We continue our look at the music of 50 years ago….
Tom Johnston was playing in Bay Area bands in the late 60’s when he hooked up with drummer John Hartman along with various bass players in power trios that banged out rock & blues in clubs around San Francisco and San Jose. In 1970 guitarist and songwriter Patrick Simmons and bassist Dave Shogren joined the duo and formed what became known as the Doobie Brothers. Another area musician is credited with giving them the name when they could not think of a name themselves. He suggested “Doobie Brothers” since they smoked so much pot at the time. The band members considered it stupid and figured they would change it at some point. They never got around to it.
They worked all over the Bay Area becoming a favorite in biker bars playing loud rock & blues with dual guitars and three part harmonies. The Hell’s Angels were fans and the band actually played many gigs at the unofficial Hells Angels headquarters in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
So when the band released their debut LP 50 years ago this week, some fans might have been puzzled by how tame it was. More acoustic and countrified than their live shows, it didn’t do well even though it sounded good. Johnston’s voice was a wonder and along with Simmons harmonies and adept fingerpicking, it showed a band that had possibilites.
The first single was the first song on the LP called “Nobody”. It didn’t chart but the band believed it was a good tune and re-recorded it years later for their 2010 LP “World Gone Crazy”. Here’s that version…
The Doobie Brothers would, of course, change sounds again in later years after Johnston had to quit because of his health and Michael McDonald came on board turning the band into a pop-soul powerhouse.
There are no “hits” on this LP, but it’s a good listen if you want to hear an up and coming band honing their chops and preparing themselves for what turned into a long and successful career. Their next LP, Toulouse Street in 1972 would give us “Listen To The Music” and Jesus Is Just Alright”. You can hear those harmonies exhibited here as the journey began….enjoy!
