The Doobie Brothers: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2020 Inductees - Google Arts & Culture (2024)

With hard-rocking rhythms, dual drummer power, and tight three-part vocal harmonies, The Doobie Brothers have been a mainstay in the rock & roll landscape for nearly five decades

The 2020 Inductees Revealed - Celebrate the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's Newest Inductee Class (2020)Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2020 Inductees Revealed

Welcome to the official Class of 2020 Inductees, presented by partner Ernst & Young. Watch and celebrate the eight newest Inductees including in the Performer category Depeche Mode, The Doobie Brothers, Whitney Houston, Nine Inch Nails, The Notorious B.I.G., T. Rex and, for the Ahmet Ertegun Award, both Jon Landau and Irving Azoff.

Doobie BrothersRock & Roll Hall of Fame

The Doobie Brothers

Throughout their career, they have sold over 48 million records and charted five Top 10 singles. Fifty years since their formation, they continue to perform – giving new generations of fans a chance to “Listen to the Music.”The Doobie Brothers are inducted as a performer.

The Doobie Brothers Sticker (c. 1970)Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

The Doobie Brothers Sticker, c. 1970

Pat Simmons relayed how the Doobie Brothers came up with their band name: “Some of us were sitting around the breakfast table of [our] house one morning, sprinkling pot on our cornflakes, smokin’ joints and bein’ crazy."

At that time, whenever anybody said, ‘I wanna smoke a joint,’ they always said, ‘Let’s smoke a doobie.’ And [our roommate] Keith Rosen … said something like, ‘Hey, you guys smoke so many joints, why don’t you just call yourselves the Doobie Brothers?'” [Reproduction]

Tiran Porter of the Doobie Brothers Jacket (c. 1989) by Harley-DavidsonRock & Roll Hall of Fame

Tiran Porter Jacket, c. 1989

Bassist and vocalist Tiran Porter was a member of the Doobie Brothers from 1971 to 1980 and 1987 to 1992. He released a solo album, Playing to an Empty House, in 1995. Porter wore this jacket from 1989, when the Doobie Brothers LPCyclescame out, until about 1995.

Porter recalled that the band was initially overlooked by critics: “After the first LP [The Doobie Brothers, 1971], the only people who seemed to accept us were beer-crazed bikers."

"By the time our second album, Toulouse Street, was released [in 1972], we got a lot of attention because of the single [‘Listen to the Music’], but we were dismissed as hippie hard rockers."

"Then we hit in 1973 with a couple of singles [‘Long Train Runnin'’ and ‘China Grove’] and critics called us Top Forty rock bubble-gum.”

John Hartman of the Doobie Brothers Drumsticks by Sonor PercussionRock & Roll Hall of Fame

John Hartman Drumsticks

Doobie Brothers co-founder John Hartman was initially the sole drummer in the band, but with the addition of Michael Hossack in 1971, the group switched to a dual drummer format, already used by the Grateful Dead and the Allman Brothers Band.

John Hartman of the Doobie Brothers Snare Drum by Sonor PercussionRock & Roll Hall of Fame

John Hartman Snare Drum

John Hartman, who played this drum on tour, first left the Doobie Brothers in 1979, re-joining sporadically until retiring from the group in 1992.

Tom Johnston of the Doobie Brothers Electric Guitar, Gibson SG Special (1970)Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Tom Johnston Electric Guitar, 1970 Gibson SG Special

Guitarist and vocalist TomJohnston first used this guitar during early Doobies jam sessions and during gigs as house band at the Chateau Liberte, a rowdy biker bar in the Santa Cruz mountains. Johnston played the guitar last on the 1972 Toulouse Street Tour.

Johnston recalls, “My early musical influences were wide and varied: Little Richard, Bo Diddley and Jimmy Reed. That morphed into the ‘three Kings’: Freddie, B.B. and Albert [and] eventually…Hendrix and Clapton and Cream, Paul Butterfield, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, etc."

Toulouse Street (1972) by The Doobie BrothersRock & Roll Hall of Fame

Toulouse Street, 1972

The band’s second studio album, Toulouse Street, was the first to feature bassist Tiran Porter, who replaced original bassist Dave Shogren, and second drummer Michael Hossack.

