The Doobie Brothers With Michael McDonald Bring 50th Anniversary Tour To The Forum (SHOW REVIEW/PHOTOS)

The Doobie Brothers’ 50th-anniversary tour was scheduled to take place in 2020, but the pandemic delayed those big plans. The overdue tour finally kicked off in July 2021 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band hit The Forum in Los Angeles on October 9. Michael McDonald, Pat Simmons, Tom Johnston, and John McFee are back on the road together for the first time in 25 years. These core band members, along with a few additional special musicians, delivered a memorable, 29 song performance at The Forum that spanned the bands’ prolific catalog of classic tunes.

John Cowan (bass, vocals), Marc Russo (saxophones), Ed Toth (drums), Bill Payne (keyboards), and Marc Quiñones (percussion) completed the group on this tour adding layered nuances to its colorful California sound. Payne is a founding member of the band Little Feat while Quiñones spent many years in the Allman Brothers Band so the pedigree on stage was first-rate.

McDonald sat behind electronic keyboards and was featured on lead vocals for several of the songs. His voice has gotten huskier but is still the epitome of ‘70s yacht rock. Early in the show, after belting out “You Belong To Me,” McDonald said, “it’s such a great thrill to be back on the road with my old friends.” He also did a great job vocally and on the keys for “It Keeps You Running.”

Simmons also led on vocals for several songs. He sang a fine version of “Eyes of Silver” that also featured a fantastic sax solo by Russo. Simmons did band intros after the song and Johnston dedicated “World Gone Crazy” to the city of New Orleans, where “the band has many fond memories and we feel terrible about how much they have suffered.” Payne played a distinctive piano intro for the song while McDonald played accordion as Johnston sang lead. McFee, Quiñones, and Cowan all joined for beautiful harmonies that continued throughout the set. 

The nearly three-hour Forum show was a long, winding trip down memory lane as they played all of their hits, several deep tracks, and two new songs from their just-released new album “Liberte.” The first new song they played is called “Better Days” with Simmons on lead vocals. It could easily be mistaken for an Eagles tune with a twangy, soft rock vibe. In contrast, “Don’t You Mess With Me” sounds like the hard-charging guitar rockers the band is known for.  

The second half of the show was a string of greatest hits. McDonald sang intensely on “Minute By Minute” with the other members joining for the chorus. Simmons rocked out on vocals and played a colorful guitar solo for“Jesus Is Just Alright.” Johnston was back on lead with great harmonies during “Rockin Down the Highway.” McDonald took over again for the distinctive “What A Fool Believes” that saw him and Payne hammering out the dual keyboard leads.

Johnston led “Long Train Running” as McFee played harmonica and Russo played a wonderful sax solo. Quiñones and Toth got to show off as they did a lengthy drum and percussion duet. The set-closing “China Grove” featured McFee’s impeccable lead guitar as Johnston sang, but once again, everyone else harmonized.

The band did a three-song encore that had everyone in the crowd on their feet. It started with “Black Water” with Simmons on acoustic guitar for the familiar riff as McFee played violin and McDonald played mandolin.  The interplay between Simmons’ guitar and McFee’s violin was tremendous. McDonald and the band laid down their signature sound with the soulful “Takin’ It To The Streets” before Johnston grabbed the helm for the show-closing “Listen To The Music.”

After 50 plus years, The Doobie Brothers still offer what few bands rarely offer these days: lengthy setlists, ace musicianship, and a delicate mix of hard and soft rock that continually propels the band’s popularity. 

Live photos courtesy of Andy J. Gordon ©2021.