Latest news with #TheDoobieBrothers
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
The Doobie Brothers can still stir up a bit of naughtiness
If a concert can be measured by how quickly a seated audience rises as one to dance, at the O2 Arena on Saturday night, The Doobie Brothers left things a little late. The crowd that more-or-less filled the venue's lower bowl – the top deck was curtained off – responded with only warm applause to the first dozen songs of a 19-song set. But as keyboardist and co-vocalist Michael McDonald struck up What A Fool Believes, a US number one in 1979, the atmosphere changed in an instant. Suddenly, the crowd were up and at 'em. Half an hour later, as the eight-piece band closed their account with Takin' It to the Streets and Listen to the Music, in section 112, I even detected the distinctive aroma of marijuana. The scene may not have rivalled the days in the early 1970s when The Doobie Brothers were beloved of North Californian chapters of the Hells Angels, but at least they can still inspire a little bit of misbehaviour. Melding hard-rock riffs, Latin rhythms, blue-eyed soul, and the musicianship of a great jam-band, their music defies categorisation. For this final date on the Doobie Brothers' UK tour, even the visuals were rather odd: a static stage backdrop featuring trees and fields and mountains made them look as though there were performing in front of a box containing the world's biggest jigsaw puzzle. The production, with its minimalist lighting rig, was easily the smallest I've ever seen at the O2. Nevertheless, the songs filled the room with unerring ease. As befits a group bearing two members who look like wizards, when it comes to superlative musical alchemy, the Doobie Brothers are in a league with Steely Dan, Little Feat and The Allman Brothers Band. Somehow, they manage to combine three lead guitarists and four lead vocalists without once stepping on each other's toes. They can sing five -part harmonies. Watching in wonder as they swerved from Bossa Nova (Dependin' on You) to American roots rock (Rockin' Down the Highway) to light jazz (a tastefully stripped-down version of Amazing Grace), I could only marvel at the virtuosity of it all. With the music doing all the talking, between songs, the group's rapport with the room stuttered like a nervous teenager on a first date. Time and again, the audience at the O2 were told how much their attendance was appreciated and how, you know, amazing it was for the band to be playing in London once more. For an outfit that has been performing live, off and on, for more than half a century, the almost total absence of quality chat was so inexplicable as to be strangely charming. As the night entered its final throw, however, The Doobie Brothers at last found their speaking voice. In a summer in which British audiences have already seen Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder and Green Day all publicly address the goings on in the United States, Patrick Simmons, one of the band's founding members, spoke of his pleasure that the international tour 'had got us the hell out of' America. 'We believe in inclusivity, we believe in NATO, we believe in all of that stuff,' he said. Faint though it may have been, for a moment at least, 'the Doobies' showed just a glimpse of their old countercultural edge. Evidently, there's life in the old gods yet.
Miami Herald
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Doobie Brothers Rocker, 76, Gives Fans Exclusive Glimpse Backstage on Tour
The iconic 70s rock band The Doobie Brothers are currently on tour - and founding guitarist Patrick Simmons gave fans an exclusive glimpse backstage at their latest stop, the Co-Op Live in Manchester, England. The band played the venue on July 15, and that day, they took to their Instagram stories to share a video of Simmons, 76, walking around backstage before posing with a drawn version of himself featured on a poster for this particular show on the band's current tour, titled the "Walk the Road" tour. In the video, Simmons - who plays guitar and banjo, as well as providing vocals, for the group - can be seen smiling and making silly faces as he poses for what appears to be some photos. He even took his round glasses off for some shots to better match his drawn counterpart, who features on the poster without spectacles like Simmons sometimes wears. The Doobie Brothers are currently on tour in Europe, traversing the United Kingdom and Ireland for another week before bringing the tour back home stateside for August and most of September. Their next gig will take place in Birmingham, England at the PB Pulse Live Arena on July 17 and their last scheduled date on their website is at the Budweiser Stage in Toronto, Canada on September 18. The band was formed in San Jose, California in 1970 with an original lineup of Tom Johnston, Patrick Simmons, John Hartman, and Dave Shogren. In 1975, Michael McDonald joined the group to sub in for Johnston while he was dealing with health issues - but McDonald, 73, ended up being a key component who would stick with the band until 1982. He returned to the band in 2019 and is playing on the tour alongside Simmons, Johnston, 76, and John McFee. The band released their latest album, Walk the Road, early last month. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
A London music festival cancels its final night after ELO's Jeff Lynne pulls out
LONDON -- A two-week-long music festival in central London has cancelled its final night after Jeff Lynne's Electric Light Orchestra pulled out of the headline slot on Sunday. Lynne, 77, who was billed to play alongside his band Sunday at the The BST Hyde Park festival, withdrew on Saturday on the advice of doctors as a result of what was termed a 'systemic infection." In a statement, the festival organizers said the event will 'sadly be cancelled' and that ticket holders will be refunded and contacted directly by their ticket agent with further details. Stevie Wonder will be taking to the London stage on Saturday evening in what will now be the festival's final event of 2025. This year's festival, which started on June 27, hosted the likes of Olivia Rodrigo, Van Morrison and Neil Young. U.S. rock band The Doobie Brothers and Steve Winwood were among those slated to perform on Sunday ahead of ELO's headline performance. In an earlier statement, BST said Lynne was 'heartbroken' to report that he could not perform. 