The Captain and Me (1973) by The Doobie BrothersRock & Roll Hall of Fame

The Captain and Me, 1973

The Doobies’ third studio album, The Captain and Me, contained the hits “Long Train Runnin’” and “China Grove,” and reached Number Seven on the U.S. Pop Albums chart.

Tom Johnston of the Doobie Brothers Outfit (1973) by Jumpin’ Jack FlashRock & Roll Hall of Fame

Tom Johnston Outfit, 1973

Johnston wore this suit on the Doobie Brothers’ 1973 tours in support of The Captain and Me LP. Johnston wrote the Doobies’ first big hit, “Listen to the Music,” released in 1972.

“['Listen to the Music'] is one song, probably the only song, that I didn’t change at all once we got it in the studio...I called Ted [Templeman, producer] up...and said, 'You gotta hear this. This song is a hit.' It's the only one I've ever been right about."

The Doobie Brothers Promotional Postcard (1973)Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

The Doobie Brothers Promotional Postcard

This postcard advertised the Doobies’ appearance on the debut episode of Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert on September 27, 1973. The Rolling Stones also performed. [Reproduction]

Patrick Simmons of the Doobie Brothers Suit (c. 1974)Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Patrick Simmons Suit, c. 1974

Vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Pat Simmons wore this custom suit during the Doobie Brothers’ performance at the first Knebworth Festival in England on July 20, 1974.

Patrick Simmons of the Doobie Brothers Suit (c. 1974)Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Patrick Simmons Stage Suit, c. 1974

Patrick Simmons of the Doobie Brothers Boots (c. 1974)Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Patrick Simmons Boots, c. 1974

Simmons, the only consistent member of the Doobie Brothers throughout numerous lineup changes, reflected on the band’s longevity -- they celebrated their fiftieth anniversary in 2020 – saying, “It’s not anything you can forecast or predict."

"It’s just, ‘If we can hold it together long enough to do these gigs we have, maybe we can rethink it down the line.’ That’s been the story of this band: continually rethinking it, reinventing it, recommitting ourselves to it."

Patrick Simmons of the Doobie Brothers Hat (1982) by TempoRock & Roll Hall of Fame

Patrick Simmons Hat, 1982

Simmons wore this hat on the Doobie Brothers Farewell Tour in 1982, after which the group disbanded until 1987. The tour was captured on the 1983 double live album Farewell Tour.

Jeff “Skunk” Baxter of the Doobie Brothers Jacket (1975)Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Jeff “Skunk” Baxter Jacket, 1975

Guitarist Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, a founding member of Steely Dan, joined the Doobies in 1974. He wore this tour jacket on the Warner Brothers Music Show, a 1975 European tour that featured the Doobie Brothers, along with Tower of Power, Little Feat and Montrose, among other acts.

Minute by Minute (1978) by The Doobie BrothersRock & Roll Hall of Fame

Minute by Minute, 1978

The band’s eighth studio album, Minute by Minute, featured the Doobie Brothers’ biggest hit, the Michael McDonald-Kenny Loggins-penned “What a Fool Believes.” The album won the GRAMMY for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.

Michael McDonald of the Doobie Brothers Synthesizer Programmer/Keyboard, Oberheim OBH-8Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Michael McDonald Synthesizer Programmer/Keyboard

Vocalist and keyboardist Michael McDonald initially joined the Doobie Brothers in 1975 as a temporary replacement for Tom Johnston, who left the group to deal with medical issues.

McDonald used this gear on tour and in the studio while recording the hits “ Minute by Minute” and “What a Fool Believes,” the latter of which won GRAMMY awards for Song of the Year and Record of the Year in 1980.

Michael McDonald of the Doobie Brothers Synthesizer, Oberheim Four Voice FVS-1Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Michael McDonald Synthesizer, Oberheim Four Voice FVS-1

Vocalist and keyboardist Michael McDonald used this gear on tour and in the studio. McDonald’s songs, including “Takin’ It to the Streets” and “It Keeps You Runnin’,” brought The Doobie Brothers more mainstream pop fans.

What’s Happening!! Script (1978)Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

What's Happening!! Script, 1978

In 1978, the Doobies made a two-part guest appearance on the ABC sitcom What’s Happening!! “I'd watched the show a few times,” Simmons recalled. " I thought it was hilarious and really liked the character of ‘Rerun’ [Fred Berry]."

