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The Daily Insight

Did Michael McDonald play with the Doobie Brothers?

Author

William Smith

Updated on April 05, 2026

Michael McDonald (born February 12, 1952) is an American musician, singer-songwriter, keyboardist, and record producer known for his distinctive, soulful voice and as a member of the bands the Doobie Brothers (1975–1982, 1987, 2019–present) and Steely Dan (1974).

Why is Michael McDonald not on the new Doobie Brothers album?

Michael McDonald was absent from last night’s Doobie Brothers performance due to an unidentified illness. After announcing before the show that McDonald would not be joining the band as scheduled, the Doobie Brothers addressed the issue early in their set.

How many years was Michael McDonald with the Doobie Brothers?

The much-ballyhooed return of Michael McDonald to the Doobie Brothers after 26 years got short-circuited Tuesday due to what a band member indicated was a case of COVID-19.

Who was the lead singer for the Doobie Brothers?

Tom Johnston
The Doobie Brothers were one of the most popular bands in America when Michael McDonald joined their ranks in 1975. Frontman Tom Johnston had just departed due to medical issues and they wanted someone to contribute to the harmonies and add keyboards into the mix.

Who is opening for the Doobie Brothers in 2021?

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
The band will make 49 stops across North America, kicking off August 22, 2021 in Des Moines, IA and ending on June 30, 2022 in London, ON. Special guests, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band will be supporting The Doobie Brothers on all tour dates.

Who is the lead singer of Doobie Brothers?

The Doobie Brothers are an American rock band from San Jose, California. Formed in the fall of 1970, the group was originally a quartet which featured lead vocalist and guitarist Tom Johnston, guitarist and second vocalist Patrick Simmons, bassist Dave Shogren and drummer John Hartman.

Were the Doobie Brothers really related?

The Doobie “Brothers” aren’t even related to each other .

Were the Doobie Brothers really brothers?

The Doobie Brothers are really two different bands — three, if you count the group that’s soldiered on without Michael McDonald since the late ’80s. The first were sort of a post- Woodstock group of long-haired jam freaks that played a mix of Dead-inspired roots music, twangy country rock, biker boogie and old-fashioned three-chord guitar rock.

What bands did Michael McDonald play in?

Michael McDonald was born on February 12, 1952, into an Irish American Catholic family in Ferguson , Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis. McDonald attended McCluer High School, where he played in local bands including Mike and the Majestics, Jerry Jay and the Sheratons, the Reeb-Toors/Younger Brothers, and the Guild.