The Doobie Brothers have tagged 13 new fall dates on to their itinerary, which already includes a pair of opening slots for the Eagles in California and two full-album gigs in New York City. The Doobies — led by co-founders Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons along with longtime member John McFee — said in a press release announcing the new stops: “We will be writing and recording new music this summer, and we are looking forward to heading back on the road in September. We will start the fall tour with a couple dates with the Eagles and the Zac Brown Band, and we will end with two incredible, full-album performances at the Beacon Theatre in New York City in November.”
Guitarist Pat Simmons told Pulse that it’s radio — above all other pockets of the industry — that deserves the credit in keeping the Doobies front and center for the fans: “Thank goodness for, y’know, classic (rock) radio, really, I mean that’s probably why a lot of people still know who we are and what we’re doing.”
Simmons, the sole member to have survived the numerous lineup changes, admits life as a Doobie Brother has pretty much been a dream come true. Pulse asked him if he ever expected the Doobies to still be played constantly on the radio and out gigging at sold out shows to a die-hard legion of fans over 45 years after forming: “Not in a million years. Y’know, most bands, y’know, last a year or two and — if they’re lucky. For me to have been able to record and make music with all these great, great players — and still be doing it — it’s just ridiculous — I’m not worthy, y’know? For me, y’know, being a part of a band like this is has always been sort of; I felt, a gift. Not just musically, but the whole opportunity to kind of like the dream, in terms of being able to pursue something that you love to do and make a living out of it.”
UPDATED: The Doobie Brothers Tour Dates (subject to change):
September 20 – San Francisco, CA – AT&T Park (with The Eagles)
September 22 – San Diego, CA – PETCO Park (with The Eagles)
October 9 – Milwaukee, WI – Riverside Theatre
October 12 – Northfield, OH – Hard Rock Live
October 13 – Battle Creek, MI – Firekeepers Casino
October 16 – Greensboro, NC – White Oak Amphitheater
October 17 – Simpsonville, SC – Heritage Park Amphiteater
October 19 – Orlando, FL – Dr. Phillips Center
October 20 – Clearwater, FL – Coachman Park
October 21 – Fort Myers, FL – FSW Suncoast Credit Union Arena
November 3 – Atlantic City, NJ – Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
November 4 – Bethlehem, PA – Bethlehem Events Center
November 7 – Greensburg, PA – The Palace Theatre
November 8 – Shippensburg, PA – Luhrs Center
November 10 – Lynn, MA – Lynn Auditorium
November 11 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun
November 13 – Stamford, CT – Palace Theatre
November 15 – New York, NY – Beacon Theatre (performing Toulouse Street – plus select hits)
November 16 – New York, NY – Beacon Theatre (performing The Captain And Me – plus select hits)
