The Doobie Brothers Double Down On 50th Anniversary Tour Dates

The Doobie Brothers have rolled out the revamped schedule for its long-delayed 50th anniversary tour featuring Michael McDonald back on keyboards alongside bandmates Tom Johnston, Pat Simmons, and John McFee. Best Classic Bands broke the news that the trek will be broken into two legs: a fall 2021 run, and a string of spring 2022 shows — spanning a whopping 47 North American dates

Back when then tour was originally announced, co-founding guitarist Tom Johnston said: “We’re truly excited about our 50th Anniversary Tour, as it’s a celebration of the band’s entire history. We’ll be performing songs from our full catalog, as well as new music.”

Michael McDonald added: “Performing again with the Doobie Brothers is something I’ve been looking forward to for some time, especially in celebration of the band’s 50th Anniversary. Now that it’s happening, I couldn’t be more excited.”

McDonald, who along with the Doobies was finally induced into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year, told us he might be the most excited of his bandmates to once again hit the road: “It seemed like the 50th anniversary was probably the most opportune time for me to, kind of, come back and tour with the band — y'know, which I'm really, really looking forward to. For me it's always been a real source of pride to be a member of the Doobies.”

Patrick Simmons, the sole member to have survived the numerous lineup changes, admits life as a Doobie Brother has pretty much been a dream come true. We asked him if he ever expected the Doobies to still be played constantly on the radio and out gigging at sold out shows to a die-hard legion of fans after all these years: “Not in a million years (laughs). Y'know, most bands, y'know, last a year or two and — if they're lucky. For me to have been able to record and make music with all these great, great players — and still be doing it — it's just ridiculous (laughs) — I'm not worthy, y'know? For me, y'know, being a part of a band like this is has always been sort of; I felt, a gift (laughs). Not just musically, but the whole opportunity to kind of like the dream, in terms of being able to pursue something that you love to do and make a living out of it.” SOUND

Doobie Brothers guitarist and lead singer Tom Johnston told us that the way he preps before hitting the road is light years away than how got himself in shape before the Doobies' classic road runs back in the '70s. We asked him what's been the primary change for him over the decades: “Probably a sense of proficiency on both instrument and voice, for one thing. Back in those days, I never practiced — we just played. I mean, we got together and rehearsed once in a while, but, I mean, I didn't practice unless I was with a band. Nowadays, I practice before going on any tours. I like to get, like, two hours a day, at least; y'know, an hour on guitar, an hour on voice. I used to write back then, but it was kind of hit and miss; nowadays I write almost as a hobby.”

RESCHEDULED: The Doobie Brothers tour dates (subject to change):

August 22 – Des Moines, IA – Iowa State Fair
August 29 – Tinley Park, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
August 31 – St. Paul, MN – Minnesota Stair Fair
September 2 – Clarkston, MI – DTE Energy Music Theatre
September 4 – Burgettstown, PA – KeyBank Pavilion
September 5 – Toledo, OH – The Zoo Amphitheater
September 8 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
September 9 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center
September 11 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center
September 12 – Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena
September 14 – Kansas City, MO – Starlight Theatre
September 15 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
September 27 – Denver, CO – Pepsi Center
September 29 – Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre
October 1 – Spokane, WA – Spokane Arena
October 2 – Seattle, WA – White River Amphitheatre
October 5 – Ridgefield, WA – Sunlight Supply Amphitheater
October 8 – Chula Vista, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheater
October 9 – Los Angeles, CA – The Forum
October 11 – Fresno, CA – Save Mart Center
October 13 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
October 14 – Wheatland, CA – Toyota Amphitheater
October 16 – Phoenix, AZ – Ak-Chin Pavilion
October 19 – Irving, TX – Toyota Music Factory
October 21 – Houston, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
October 23 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center
October 25 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
October 28 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
October 29 – Allentown, PA – PPL Center
June 2, 2022 – West Palm Beach, FL – Coral Sky Amphitheatre
June 3, 2022 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
June 5, 2022 – Jacksonville, FL – Daily’s Place
June 7, 2022 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
June 8, 2022 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
June 10, 2022 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
June 11, 2022 – Raleigh, NC – Walnut Creek Amphitheatre
June 13, 2022 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater
June 14, 2022 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
June 16, 2022 – Saratoga Springs, NY – SPAC
June 18, 2022 – Darien Center, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater
June 19, 2022 – Syracuse, NY – St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater
June 21, 2022 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
June 23, 2022 – Camden, NJ – BB&T Pavilion
June 25, 2022 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
June 26, 2022 – Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion
June 29, 2022 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
June 30, 2022 – London, ON – Budweiser Gardens