And then some of the stuff was more immediate, where we just sat down with John and came up with a song in a moment. Tom Johnston: John’s a hell of a guitar player, and he has good ideas on sound.

Tom Johnston recognises what McDonald adds to the band when he comes back from doing his own thing. “He brings his own style – his keyboards, his vocals and his writing.

Walk This Road” sounds like a classic Doobies record, which means it sounds like a lot of things. They do straight rock, blues rock, Southern rock, and detour into soul and country.

You have to think beyond your age. It’s a life adventure.” The Doobie Brothers 2025 setlist Patrick Simmons, left, Tom Johnston and John McFee of The Doobie Brothers performing in New York on ...

After more than 50 years of music making, it is namely the first record which has been jointly recorded as a band by Tom Johnston (76), Pat Simmons (76), John McFee (74) and Michael McDonald (73).

Tom Johnston: We were thinking about doing four songs, just seeing what goes on. But everybody kept writing tunes and bringing stuff in. So there got to be more songs.

The lineup of Doobie Brothers founders Patrick Simmons, Tom Johnston, John McFee and Michael McDonald released a new album, "Walk This Road," in June.

The lineup of Doobie Brothers founders Patrick Simmons, Tom Johnston, John McFee and Michael McDonald released a new album, "Walk This Road," in June.

The Doobie Brothers — Tom Johnston, John McFee, Michael McDonald, and Patrick Simmons (from left) — take it back to the streets on their new album, ‘Walk This Road.’ Clay Patrick McBride* ...

"We have played there with Chicago, Santana, Foreigner and many others,” guitarist-vocalist Tom Johnston tells Newsday in an interview. "Having the stage in the water has always been a trip.

“So it’s Mike McDonald, Tom Johnston and myself, the three singers from the various periods of the band. John McFee is there as well — he’s our utility guy if you will.