Chicago w/ Doobie Brothers April 24, 2012

The Doobie Brothers wooed us with their smooth acoustic strumming, upbeat lyrics and solidified their status as the '70s chillest band. Although their line-up has changed and shuffled throughout the years, the band has been touring continuously since 1993 and show no signs of letting up. Doobie Brothers tour dates are currently scheduled at 46 events this spring and summer, 2011.

The band released their self-titled debut in 1971 and although it was received tepidly, it did garner the band attention within the industry. Their sophomore set, "Toulouse Street," launched them into mainstream rock success and brought them platinum status. Their next two albums, "The Captain and Me" and "What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits," have been certified double platinum, with the latter album containing their first #1 Hot 100 song, "Black Water." The Doobie Brothers toured extensively in support of their albums, and the prolific writer-rockers recorded hit album after album. Doobie Brothers tour dates during this period included assistance from the famed Memphis Horns who accompanied their performances.

Following the 1975 Doobie Brothers tour, lead singer Tom Johnston fell ill with a bleeding ulcer and had to go on hiatus. Under pressure from the label to release another album, the Doobie Brothers hired blue-eyed soul impresario, Michael McDonald, to fill in the void. With the assistance of McDonald, the band would go on to colossal commercial and critical success. In 1978, under the smooth rhythmic vocals of McDonald, the group released their biggest album to date, "Minute by Minute." The album featured their second #1 hit single, "What a Fool Believes," and ushered in a new era of critical success for the already established band. The song, written with Kenny Loggins, went on to win the Grammy Award for Record of the year in 1979 and received heavy rotation on several radio formats. The band was at the apex of their career, and seemingly at the breaking point.

Constant touring and recording had forced several of the band members to the brink of exhaustion which created infighting and conflict over the creative direction of the band. By 1981, the band had lost all original members and was a far cry away from their original musical intent so they disbanded and released a final live album in 1983 entitled, "Farewell Tour." The break-up, so to speak, was short-lived and the band reunited in 1987. Since then they have released four albums, most recently 2010's "World Gone Crazy," and have maintained a ferocious touring schedule. In fact, for the better part of the past two decades, Doobie Brothers tour dates have been scheduled annually across the country.

Official Website: http://www.doobiebros.com/