“The band didn’t have a name when we started playing around San Jose and we started to catch on and still didn’t have a name and this guy who lived by us said, ‘Just call yourself The Doobie Brothers,’” Johnston elaborated to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune in 2015. “I thought The Doobie Brothers was a dumb name that we would just use until we thought of something better, but we never got rid of it.” We had a guy in the house who said, ‘Why don’t you call yourself the Doobie Brothers because you’re always smoking.’ Everybody looked at each other and said, ‘Well that’s really a stupid name.'” Peace out.
One of the most recognizable voices in the world. He's the definition of blue-eyed soul. If he's on the song, whether it's solo, with Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers, or duets with Kenny Loggins, Patti LaBelle, or Christopher Cross you know that voice the instant he behins singing.
Michael McDonald is who is singing & has a great solo career as well. The band just announced a 2024 tour of 38 US cities with Michael coming back for it. Whoo whoo! His voice is awesome & it takes me back. They formed the group in 1970. I graduated in 1971 & all I can say is, us Boomers' had the best music.
My first concert in 1973! Lots of great songs by them. 🔥🎶🔥 That’s Michael McDonald singing lead. To hear Tom on lead, go back earlier. “Black Water” is a great one to start.
No it’s Michael McDonald singing lead here. He’s been sampled by Warren G and Nate Dogg on Regulate from his masterpiece, “ I Keep Forgettin’”! Still touring- and yes- they sound that good live! Kenny Loggins was the soundtrack KING in the 80’s for many hit films. He’s a great soul singer as well. He and Michael sing together on their joint hit, This Is It.
I saw them in 1980, and they were every bit as good live as recorded. Kenny Loggins is great as well. The song Minute by Minute is a great one, you should check it out.
This is the 2nd era Doobies. The first era they were a loud rock and roll band . 2 of those guys played in Steely Dan, and a lot of other people's recordings.
Doobie is old term for a cannabis cigarette.. Kenny Loggins was in a duo Loggins and Messina and then he went solo and wrote any songs that were used on movie soundtracks in the 1980s ...The big song collaboration with Loggins McDonald is .. ''THIS IS IT''' that is pretty damn good
@MMBxMOB Wait till you hear lead singer Michael McDonald’s song he wrote called “I Keep Forgetting.” It was sampled by Warren G and Nate Dogg for their song “Regulators”. That usually surprises everyone. 🙂
Yeah, we hear it. We've been hearing it for decades. It IS a Live Performance. Michael McDonald sings lead as he did in many of the songs once he joined the band. Some of the best pre-McDonald songs include "Long Train Running," "China Grove," and "Jesus is Just Alright." A couple of the best with McDonald include "Minute by Minute" and "You Keep Me Running." But there are many, many more of each group.
Yep, that's exactly what they meant when they named their band. I guess they were smoking it up a lot. Wouldn't say this is their biggest song. They had a ton of hits. Michael McDonald's voice is like velvet. It's so unique and it immediately mellows me out, coincidentally just like their name would. This was amazing for a live performance. I'd never seen this video before. Their harmonies are on point. Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald co-wrote a few songs. If you've ever heard the song Footloose, you've heard Kenny Loggins singing.
This particular recording is live with a minimal amount of overdub of the studio track. Michael McDonald on keyboard and vocals Jeff Baxter on guitar, the one with the glasses Tiran porter on bass Pat Simmons on guitar John Hartman on drums, the one with the hat. Keith K on drums Bobby Lakind on congas Tom was already gone from the group by this time and working on solo music
This is in the Michael McDonald era of the Doobie Bros. You should check out their earlier songs like Black Water , Long Train Running , Jesus Is Just Alright. Nothing against Michael McDonald just earlier songs before him have a completely different vibe & sound. He's more blue - eyed soul.
Professional musicians in combo just can GET it. DJs just aren’t the same. I can understand crowds for a DJ but it’s just nothing like a group of folks all working together on a unified sound.
