The Doobie Brothers to release 16th studio album with Michael McDonald

The Doobie Brothers began their reunion tour three years ago, and now the band has announced the 16th studio album that will feature Michael McDonald for the first time in 44 years.

In 2019, McDonald re-joined the band for its 50th reunion tour, which was delayed by the pandemic. McDonald served as a vocalist and keyboardist for the band from 1975-1982. According to Billboard, co-founders Patrick Simmons and Tom Johnston are excited about the new album, which brings McDonald back into the fold.

The new album marks the band's first new work since 2021's Liberte and the first with McDonald since 1980's One Step Closer. This will also be the first album to feature McDonald with guitarists Patrick Simmons and Tom Johnston since Takin' It To The Streets in 1975.

What to expect from The Doobie Brothers' 2024 tour

The 2024 Doobie Brothers Tour will be featured in 38 US cities, beginning in Seattle at the White River Amphitheatre on June 15. Many of these cities haven't seen a performance from the band in years.
On various dates, they will be joined by GRAMMY Award-winning artists Robert Cray and Steve Winwood; see full schedule for details.

Michael McDonald's new book, What a Fool Believes: A Memoir, will be released on May 21. The book is co-authored by Paul Reiser. McDonald also contributed to Simmons and Johnston's 2022 book, Long Train Runnin’: Our Story of the Doobie Brothers.

Don't miss The Doobie Brothers in concert in 2024 and the upcoming album with brand new tunes.

"It’s been a lot of fun. We’re having a good time. It’s kind of continuing what we’ve been doing for the last 50 years and we still do things the same way for the most part, but having Mike on board again is great. I think it’s just having great artists, great creative people and talented guys that write the material… and then we have a great band. We’ve always had really great musicians, great singers. I think that really helps with how people perceive the band at any given time. It’s as strong now as it ever was."

- Patrick Simmons - Doobie Brothers