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side.” ~ Hunter S. Thompson
I Kinda Felt that way,being more of a Johnston Doobie bro.as opposed to Michael.My dad as a Kid of the 70s,gave me a Doobie Brothers,8Track,Recorded a bunch of Songs before a Greatest Hits,record came out!And It only Had Tom,Patrick,and the Rest of the Doobies,before the Mc!So That's How I Feel,Still,even though Michael,changed the Vibe of the Doobie Tribe!😮
So didn't Johnston leave the band? It was no longer his band once he left. Be grateful McDonald could step in and keep the band going.
In the early 70s when tom led the band i always thought HIS voice, the guitar riffs plus tiran porters fantastic bass playing WERE the doobies....michael.mcdonald has a great voice...but...tom WAS theyre voice...a GRRRREAT lead singer 👑
McDonald was a session musician who had a distinctive style that brought many artists to new heights, he even helped shape "I'll Wait" by Van Halen which did very well commercially. That said, you can't expect to just come in to an already established band and mold them into your own vision. If this video is in fact credible, the thought of him trying to change Walter Becker & Donald Fagan's sound is laughable, I was under the impression they just hired him for backing vocals. Well whatever the case I'll always like to remember him as Rick Moranis' portrayal on SCTV.
When the money starts rolling in, that’s where a band is gonna go. When you spend years starving while paying your dues… what are you going to do? Once you’re staying at the Four Seasons, who wants to go back to an Econo Lodge? Besides that, the drug quality tends to be much better when you’re successful.
Johnston was way better than McDonald
YOU CANT MAKE EVERYBODY,DOOBIES WERE GREAT MCDONALD'S WAS ALSO GREAT ,APPLES AND ORANGES WHEN YOU CANT MAKE YOURSELF HAPPY YOU WONT MAKE ANYBODY HAPPY MIKE WAS GREAT 😊
WHHAAAATTT??????
@mrpoizun THEY WERE ALL GREAT,DIFFERENT BUT GREAT APPLES AND ORANGES, ✌️MRRY CHRISTMAS
McDonald is fine as long as he is doing background vocals but boring and douchebag as hell as a lead. He should have just tried to start his own middle of the road, middle aged white rich folks band instead of sabotaging the Doobie Brothers.
Watching this i just had a wicked thought..😏What if i could go back in time and somehow have Michael McDonald join the Eagles..😂 break-up would be the very least worry.. start of a major brawl with that…
Ha ha😀
NO
At least the Doobies would not have gone soft. Never cared for the Eagles
I liked some of Macdonalds tunes with the Doobies but they were not the Doobies that I preferred under Johnston. I liked the more southern rock styles of the Johnston Doobies. Macdonald’s songs to me were way too bland.
It Keeps You Running, Taking It to the Streets, You Belong to Me, etc. were too bland?? Mercy!
McDonald saved The Doobies just as Cetera saved Chicago
The Doobs were SO much better with McDonald ....
It ruined the band, turning them into a damned sleeping pill.
@@lilajagears8317Nah it didn't, McDonald was simply leagues above the rest of the band, albeit as talented as they were this guy does duets with Stevie Wonder FFS.. & writes hits like Gamble & Huff
I'd lurrve to hear Tom Johnstone attempt that!!!!
Not a prayer!!!!
The green eyed monsters ought to be held in check, you sound so childish, it's pathetic
Maybe Tom would care to return the zillions he earned from Takin it to the Streets thru to One Step Closer ? Given the lot were substantially Michael's work
He can't sing.