'Jeff has been battling a systemic infection and is currently in the care of a team of doctors who have advised him that performing is simply not possible at this time nor will he be able to reschedule," the statement read. 'The legacy of the band and his longtime fans are foremost in Jeff's mind today — and while he is so sorry that he cannot perform, he knows that he must focus on his health and rehabilitation at this time," it added. It comes after the band, best known for 'Mr Blue Sky,' pulled out of a performance at Manchester's Co-Op Live on July 10. The band was formed in Birmingham in 1970 by Lynne, multi-instrumentalist Roy Wood and drummer Bev Bevan, and first split in 1986. ELO are known for fusing classical music, Beatles-style pop and futuristic rock visuals, and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017. Lynne resurrected the band in 2014.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'70s Rock Royalty, Known for Their Harmonies and Dual Drummers, Get Their Due: 'It's About Time'
'70s Rock Royalty, Known for Their Harmonies and Dual Drummers, Get Their Due: 'It's About Time' originally appeared on Parade. , the iconic voices behind a generation's soundtrack, officially received one of music's highest honors on Thursday, cementing their legacy at the 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. While the night in New York City was a long-overdue industry acknowledgment, for fans, it was a moment of celebration and vindication that flooded social media with resounding approval. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 For decades, devoted followers of the band have championed their songwriting prowess, and their reactions to the induction were swift and emotional. Across Instagram, fans declared the honor was "so well deserved" and "about time." Some also shared personal anecdotes of attending the band's concerts. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Doobie Brothers (@doobiebrothersofficial) The evening saw the band's core architects—Tom Johnston, Patrick Simmons, and Michael McDonald—attend the prestigious event. The Doobie Brothers' career saw two distinct, yet equally successful, eras. The first, led by Johnston's gritty, rock-infused vocals, produced timeless anthems like "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove." When Michael McDonald joined in the mid-70s, his smooth, soulful voice and sophisticated keyboard work ushered in a new chapter of success with Grammy-winning hits that defined the California sound, including "Takin' It to the Streets." The band's ability to not only survive but thrive through such a significant musical evolution is a testament to the strength of their songwriting. Their induction places them among the pantheon of the world's most legendary songwriters. Sharing the honor at the 2025 ceremony were fellow inductees whose contributions have profoundly shaped the musical landscape: funk music icon George Clinton, prolific country songwriter Ashley Gorley, Grammy-winning producer and songwriter Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, co-founder and chief lyricist of the Beach Boys Mike Love, and acclaimed British songwriter Tony Macaulay. The evening celebrated the diverse and enduring legacies of these artists, whose work has left an indelible mark on popular music. '70s Rock Royalty, Known for Their Harmonies and Dual Drummers, Get Their Due: 'It's About Time' first appeared on Parade on Jun 13, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
The Independent
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Living Colour opens 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame to honor new inductee George Clinton
The funk rock group Living Colour opened an energetic 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame Thursday night with a cover of Funkadelic's 'Cosmic Slop' to honor new inductee George Clinton. It set the tone for an event with a lot to celebrate, and even more to remember. Just one day after it was announced that the inimitable Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys had died, his bandmate Mike Love will be inducted into the 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame. The gala, held at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City Thursday night, also features inductees spanning genre, an inspiring mix of funk, rock, R&B, country and beyond: The Doobie Brothers, Ashley Gorley, Rodney 'Darkchild' Jerkins and Tony Macaulay. Is there funk without George Clinton? Is there groove? From Parliament/Funkadelic to his solo work, Clinton is an innovator of American popular music — a long-overdue inductee heard on timeless hits (like 'Atomic Dog' and 'Give Up The Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)' but also across the songs of Kendrick Lamar, Tupac, OutKast, Dr. Dre, Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliot, De La Soul and beyond. Previously, Clinton was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. He received a lifetime achievement award at the Grammys in 2019. The Doobie Brothers — the inducted members are Tom Johnston, Michael McDonald and Patrick Simmons — are known the world over for their rootsy rock 'n' roll, particularly for their No. 1 hits 'What A Fool Believes' and 'Black Water.' They went into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2020. Ashley Gorley is an unmistakable name in the world of country music. Groundbreaking producer Rodney 'Darkchild' Jerkins, whose touch is heard across countless R&B and pop hits, and legendary English songwriter Tony Macaulay, known for such classics as The Foundations' 'Build Me Up Buttercup' and 'Baby Now That I've Found You.' Last year's inductees included Steely Dan, R.E.M., Timbaland, Hillary Lindsey and Dean Pitchford. At the induction ceremony last summer, R.E.M. stunned attendees by reuniting for an acoustic version of their alt-rock hit, 'Losing My Religion.' The Songwriters Hall of Fame was established in 1969 to honor those creating popular music. A songwriter with a notable catalog of songs qualifies for induction 20 years after the first commercial release of a song. Some already in the hall include Gloria Estefan, Carole King, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Brian Wilson, James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Lionel Richie, Bill Withers, Neil Diamond and Phil Collins.
