Frontman Records With Classic '70s Rock Band For First Time in 45 Years
An iconic 1970s rock band announced this week that they reunited in the studio with their former frontman, 45 years since the last time they all recorded an album together.
The Doobie Brothers dropped a new album called Walk This Road on Friday, June 6, and they brought back the iconic Michael McDonald, who was last with the band full-time for the 1980 album One Step Closer.
McDonald was a lead vocalist for the Doobie Brothers from 1975 to 1982, then appeared with the band sporadically over the years, but has not been on one of their albums since One Step Closer. The 73-year-old Hall of Fame vocalist also famously performed with Steely Dan, Toto, Christopher Cross and Kenny Loggins.
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McDonald reunites with Doobie Brothers founding members Patrick Simmons (guitar, lead/backing vocals), Tom Johnston (guitar, piano, lead/backing vocals) and John McFee (guitar, steel guitar, backing vocals) to go on tour starting August 4 in order to promote Walk This Road, their 16th studio album.
The album also features Mavis Staples and Mick Fleetwood. You can pre-order the 10-track album here.
In an interview, McDonald told USA Today that times sure have changed in the recording studio due to all of the technological advances.
"The technology has changed, for better or worse… The new procedure is interesting. As you're writing the song, you're recording it into a file, and that is the basis you use for the track, even if it's just a feeling," said McDonald. "So it's kind of fun to feel like the song hasn't had to morph into something else. Some of my fondest memories of being in the studio are the first time I heard the band play 'Takin' It To the Streets.' I was like, wow! When the band started playing it, it took on a whole new life.
RELATED: Rock Icon, 78, Being Honored by Trisha Yearwood and James Taylor in Concert
About the upcoming tour, Simmons told USA Today that they do realize they are in the 70s now and that makes performing live and the grind of a tour a bit harder, but they've been preparing for it.
"I've got a hill I live on and walk it several times a day, and am always working on a project. Not that that counts as calisthenics. But I try to always stay in motion and on the road try to get out and walk every day. We're all in our 70s now. I used to think that was old. I do feel it, but it's hard to believe we're out here doing it at this age, and in my head, I'm still 16. You have to think beyond your age. It's a life adventure," said Simmons.
The Doobie Brothers released a string of hits starting in 1972. They are best known for "Listen to the Music," "Jesus Is Just Alright," "Long Train Running'", "China Grove," "Black Water," "Takin' It to the Streets" and "What a Fool Believes."
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Later this summer, McDonald, Johnston and Simmons will all be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in the Performing Songwriters category.
Frontman Records With Classic '70s Rock Band For First Time in 45 Years first appeared on Parade on Jun 6, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
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