Artist:The Doobie Brothers
Song:Black Water
Album:The Very Best of the Doobie Brothers
The Doobie Brothers were one of the most successful bands of the 70s. So it may surprise you that the 1975 single Black Water was their first #1 hit and the only #1 hit by the original version of the band. They were formed in 1970 in San Jose, CA. Drummer John Hartman came to California to join a Moby Grape reunion that never happened. But Moby Grape's Skip Spence introduced Hartman to singer, songwriter and guitarist Tom Johnston. At first they were a trio and they called themselves Pud. Then singer, songwriter and guitarist Patrick Simmons and bassist Dave Shogren joined. Johnston and Simmons wrote most of the songs and shared lead vocals. They couldn't seem to come up with a decent band name until The Doobie Brothers was suggested because Johnston was always smoking weed. Simmons said the name was only temporary. But they started getting a following in Northern California and that led to a Warner Bros. record deal. Ted Templeman formerly of Harpers Bizarre was a staff producer at Warner Bros. They added a second drummer Michael Hosseck. And Shogren had a disagreement with Templeman and was replaced by Tiran Porter. They had their commercial breakthrough with the 1972 album Toulouse Street and the single Listen to the Music. They had success for the next couple of years mostly as an album and touring band. Bill Payne of Little Feat was brought in to play keyboards but he was never a member of The Doobie Brothers. Hosseck left in 1973 and was replaced by Keith Knudsen. Then they brought Steely Dan guitarist Jeff "Skunk" Baxter after Steely Dan quit touring. And that brings us to the 1975 album What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits. Most of the album songs were written by either Simmons or Johnston. Simmons wrote Black Water and sang lead. It was The Doobie Brothers' first #1 hit. Black Water was first released as the B side for the 1974 single Another Park, Another Sunday. When Black Water started to pick up steam, Templeman had Warners release it as an A side. And that's when it topped the charts. Black Water is a tribute to New Orleans. Templeman thought it was too acoustic to be an A side. What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits was certified 2XPlatinum. This 2CD comp covers The Doobie Brothers entire history. But Johnston was having health problems and was forced to leave The Doobie Brothers. Former Steely Dan keyboardist Michael McDonald was brought in to replace Johnston as singer and songwriter. McDonald would soon become the main singer for The Doobie Brothers and they had great success with the 1979 album Minute by Minute. So The Doobie Brothers became a different band led by McDonald. Simmons and Johnston both went solo. But neither was successful. Then McDonald went solo and The Doobie Brothers split up in 1982. The Doobie Brothers reformed in 1989 with the album Cycles. Johnston and Simmons returned. Johnston was lead singer on most of the album. They recorded two albums for Capitol. A version of the band still tours with McDonald, Simmons and Johnston in the band. At this point they are a nostalgia act. Here's the video for Black Water by The Doobie Brothers.
In 1979, I saw them at a small venue called Castle Farms. It was the first live concert I went to. I loved it. They played Black Water and many other songs and they were so good! It was one of the few good memories I have of the late 70's I have Frank. I still have many of their songs. Thank you for the Bio, Frank. David.
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