The dude sitting down playing guitar is Jeff "Skunk" Baxter. He is a founding member of Steely Dan, and also a Defense department expert who works for the US Government. He has every top security clearance possible. Really amazing guy. If you are a fan of the Muppets, the guitarist is based of of Mr Baxter. When Steely Dan became a studio band, Jeff Baxter joined the Doobies and suggested Michael McDonald as a six week fill in for Tom Johnston. Michael McDonald is everywhere on many songs during the 1970's. He is currently touring again with The Doobies. The Doobies are an amazing band who can play any type of music.
Oh, wow! I forgot how great this song was! Michael McDonald has one of those 'it could only be him' voices. I love it! This came out at a miserable time in my life. But, I remember playing this over and over on my headphones. Must have cheered me up. Funny how music can affect you like that...
Yeah, it's live. This song wasn't typical of their hits. Their earlier hits tended to be rockers, although they did also do sophisticated harmonies, jazzy stuff, etc., as you noticed in this song, even before Michael McDonald came on. BTW Michael McDonald had been a much sought-after singer prior to the Doobies. Pretty much everybody was hiring him as a BG singer. He later became a pretty big solo act.
We been hearing these vocals since the 70's !! 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Thanks for loving it too. This is a live performance, always so surprised that reactors can't believe we had live music like this. It was so normal for us at every concert. Great reaction, thank you! You're going to love getting to know them better. ☮️ ❤️ 🎶 🎸 🎶
Doobbie is rolled up weed like a blunt without the cigar or tobacco. Doobbie Brothers with Michael McDonald is the lead singer/keyboard/songwriter. He's singing on this song.
There are two iterations of the Doobie Brothers. They sound different both are great. Now you've heard Michael McDonald. Listen to some of the earlier stuff (though I'd recommend watching some of the earlier songs as they play them with some years under their belts. Live from Beacon Theater "long train running" --- is a great version I love old rockers who still have it in them and appear to enjoy being on stage. Plus watching my fellow boomers in the audience relive their youth glasses of wine in hand is a hoot.
DEFINITELY live; back when people had natural talent and played their instruments as well. Michael MacDonald’s “I Keep Forgetting” next; if you know Rap, you will recognize it right away ❤
Kenny Loggins who co-wrote the song is a legendary song-writer himself. Most popular for his recording/singing "Danger Zone" to Top Gun movie. Loggins has MANY songs written and performed for movies: Footloose, Top Gun, Over the Top, Caddyshack.
Very talented, so many great hits! Just saw them a few years ago and they still had it, beautiful voices and harmonies! ❤ Check out Black Water and South City Midnight Lady! They were one of the few groups you could listen to the whole album and every song was gold, much like Boston ❤
Keep in mind the version recorded by Mike & Kenny with Templeman may not have sounded anything like the final version with the Doobies. Add that band to the equation and they struck gold.
I prefer the pre - Michael McDonald Doobies. He completely changed their classic sound. When I think of the Doobie Brothers best song, it would have to be Black Water.
You are right. His choking his voice down in his throat, and it has no reason to sound good, but it somehow does. And don't say you are always wrong. You have great instincts.
Do listen to Michael McDonald's duet with Patti LaBelle "On My Own", words cannot describe it! If you want to hear another band with a great set of different voices do listen to Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons 1975 "December 1963 (oh what a night)". You could not have a career in this time unless you could deliver, nobody would even think of "pretending", there was no need. One great example of the way true talent sees "lip synching" is Rod Stewart's Top of the Pops rendition of "Maggie Mae" the show had a history of making artists "sing" to their recorded tracks and Rod decided to turn that on its head, he brought a radio DJ to "play" the mandolin part in the song and by the end they are all playing football (soccer to you) as the music continues to play. The full video is very hard to find because of that.
I love this song one of my all time favorites. Please listen to more of the Doobies and Michael McDonald’s songs from his solo career you won’t be disappointed.
