From a San Jose quartet to changing singers, a farewell and a reunion, the Doobie Brothers repeatedly reshaped their band. Follow the records, musicians and milestones, then compare documented lineup snapshots.
Fontainebleau Las Vegas lists nine Doobie Brothers shows at its BleauLive Theater between February and September 2027, with tickets on sale. These are scheduled performances. The earlier 2026 tour announcement does not establish which of those concerts took place.
Compare dated records of the band. These snapshots describe different settings, from a founding lineup to a reunion ensemble and an album quartet. They do not chart continuous membership or establish when anyone joined or left.
Choose a lineup to see the names, roles and supporting records.
1970
The four musicians named in Rhino's account of the band taking its name.
1976
Performers credited on this recording, including additional musicians. This is a track personnel list, not a band-membership roster or the full album credits.
1987
A special reunion ensemble, not the permanent lineup of every later tour or album. Roles follow Rhino's account.
19 Nov 2019
The four featured members named in the tour announcement. The tour itself began in 2021. This is not a complete list of touring musicians.
6 Jun 2025
The album's named quartet. Additional players and guest singer Mavis Staples also contribute. This is not the complete recording personnel.
| Performer | 1970 · The founding band | 1976 · Takin' It to the Streets track credits | 1987 · The veterans-benefit reunion | 2019 · The announced anniversary quartet | 2025 · Walk This Road core quartet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Johnston | Singer and guitarist | Guitar | Singer | Featured band member | Named album band member |
| John Hartman | Drummer | Drums, percussion and backing vocals | Percussionist | Not listed in this snapshot | Not listed in this snapshot |
| Dave Shogren | Bassist | Not listed in this snapshot | Not listed in this snapshot | Not listed in this snapshot | Not listed in this snapshot |
| Patrick Simmons | Guitarist | Guitar and vocals, credited as Pat Simmons | Singer and guitarist | Featured band member | Named album band member |
| Keith Knudsen | Not listed in this snapshot | Drums, backing vocals and percussion | Drummer and reunion organizer | Not listed in this snapshot | Not listed in this snapshot |
| Michael McDonald | Not listed in this snapshot | Vocals, keyboards and piano | Singer | Featured band member | Named album band member |
| The Memphis Horns | Not listed in this snapshot | Trumpet, saxophones and trombone | Not listed in this snapshot | Not listed in this snapshot | Not listed in this snapshot |
| Tiran Porter | Not listed in this snapshot | Vocals and bass guitar | Bassist | Not listed in this snapshot | Not listed in this snapshot |
| Bobby LaKind | Not listed in this snapshot | Congas | Percussionist | Not listed in this snapshot | Not listed in this snapshot |
| Jeff Baxter | Not listed in this snapshot | Guitar, credited as Skunk Baxter | Guitarist | Not listed in this snapshot | Not listed in this snapshot |
| Ted Templeman | Not listed in this snapshot | Percussion | Not listed in this snapshot | Not listed in this snapshot | Not listed in this snapshot |
| Jesse Butler | Not listed in this snapshot | Organ | Not listed in this snapshot | Not listed in this snapshot | Not listed in this snapshot |
| John McFee | Not listed in this snapshot | Not listed in this snapshot | Guitarist | Featured band member | Named album band member |
| Cornelius Bumpus | Not listed in this snapshot | Not listed in this snapshot | Saxophonist | Not listed in this snapshot | Not listed in this snapshot |
| Michael Hossack | Not listed in this snapshot | Not listed in this snapshot | Drummer | Not listed in this snapshot | Not listed in this snapshot |
| Chet McCracken | Not listed in this snapshot | Not listed in this snapshot | Drummer | Not listed in this snapshot | Not listed in this snapshot |
26 events shown
Tom Johnston, John Hartman, Dave Shogren and Patrick Simmons form the San Jose band. Rhino distinguishes their 1970 Doobie Brothers identity from Johnston and Hartman's earlier group, Pud.
The quartet releases The Doobie Brothers on Warner Bros. The record introduces Nobody, but the band's commercial breakthrough is still ahead.
Toulouse Street is the band's first album to feature bassist Tiran Porter, who replaced Dave Shogren, and second drummer Michael Hossack alongside John Hartman. The album includes Listen to the Music.
The next album includes Long Train Runnin' and China Grove, extending the band's early Warner Bros. catalogue.
What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits includes Patrick Simmons' Black Water, which becomes the band's first number-one single. This date marks the album, not the single's later chart peak.
Guitarist Jeff Baxter joins the Doobie Brothers after playing in Steely Dan.
An attributed statement records what the speaker said.
Singer and keyboardist Michael McDonald initially joins as a temporary replacement for Tom Johnston.
An attributed statement records what the speaker said.
Produced by Ted Templeman, the album brings McDonald's voice and songwriting forward. He writes the title song and It Keeps You Runnin'. Guitarist Jeff Baxter had recommended him.
Minute by Minute includes What a Fool Believes, written by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins. The album becomes central to the band's Grammy recognition.
John McFee joins after Jeff Baxter leaves, bringing another multi-instrumentalist into the band.
An attributed statement records what the speaker said.
The Recording Academy awards the Doobie Brothers Record of the Year for What a Fool Believes and Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus for Minute by Minute.
An attributed statement records what the speaker said.
The band releases One Step Closer with producer Ted Templeman. Rhino identifies John McFee on guitar, Keith Knudsen on drums and Cornelius Bumpus on saxophone in the reworked lineup.
The band disbands after its Farewell Tour. A live double album follows in 1983, before the 1987 reunion.
An attributed statement records what the speaker said.
Drummer Keith Knudsen brings past members together to benefit the Vietnam Veterans Aid Foundation. Tom Johnston and Michael McDonald both participate. The enlarged reunion ensemble leads to further shows.
An attributed statement records what the speaker said.
Cycles follows the reunion, with Tom Johnston returning to the band's recording story. The album includes The Doctor.
The band releases Brotherhood on Capitol, continuing the studio catalogue after its reunion.
Sibling Rivalry is released after almost a decade without a new studio album.
The band works again with longtime producer Ted Templeman on World Gone Crazy.
Southbound joins the band's catalogue through Sony Music Nashville.
Michael McDonald's official announcement names Tom Johnston, Patrick Simmons and John McFee alongside him for a planned anniversary tour. This is the announcement, not the tour's eventual start.
An attributed statement records what the speaker said.
The band enters the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Its anniversary tour, originally planned for 2020, is postponed to 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
An attributed statement records what the speaker said.
The band dates its anniversary tour reunion with Michael McDonald to 2021. The tour later encourages new recordings.
An attributed statement records what the speaker said.
Liberté arrives through Island Records. Johnston and Simmons work with producer John Shanks, who later produces Walk This Road.
Patrick Simmons, Tom Johnston, John McFee and Michael McDonald release Walk This Road. Producer John Shanks works with the band, and Mavis Staples guests on the title track.
The Songwriters Hall of Fame inducts Tom Johnston, Michael McDonald and Patrick Simmons. The honor names these three writers, rather than every past or present band member.
An attributed statement records what the speaker said.
Live Nation announces September and October Walk This Road dates, following planned summer shows with Carlos Santana. The announcement is evidence of the itinerary, not confirmation that every concert took place.
An attributed statement records what the speaker said.
Apple Music · music.apple.comCoverage through 24 March 2026. Editorial review: 4 November 2026. Spotted an error? See corrections. Copyright concerns: report an asset. Every event links to its sources. Source type does not establish whether a claim is true.