Some Things You Didn't Know About The Doobies
Coming off our recent brief discussion on yacht rock, I thought I'd share a few tidbits about a popular Bay area band since the 70s. The Doobies are in line for an induction in the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame this year (have been eligible) since 1995, and because of that, I felt it would be great to write a post on a few tidbits about them.
They're not a "family."
This is a big one folks, but many assume just because of bands like the Isley Brothers, the Doobie Brothers must also be a musical family; however, the contrary is true.
The real truth is that a friend recommended the name "Doobie Brothers" to Tom Johnston - a "doobie" being a naruijuana cigarette.
And speaking of which, Patrick Simmons has said that the name "Doobie Brothers," was only meant to be a temporary name until they came up with something better, but as we all know, they never did...
They're from San Jose.
That's right. Most Bay Area bands of the day came from San Francisco; however, the Doobes did not follow that rule and actually, hail from its "next-door neighbor," San Jose.
They're one of few to use two drummers
Few bands have ever used tow drummers in their careers - the only others I can think of are Yes - and for a short time in the early 90s. The Doobies themselves toyed with the idea of an extra drummer in the summer of 1971 for the tour. While making their second LP, Tulouse Street (1972), the band added US Navy Veteran Michael Hossack. Since then the band has always kept the dual-drummer tradition.
And speaking of rhythm section, you can easily hear bass
That's true! During the time of the making of their second LP, original bass player Dave Shogren quit the band over producer Tod Templeton's techniques. Tiran Porter, who replaced Shogren, was an astounding bass player and his bass can be heard on tracks such as Listen to The Music, Long Train Running, and Takin' it to The Streets, among others.
There IS a China Grove
The Doobes' 1973 LP The Captain and Me is known as their international breakthrough. It features, perhaps their signature song, China Grove. As the opening line suggests, China Grove is located around San Antone (there is actually also an unincorporated version of China Grove north of San Antone). Johnston penned the song while the Doobes were riding on a tour bus to a concert in...you guessed it, San Antonio!
By the way, despite its name, China Grove's Chineese population is actually minimum at best. Less than 0.1%.
They had two phases in their heyday
The first phase was between 1969 and 1975. This was the rockier phase featuring hits like the aforementioned China Grove. Their next phase began in late 1975 after Michael McDonald replaced Tom Johnston and the band adopted a blue-eyed soul/yacht rock sound. This lasted untl the band split in 1982.
They never had a keyboard player...before McDonald, that is.
Bill Payne of Little Feat fame plays some keyboards on the early albums (notabely the tinkling piano on China Grove), but he was only really a side man.
They are (loosely?) related to Steely Dan
At one point, the Doobies included Jeff "Skunk" Baxter of Steely Dan fame as well as the aforementioned Michael McDonald.
Their hit "Black Water," has...a fiddle!
An unusual rock instrument, the fiddle is prominent in most classic country songs but less pronounced in rock. However, John McFee plays a mean fiddle solo on Black Water.
Well, those were the big facts about the Doobes. Feel free to cmment if you can think of anything else.
They're not a "family."
This is a big one folks, but many assume just because of bands like the Isley Brothers, the Doobie Brothers must also be a musical family; however, the contrary is true.
The real truth is that a friend recommended the name "Doobie Brothers" to Tom Johnston - a "doobie" being a naruijuana cigarette.
And speaking of which, Patrick Simmons has said that the name "Doobie Brothers," was only meant to be a temporary name until they came up with something better, but as we all know, they never did...
They're from San Jose.
That's right. Most Bay Area bands of the day came from San Francisco; however, the Doobes did not follow that rule and actually, hail from its "next-door neighbor," San Jose.
They're one of few to use two drummers
Few bands have ever used tow drummers in their careers - the only others I can think of are Yes - and for a short time in the early 90s. The Doobies themselves toyed with the idea of an extra drummer in the summer of 1971 for the tour. While making their second LP, Tulouse Street (1972), the band added US Navy Veteran Michael Hossack. Since then the band has always kept the dual-drummer tradition.
And speaking of rhythm section, you can easily hear bass
That's true! During the time of the making of their second LP, original bass player Dave Shogren quit the band over producer Tod Templeton's techniques. Tiran Porter, who replaced Shogren, was an astounding bass player and his bass can be heard on tracks such as Listen to The Music, Long Train Running, and Takin' it to The Streets, among others.
There IS a China Grove
The Doobes' 1973 LP The Captain and Me is known as their international breakthrough. It features, perhaps their signature song, China Grove. As the opening line suggests, China Grove is located around San Antone (there is actually also an unincorporated version of China Grove north of San Antone). Johnston penned the song while the Doobes were riding on a tour bus to a concert in...you guessed it, San Antonio!
By the way, despite its name, China Grove's Chineese population is actually minimum at best. Less than 0.1%.
They had two phases in their heyday
The first phase was between 1969 and 1975. This was the rockier phase featuring hits like the aforementioned China Grove. Their next phase began in late 1975 after Michael McDonald replaced Tom Johnston and the band adopted a blue-eyed soul/yacht rock sound. This lasted untl the band split in 1982.
They never had a keyboard player...before McDonald, that is.
Bill Payne of Little Feat fame plays some keyboards on the early albums (notabely the tinkling piano on China Grove), but he was only really a side man.
They are (loosely?) related to Steely Dan
At one point, the Doobies included Jeff "Skunk" Baxter of Steely Dan fame as well as the aforementioned Michael McDonald.
Their hit "Black Water," has...a fiddle!
An unusual rock instrument, the fiddle is prominent in most classic country songs but less pronounced in rock. However, John McFee plays a mean fiddle solo on Black Water.
Well, those were the big facts about the Doobes. Feel free to cmment if you can think of anything else.
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