Fun fact. My mother would play this album when she would clean house while I was growing up in the 70/80s. I’ve always enjoyed it. Good music is good music. 😊
Michael McDonald leads on vocals and has quite a solo career, he was everywhere, front, back, on piano, with Patti Labelle and others!! Yea, its a doobie, what you think. Love this group!! 🥳
It is live and Michael McDonald is lead singer & piano player on this, plus he and Kenny Loggins (not a Doobie Brother) wrote it. Tom is not in this video, but he was a founder of the band.
You need to listen to Black Water, Taking it to the streets, Long train running. You can see the different singers in the band with these songs. Timeless group.
I just went to a Doobie Brothers concert, last year, at Hard Rock. It was amazing. Check out Michael McDonald and Patti LaBelle. “On my own.” Amazing duet. He kills it.
Some studio trickery going on… This is Michael McDonald singing live over the studio album track. His voice is incredible! The rest of the band is syncing. Don’t get me wrong. The band was and still is fantastic live!!!
Love The Doobie Brothers! Michael McDonald went solo and had a successful solo career as well. Check out his song 'I keep forgettin' it might sound familiar 😊
That's Michael MacDonald on lead vocals and keys, and, yes, it's live!
THANK YOU!!!! FACTS!!!
Back when live actually meant LIVE.
And they could sing EXACTLY like the Album.
Doobie Brothers name can be credited to a friend who thought it served the band's fondness for "doobies" - a slang for marijuana cigarettes
Not cigarettes-- joints, marijuana joints.
Michael McDonald is singing lead. He cowrote the song with Kenny Loggins. The Doobie Brothers have many huge hits.
Michael Macdonald and Patti Labelle , 'On My Own' beautiful heartbreak romance.
Do a deep dive....and its Michael McDonald, and yes, it live ! Gotta do
" Black Water"
Yes, do "Black Water" next!@@itzel1735
Love this one. Is it Pat Simmons on lead in that one? If so, he’ll get the lead singer wrong again 😉😆
That man ,Michael McDonald, held his own with Patti Labelle...watch video On My Own👏👏👏
Doobie in Doobie Brothers is exactly what you think.
😂😂😂😂
“The band didn’t have a name when we started playing around San Jose and we started to catch on and still didn’t have a name and this guy who lived by us said, ‘Just call yourself The Doobie Brothers,’” Johnston elaborated to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune in 2015. “I thought The Doobie Brothers was a dumb name that we would just use until we thought of something better, but we never got rid of it.” We had a guy in the house who said, ‘Why don’t you call yourself the Doobie Brothers because you’re always smoking.’ Everybody looked at each other and said, ‘Well that’s really a stupid name.'” Peace out.
One of the most recognizable voices in the world. He's the definition of blue-eyed soul. If he's on the song, whether it's solo, with Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers, or duets with Kenny Loggins, Patti LaBelle, or Christopher Cross you know that voice the instant he behins singing.
I think you would like "Takin' it to the Streets." You should check out Michael MacDonald's solo career as well, like "I Keep Forgettin'"
Michael McDonald is who is singing & has a great solo career as well. The band just announced a 2024 tour of 38 US cities with Michael coming back for it. Whoo whoo! His voice is awesome & it takes me back. They formed the group in 1970. I graduated in 1971 & all I can say is, us Boomers' had the best music.
You need to see Kenny Loggins sing "This Is It"! A real banger!
Michael McDonald has sung many parts with Steely Dan. They loved him and his vocals. ❤
My first concert in 1973! Lots of great songs by them. 🔥🎶🔥 That’s Michael McDonald singing lead. To hear Tom on lead, go back earlier. “Black Water” is a great one to start.
Yes that’s live. And that’s Michael McDonald singing lead. You should check out Michael McDonald, I Keep Forgetting.
No it’s Michael McDonald singing lead here. He’s been sampled by Warren G and Nate Dogg on Regulate from his masterpiece, “ I Keep Forgettin’”!
Still touring- and yes- they sound that good live!
Kenny Loggins was the soundtrack KING in the 80’s for many hit films. He’s a great soul singer as well. He and Michael sing together on their joint hit, This Is It.
