Doobie Brothers Celebrate 50 Years at Mahaffey Theater in St. Pete

The first BIG concert I attended was when I was 16 and it was on April 5, 1975 at Tampa Stadium. The bill was the Baker Gurvitz Army (Ginger Baker), Marshall Tucker Band and the Doobie Brothers! Both Marshall Tucker and the Doobie’s are still here playing live in 2023.  Never in my wildest imagination did I ever think that 48 years later I would be photographing their 50-Year Anniversary tour. The tour was supposed to start in 2020 but was pushed up to August of 2021, so technically they are working on 52 years!

The Doobies on this anniversary tour are the band’s Co-Founder Patrick Simmons, guitarist Tom McFee and keyboardist/vocalist Michael McDonald who joined them for the anniversary tour. Unfortunately, original vocalist and guitarist Tom Johnston has had to leave the tour to have back surgery. We wish him a speedy recovery! The rest of the band includes John Cowan on bass, Mark Quinones on percussion, drummer Ed Toth and saxophonist Marc Russo. 

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers sold out The Mahaffey Theater, there was not an empty seat in the house.  There were t-shirts of every Doobie era in attendance.  They opened the show with “Take Me In Your Arms” (Rock Me a Little While), next was the Michael McDonald vocal on “Here To Love You”.  Pat Simmons took lead vocals on “Dependin’ On You”.  They played a 25-song setlist for a 2-hour show that includes all the hits and then some.  A very straight up musical show.  No big screens or graphics but none needed with such a catalog of music from Doobie Brothers originals to McDonald’s solo hits and even a couple of covers by various artists thrown in the mix.

From “China Grove” to “Takin’ It To The Streets”, the audience in the pit were up against the stage, singing along and holding up old vinyl albums, which had the band’s attention for a laugh or two at those old covers. Both Pat and Michael’s vocals were spot on.  Marc Russo’s saxophone is magic.  It was great to hear the songs I grew up with and have listened to for the past 50 years.  Some of the best rock and roll in the last 50 years! Check out everything Doobie at Doobie Brothers.

Vicky Sullivan Photos