The Doobie Brothers rocked the Abbotsford Centre on Sunday.
The Doobies have rung up a track record that would be the envy of any band. Starting with the multi-million-selling sophomore collection Toulose Street in 1972, the band have three multi-platinum, seven platinum and 14 Gold albums. Their Best of the Doobies (1976) has sold more than 11 million copies, making it a diamond record.
In 2011, the band marked a new chapter. They filmed a CMT Crossroads special with superstar Luke Bryan, and appeared for the first time ever on the Grand Ole Opry. Their relationship with Nashville continues to unfold, with a new country-based Doobie Brothers project recorded with some of country music’s biggest stars set for release later this year.
Formed in 1969 by Simmons, singer-songwriter-guitarist Tom Johnston, founding drummer John Hartman, and bassist Dave Shogren, the Doobies made their mark with a run of punchy, melodic hits on Warner Bros. Records. They attained radio and chart ubiquity in the late ‘70s, when the group’s expanded lineup was augmented by Michael McDonald, whose soaring lead vocals pushed the band to new commercial and critical heights.
The years have witnessed many changes in the Doobies, but the band’s most recent studio lineup harkens back to their earliest days. Simmons and Johnston continue to front the group. And multi-instrumentalist John McFee’s history with the Brothers dates back to 1978.