I remember when Michael McDonald joined the Doobie brothers. It is live. Some of the older bands played their best freaking Music live.
This song won record of the year at the Grammys when it came out... for very good reason.
Once you learn Michael's voice you will hear it everywhere! Lead vocals, backup vocals, in groups, in duets, solo performances. He is terrific!
Michael is amazing. Love him! Have seen him several times solo and with the Doobie Brothers and he blows me away every time. Excellent musician also.
I saw them in 1980, and they were every bit as good live as recorded. Kenny Loggins is great as well. The song Minute by Minute is a great one, you should check it out.
This is the 2nd era Doobies. The first era they were a loud rock and roll band . 2 of those guys played in Steely Dan, and a lot of other people's recordings.
Doobie is old term for a cannabis cigarette.. Kenny Loggins was in a duo Loggins and Messina and then he went solo and wrote any songs that were used on movie soundtracks in the 1980s ...The big song collaboration with Loggins McDonald is .. ''THIS IS IT''' that is pretty damn good
@MMBxMOB Wait till you hear lead singer Michael McDonald’s song he wrote called “I Keep Forgetting.” It was sampled by Warren G and Nate Dogg for their song “Regulators”. That usually surprises everyone. 🙂
Yeah, we hear it. We've been hearing it for decades. It IS a Live Performance. Michael McDonald sings lead as he did in many of the songs once he joined the band. Some of the best pre-McDonald songs include "Long Train Running," "China Grove," and "Jesus is Just Alright." A couple of the best with McDonald include "Minute by Minute" and "You Keep Me Running." But there are many, many more of each group.
Yep, that's exactly what they meant when they named their band. I guess they were smoking it up a lot. Wouldn't say this is their biggest song. They had a ton of hits. Michael McDonald's voice is like velvet. It's so unique and it immediately mellows me out, coincidentally just like their name would. This was amazing for a live performance. I'd never seen this video before. Their harmonies are on point. Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald co-wrote a few songs. If you've ever heard the song Footloose, you've heard Kenny Loggins singing.
Michael Jackson loved them. Please react to Michael Mcdonald I Keep Forgettin live on Soul Train. His sisters did background vocals. You'll love it!
This particular recording is live with a minimal amount of overdub of the studio track.
Michael McDonald on keyboard and vocals
Jeff Baxter on guitar, the one with the glasses
Tiran porter on bass
Pat Simmons on guitar
John Hartman on drums, the one with the hat.
Keith K on drums
Bobby Lakind on congas
Tom was already gone from the group by this time and working on solo music
Kenny Loggins and Huey Lewis and The News has some Monster Hits in the 80's!!!! Definitely need to check both of them out!!!
Michael’s vocals are awesome. I became a fan of his for life after hearing this song 😀
This is in the Michael McDonald era of the Doobie Bros. You should check out their earlier songs like Black Water , Long Train Running , Jesus Is Just Alright. Nothing against Michael McDonald just earlier songs before him have a completely different vibe & sound. He's more blue - eyed soul.
You will LOVE diving into this band!!! Try long train running NEXT!❤❤❤
I thought you had already reacted to the Doobie Bros. These band was amazing. Micheal Mcdonald is a beast.
Yes, this is live. Plenty of cues, such as some of the improvisation and the different tone than what would be heard in a studio.
Professional musicians in combo just can GET it. DJs just aren’t the same. I can understand crowds for a DJ but it’s just nothing like a group of folks all working together on a unified sound.
The dude sitting down playing guitar is Jeff "Skunk" Baxter. He is a founding member of Steely Dan, and also a Defense department expert who works for the US Government. He has every top security clearance possible. Really amazing guy. If you are a fan of the Muppets, the guitarist is based of of Mr Baxter. When Steely Dan became a studio band, Jeff Baxter joined the Doobies and suggested Michael McDonald as a six week fill in for Tom Johnston. Michael McDonald is everywhere on many songs during the 1970's. He is currently touring again with The Doobies. The Doobies are an amazing band who can play any type of music.