"…Because it was a Black situation comedy, I thought it would be an adventurous thing for us to do because our music had always been laced with R&B and soul. Not only would our fans tune in, but it would also expose us to a new audience of people..."

One Step Closer Album Flat (1980) by The Doobie BrothersRock & Roll Hall of Fame

One Step Closer Album Flat, 1980

The Doobie Brothers' ninth studio LP, One Step Closer, was the penultimate album to feature co-drummer Keith Knudsen, who formed Southern Pacific with fellow Doobie John McFee after the Doobies’ 1982 break-up. Knudsen passed away in 2005.

John McFee of the Doobie Brothers Acoustic-Electric ViolinRock & Roll Hall of Fame

John McFee Acoustic-Electric Violin

This Stradivarius-configured violin was used by multi-instrumentalist John McFee starting around the time he joined the Doobie Brothers, through the band’s 1982 Farewell Tour, and then again when the band reunited in the late 1980s.

The song “Black Water” has been played on this appropriately-tinted instrument many times.

Speaking of the role music has played in his life, McFee said, “I had a difficult childhood and music really saved my life – it was my refuge, the place where I could make my own world."

"I started [playing music] really young, and music is what carried me through some very trying circumstances."

John McFee of the Doobie Brothers Electric Guitar, Mark Brown CustomRock & Roll Hall of Fame

John McFee Electric Guitar, Mark Brown Custom

This Stratocaster-type guitar was custom made for John McFee by Mark Brown. Brown worked as Pat Simmons’ guitar technician, and also made instruments and repaired guitars for the legendary Fred Walecki’s Westwood Musical Instruments in Los Angeles.

McFee, who joined the Doobies in 1979 after Skunk Baxter left the group, played this guitar extensively on tours and recordings with the Doobie Brothers.

Michael McDonald of the Doobie Brothers Microphone, Sennheiser MD 409 U3Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Michael McDonald Microphone, Sennheiser MD 409 U3

In 2020, McDonald was set to rejoin the Doobie Brothers for the band’s 50th Anniversary Tour, which was postponed to 2021 due to the coronavirus.

McDonald was excited when he learned the group was being inducted, telling Rolling Stone, “It’s the culmination of a lot of years of traveling together and working together.”

"We are fortunate that our friendship has remained the most important thing to us through all the various incarnations of the band.”

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony The Doobie Brothers Acceptance Speeches (2020)Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

The Doobie Brothers Induction Acceptance Speeches, 2020

Induction Ceremony Red Carpet with Carrie Keagan (2020)Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

2020 Induction Ceremony Red Carpet with Carrie Keagan

Back for a third time with the 2020 Induction Ceremony red carpet show hosted by Carrie Keagan with a mix of live and pre-recorded interviews from Inductees and special guests.


ROCK HALL EDU Use The Doobie Brothers Collection to introduce learners to the band's legacy of creativity and innovation. The Inductee Insights video is a great tool for beginning your exploration of The Doobie Brothers.

SPOTIFY PLAYLIST Hard-rocking rhythms, dual drummer power, and tight three-part vocal harmonies.

Credits: Story

The 2020 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees exhibit was onsite at the Rock Hall from August 14, 2020 to June 14, 2021.

Credits: All media

The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

Stories from Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Explore more

Related theme

United States of Culture

From Yosemite to Broadway, take a trip around the States with more than 530 American institutions

View theme

Related theme

Created in Cleveland

From industrial powerhouse to bustling arts city

View theme
The Doobie Brothers: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2020 Inductees - Google Arts & Culture (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Nathanial Hackett

Last Updated:

Views: 6329

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (72 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Nathanial Hackett

Birthday: 1997-10-09

Address: Apt. 935 264 Abshire Canyon, South Nerissachester, NM 01800

Phone: +9752624861224

Job: Forward Technology Assistant

Hobby: Listening to music, Shopping, Vacation, Baton twirling, Flower arranging, Blacksmithing, Do it yourself

Introduction: My name is Nathanial Hackett, I am a lovely, curious, smiling, lively, thoughtful, courageous, lively person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.