Like many legacy bands, the Doobie Brothers evolved into a second phase that often bore little resemblance to the first. Unlike many legacy bands, they ultimately reverted back to their original musical approach. The result is an intriguing dichotomy of a band.
With founding frontman Tom Johnston, the Doobie Brothers offer a ’70s-specific mix of biker-bar boogie and country-inflected roots music – the latter often supplied by band constant Patrick Simmons. With singer Michael McDonald, they turned to sleeker, more soulful sounds at the turn of the ’80s, reflecting his shared roots with guitarist Jeff “Skunk” Baxter as former Steely Dan sidemen.
Fans may divide today over these two periods, but there was a surprising balance in sales back then.
They had three platinum or multiplatinum albums with Johnston, including the blockbuster Top 5 2-million-selling What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits. They also struck gold twice, with 1975’s Stampede and the 1989 reunion album Cycles.
They had three platinum or multiplatinum albums with McDonald, including the blockbuster No. 1 3-million-selling Minute by Minute. He also helmed 1977’s Livin’ on the Fault Line, which likewise went gold.
The first incarnation had one chart-topping single, with Simmons’ “Black Water,” while the second edition went to No. 1 with McDonald’s “What a Fool Believes.”
Simmons then bridged the gap into their modern reunion era, as a revitalized Johnston helped 1989’s “The Doctor” become a Top 10 single. But McDonald still occasionally returned to their orbit, cowriting a song for Cycles and singing a duet with Simmons on 2010’s World Gone Crazy, while also joining them onstage.
This episodic history makes ranking every Doobie Brothers album a fun challenge. The eras are distinct but don’t always necessarily feature different personnel. Here’s how we think they stack up, from worst to best.
Doobie Brothers Albums Ranked
They remain an intriguing dichotomy of a band.
Gallery Credit: Nick DeRiso