Oh, wow! I forgot how great this song was! Michael McDonald has one of those 'it could only be him' voices. I love it! This came out at a miserable time in my life. But, I remember playing this over and over on my headphones. Must have cheered me up. Funny how music can affect you like that...
Yeah, it's live. This song wasn't typical of their hits. Their earlier hits tended to be rockers, although they did also do sophisticated harmonies, jazzy stuff, etc., as you noticed in this song, even before Michael McDonald came on.
BTW Michael McDonald had been a much sought-after singer prior to the Doobies. Pretty much everybody was hiring him as a BG singer. He later became a pretty big solo act.
We been hearing these vocals since the 70's !! 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Thanks for loving it too. This is a live performance, always so surprised that reactors can't believe we had live music like this. It was so normal for us at every concert. Great reaction, thank you! You're going to love getting to know them better. ☮️ ❤️ 🎶 🎸 🎶
I keep forgetting were not in love anymore. Is one of my favorites and he sings by himself!!! ❤
Listen to ON MY OWN. It’s a duet sung by Michael McDonald and
I forget the name of the black female singer. She’s great!
Miss Patti LaBelle
Next: Black Water- completely different vibe, but it will stay with you
Feeling very nostalgic 🥹 I like how you delve into the backgrounds, giving both reminders and new info! 💝💞
It's a beautiful thing when the truth is revealed.
Doobbie is rolled up weed like a blunt without the cigar or tobacco. Doobbie Brothers with Michael McDonald is the lead singer/keyboard/songwriter. He's singing on this song.
michael mcdonald and patti labelle with "On My Own" come in at "16" on my play list, i recommend
I love the Doobie brothers, Michael McDonald also had a solo career.
I also love Steely Dan. I highly recommend dirty work by Steely Dan!
He sings a duo with Aretha!!
There are two iterations of the Doobie Brothers. They sound different both are great. Now you've heard Michael McDonald. Listen to some of the earlier stuff (though I'd recommend watching some of the earlier songs as they play them with some years under their belts. Live from Beacon Theater "long train running" --- is a great version I love old rockers who still have it in them and appear to enjoy being on stage. Plus watching my fellow boomers in the audience relive their youth glasses of wine in hand is a hoot.
DEFINITELY live; back when people had natural talent and played their instruments as well. Michael MacDonald’s “I Keep Forgetting” next; if you know Rap, you will recognize it right away ❤
Michael McDonald the lead singer here went solo eventually. He and Patti LaBelle had a huge duet hit with a song called On My Own.
Doobie Brothers are the bomb , I have loved that band since 1971. Thanks for the great reaction 👏👏❤️
Kenny Loggins who co-wrote the song is a legendary song-writer himself.
Most popular for his recording/singing "Danger Zone" to Top Gun movie.
Loggins has MANY songs written and performed for movies: Footloose, Top Gun, Over the Top, Caddyshack.
Very talented, so many great hits! Just saw them a few years ago and they still had it, beautiful voices and harmonies! ❤ Check out Black Water and South City Midnight Lady! They were one of the few groups you could listen to the whole album and every song was gold, much like Boston ❤
You should check out his song Keep Forgetting. I think you’ll enjoy it!
It's LIVE! 🤩Michael McDonald and the rest of the band are so awesome 💖
Your listening to one of the best bands of that time,just glad you could enjoy them simply the best😊
Saw them in Vancouver Canada in 1977 and in Abbotsford ( just outside Vancouver) 2023. Always great music.
This was the Michael McDonald era of the Doobies. They have a huge catalog of songs with and more importantly without him it deserves a deep dive
Keep in mind the version recorded by Mike & Kenny with Templeman may not have sounded anything like the final version with the Doobies. Add that band to the equation and they struck gold.
Huge rabbit hole.
Both older era and newer era.
Lots of 🔥!!!!!
I prefer the pre - Michael McDonald Doobies. He completely changed their classic sound. When I think of the Doobie Brothers best song, it would have to be Black Water.
