- The Doobie Brothers – 50th Anniversary Tour
- Starlight Theater
- Kansas City, Missouri
Some of my fondest musical memories came courtesy of the Doobie Brothers. I still remember the episode of “What’s Happening!” where the boys got caught sneaking a tape recorder into one of the band’s concerts. My high school kitchen band – that’s where we rehearsed – used to do a kick ass version of “China Grove.” When he was younger, my son and his mother used to sing along to “Black Water” every day on the ride to school. And I loved how almost every photo of Tom Johnston in the mid-70s showed him wearing a “Jaws” t-shirt! The band went from being big to being HUGE once Michael McDonald came on board, with the band winning four Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year for “What a Fool Believes.” Like most bands, the members eventually went their seperate ways and I’ve seen both the Doobies and Michael McDonald in the past. But never todgether. Until now!
Kicking off their amazing (24) song set with “Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While),” the band took myself and a sold out Starlight Theater crowd on an amazing trip down memory lane. The vocals were solid and the music was tight, as 50-years of music poured over the willing crowd who sang along at every chance.
Other well known songs, including “You Belong to Me,” “It Keeps You Runnin’,” and “Takin’ It to the Streets” were mixed in with great album cuts like “South City Midnight Lady” and “Eyes of Silver” kept the crowd up on their feet and dancing all night. Other highlights included a rousing version of “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” with McDonald at his most soulful and a great cover of Steely Dan’s “Pretzel Logic.”
Besides founding member Patrick Simmons, along with long time Doobie’s McDonald and John McFee, the band included long time touring members John Cowan on bass and the amazing Marc Russo on the saxophone.
The Doobie Brother’s 50th Anniversary Tour runs at least through October. For tickets and tour information please click HERE!
SET LIST: Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While), Here to Love You, Dependin’ on You, Rockin’ Down the Highway, Neal’s Fandango, You Belong to Me, Slack Key Soquel Rag, South City Midnight Lady, Clear as the Driven Snow, It Keeps You Runnin’, Eyes of Silver, I Heard it Through the Grapevine, Better Days, Real Love, Minute by Minute, Without You, Jesus is Just Alright, What a Fool Believes, Long Train Runnin’, China Grove ENCORE: Black Water, Takin’ It to the Streets, Listen to the Music, Pretzel Logic.
Readers, I errantly identified Patrick Simmons as Tom Johnston. This was pointed out to me by a reader who went on to call my review “false” because I failed to mention that Tom Johnston was not on the tour due to health reasons. It was not my intention to mislead anyone, just a simple mistake. The review remains the same…it was a great show!