Yahoo LAUNCHCAST Song Of The Day-The Doobie Brothers

Artist:The Doobie Brothers

Song:Takin' It To The Streets

Album:The Best Of The Doobies

The Doobie Brothers were one of the most popular bands of the 70s. The 1976 hit Takin' It To The Streets signaled a shift from straight ahead rock to blue eyed soul due to a specific personnel change. The group started in California when Moby Grape's Skip Spence introduced guitarist/vocalist Tom Johnston (born Aug. 15, 1948 in Visalia, CA) & drummer John Hartman. Their band Pud didn't last long but they started jamming with guitarist Patrick Simmons (born Oct. 19, 1948 in Aberdeen, WA) & bassist John Shogren. The name The Doobie Brothers is an obvious weed reference. They signed with Warner Bros. in 1970. Their 1971 debut didn't sell. They added second drummer Michael Hossack and Tiran Porter replaced Shogren. Their 1972 album Toulouse Street spawned Listen To The Music which began a long string of hits. The group started to change when Steely Dan guitarist Jeff "Skunk" Baxter (born Dec. 13, 1948 in Washington) joined the band in 1975. He brought keyboardist/vocalist Michael McDonald (born Feb. 12, 1952 in St. Louis) with him. He replaced Johnston when Johnston was hospitalized with a stomach ailment. He also replaced Johnston as the group's primary songwriter and the 1976 album Takin' It To The Streets signaled a change to the kind of blue eyed soul McDonald enjoyed performing. The musical change certainly didn't hurt the band and the album went platinum. The 1979 album Minute By Minute was even bigger. Johnston's return to the band was unsuccessful and he left to go solo. McDonald left to go solo in 1982 and then Johnston returned permanently. This 1976 comp covers The Doobie Brothers early material and I would recommend the more comprehensive 2001 Greatest Hits comp instead. The Doobie Brothers left Warners for Capitol in the 80s and faded out. But Johnston & Simmons still lead a version of The Doobie Brothers today. They last recorded in 2004. Here's The Doobie Brothers performing Takin' It To The Streets in 1979.