You are right. His choking his voice down in his throat, and it has no reason to sound good, but it somehow does. And don't say you are always wrong. You have great instincts.
It’s a jay, spliff, joint, blunt, jazz cigarettes, and reefers!
Do listen to Michael McDonald's duet with Patti LaBelle "On My Own", words cannot describe it! If you want to hear another band with a great set of different voices do listen to Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons 1975 "December 1963 (oh what a night)". You could not have a career in this time unless you could deliver, nobody would even think of "pretending", there was no need. One great example of the way true talent sees "lip synching" is Rod Stewart's Top of the Pops rendition of "Maggie Mae" the show had a history of making artists "sing" to their recorded tracks and Rod decided to turn that on its head, he brought a radio DJ to "play" the mandolin part in the song and by the end they are all playing football (soccer to you) as the music continues to play. The full video is very hard to find because of that.
Oh its live
I love this song one of my all time favorites. Please listen to more of the Doobies and Michael McDonald’s songs from his solo career you won’t be disappointed.
Fun fact. My mother would play this album when she would clean house while I was growing up in the 70/80s. I’ve always enjoyed it. Good music is good music. 😊
So Right ! Knowing the back stories makes the music all the sweeter !!
Michael McDonald leads on vocals and has quite a solo career, he was everywhere, front, back, on piano, with Patti Labelle and others!!
Yea, its a doobie, what you think.
Love this group!! 🥳
You may want to listen to Micheal McDonald's "I keep forgettin".
You need to listen to Michael MacDonald and Patti LaBelle sing On My Own. It's superb!
This is the Doobies 2.0 with Michael MacDonald. You have to watch all of their earlier work witch is more rock/blues/etc. etc. pre Michael.
Kenny loggins is an artist in his own right .. he is amazing you need to check his stuff out as well
Doobie Brothers started in 1971 -Michael MacDonald who sings lead did not join the group until 1978.
That is Michael Mc Donald leading out
It is live , circa 1979
Lead singer MICHAEL MCDONALD!!!
He is even doing his back-up vocals.
Photo is the band in the version that existed before this music was made. Tom Johnston had to leave. Michael McDonald came in. Also Skunk Baxter..
Doobie Brothers
Taking It To The Streets
Fave. Find a live version
Check out the early Doobie Brothers before Michael McDonald joined. They have some great songs!!
It is live and Michael McDonald is lead singer & piano player on this, plus he and Kenny Loggins (not a Doobie Brother) wrote it. Tom is not in this video, but he was a founder of the band.
You need to listen to Black Water, Taking it to the streets, Long train running. You can see the different singers in the band with these songs. Timeless group.
Kenny is a solo artist he just help write the song. 😊
To see awesome original singer, watch the video of “listen to the music”!
I just went to a Doobie Brothers concert, last year, at Hard Rock. It was amazing. Check out Michael McDonald and Patti LaBelle. “On my own.” Amazing duet. He kills it.
Michael McDonald is singing!! He's awesome!!
Oh yes, that's live. Back in the day pre-autotune
"He came from somewhere back in her long ago". What a lyric.
A Doobie is a Marajuana cigarette.
You really need to hear “On My Own”, Micheals’ duet
with Patti LaBelle. Off the charts!! ❤
"I could be wrong I'm always wrong " Aww no you're not I like your reactions
Great song!!!!!
I think this is studio version. Michael McDonald has a very unique voice. He has done several collaborations, too. Very nice voice.
Some studio trickery going on… This is Michael McDonald singing live over the studio album track. His voice is incredible! The rest of the band is syncing. Don’t get me wrong. The band was and still is fantastic live!!!
It is live!!!!!
Thats Michael Mc Donald singing lead.
A Doobie is a joint! LOL
Yes it is my man.
Love The Doobie Brothers! Michael McDonald went solo and had a successful solo career as well. Check out his song 'I keep forgettin' it might sound familiar 😊
a lot of fun you need to hear Taken it the streets. I got to see them 1 year ago very good in concert