In what’s been a massive few weeks for reunion announcements, The Doobie Brothers joined in the fun when they rolled out dates for a 2020 50th-anniversary tour that will see former keyboardist-singer, Michael McDonald perform with the band for the first time since 1995. The band announced the news to a crowd of fans during a show in Nashville on November 18th, when McDonald joined them for the final encore of “Takin’ It To The Streets.”
While McDonald wasn’t an original Doobie (he joined in 1976 when original singer Tom Johnston was sidelined by health issues) he was certainly instrumental in keeping the hot streak running by contributing “Takin’ It To The Streets,” “What A Fool Believes,” “Real Love,” and “Minute By Minute.”
Michael McDonald with The Doobie Brothers | “I Keep Forgettin'” [Live 1982]
After recording their 1980 LP One Step Closer and a farewell tour two years later, McDonald released his solo debut If That’s What It Takes and the lead single “I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near)” was takin over the radio. In the video above, you can see the Doobies playing it at their final concert on September 11th, 1982, at L.A.’s Greek Theatre.
McDonald has popped up at their gigs a handful of times over the years, but this tour next year is a major event in Doobie history and, quite likely, the last chance fans will have to see Johnston and McDonald onstage at the same time. At this stage, there’s no word as to whether The Doobie Brothers’ anniversary tour will make its way down to Australia yet, but we will definitely keep you posted!
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