1970–1982

Tom Johnston, Patrick Simmons, Dave Shogren and John Hartman founded the Doobie Brothers in the fall of 1970.^[1] After the band released its self-titled debut album and recorded two tracks for 1972's follow-up Toulouse Street, Shogren was replaced by Tiran Porter and Michael Hossack was added as a second drummer in December 1971.^[2] The Captain and Me followed, after which Hossack was replaced by Keith Knudsen in September 1973.^[3] What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits, released in 1974, featured both Hossack and Knudsen.^[4] In September 1974, the Doobie Brothers expanded to a six-piece when pedal steel guitarist Jeff "Skunk" Baxter left Steely Dan to join the group.^[5] During the tour in promotion of 1975's Stampede, Johnston was forced to take time off due to a stomach illness.^[6]

With Johnston having to leave in the middle of a tour, Michael McDonald was brought in on keyboards and vocals.^[7] The group released Takin' It to the Streets in 1976.^[8] After the release of its follow-up Livin' on the Fault Line, Johnston decided to leave the group due to stylistic differences, and embarked on a solo career.^[9] He was not replaced, as McDonald subsequently took over as primary lead vocalist.^[10] Minute by Minute was released in 1978, before Jeff Baxter and founding drummer John Hartman left in April 1979 – the former to focus on record production, and the latter to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.^[11]

Baxter and Hartman were replaced by John McFee and Chet McCracken, respectively, while Cornelius Bumpus joined on saxophone and keyboards.^[12] After recording One Step Closer in 1980, Porter was replaced by Willie Weeks, and backup percussionist Bobby LaKind became an official band member.^[13] With both leading members Simmons and McDonald beginning to focus more on their respective solo careers, it was announced in March 1982 that the Doobie Brothers had disbanded.^[14] The group returned for a final concert tour in the summer, recordings from which were released the following year as Farewell Tour.^[15]

1987–1998

After a five-year absence, the Doobie Brothers reunited in May 1987 for a tour to benefit the Vietnam Veterans Aid Foundation, with a 12-piece lineup including Tom Johnston, Patrick Simmons, Michael McDonald, Jeff Baxter, John McFee, Tiran Porter, John Hartman, Michael Hossack, Keith Knudsen, Chet McCracken, Bobby LaKind and Cornelius Bumpus.^[16] Following the tour, the group reformed permanently and signed with Capitol Records, with a six-piece lineup of Johnston, Simmons, Porter, Hartman, Hossack and LaKind.^[17] The band's first studio album in nine years, Cycles, was released in May 1989.^[18]

After the release of Cycles, the group toured with saxophonist/keyboardist Bumpus and backup keyboardist Dale Ockerman.^[19] A few months into the tour, LaKind left due to medical issues and was replaced by Richard Bryant.^[20] Jimi Fox also joined as a second touring percussionist.^[21] For the tour in promotion of Brotherhood in 1991, Ockerman, Bryant and Fox remained as touring members.^[22] The group toured until November 1991, at which point it disbanded for a second time.^[23] In October 1992, the band reunited to perform two shows to benefit Bobby LaKind, who had been diagnosed with terminal colon cancer; the regular lineup was joined by former members Michael McDonald, Jeff Baxter, Bumpus and LaKind himself.^[24] The percussionist died of his condition on December 24.^[25]

In the summer of 1993, the band reformed again with Johnston, Simmons, Hossack and Bumpus joined by John McFee, Willie Weeks and Keith Knudsen; after a few shows, Weeks and Bumpus were replaced by new touring members John Cowan and Danny Hull, respectively.^[26] By 1995, the group had been rejoined by McDonald and Bumpus.^[27] The tour also saw the introduction of new touring bassist Skylark, while McFee and Knudsen were substituted for select dates by Bernie Chiaravalle and Chet McCracken, respectively.^[26] After the recording of Rockin' Down the Highway: The Wildlife Concert, McDonald and Bumpus left, and Ockerman was replaced by Guy Allison.^[26]

Since 1998

By summer 1998, Hull had been replaced by Marc Russo.^[28] The group released its first studio album in nine years, Sibling Rivalry, in October 2000.^[29] The following June, Hossack was sidelined after being injured in a motorcycle accident.^[30] He was temporarily replaced by Marvin "M.B." Gordy.^[31] After a few months, Hossack returned and Gordy remained as touring percussionist.^[26] Ed Wynne temporarily substituted for Russo during a tour in 2002.^[32]

In February 2005, Keith Knudsen died of pneumonia.^[33] In April, Gordy left the band.^[34] When they resumed touring, the group was joined by former Vertical Horizon drummer Ed Toth, who was introduced to them by Hossack.^[35] In the spring of 2010, Skylark was forced to leave after suffering a stroke, with John Cowan returning to take his place on tour; Hossack temporarily left around the same time, due to continuing effects stemming from his 2001 accident, with Tony Pia substituting.^[36] It later transpired that Hossack had contracted cancer, from which he later died in March 2012.^[37] Pia subsequently remained as second drummer.^[38]

Allison was replaced by Bill Payne of Little Feat in November 2015.^[39] The following summer, Pia left and Toth remained as the sole drummer.^[35] In May 2018, Marc Quiñones joined on percussion.^[40] In November 2019, it was announced that Michael McDonald would return for a 50th anniversary tour in 2020.^[41] However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tour was postponed.^[42] In November 2021, after the tour concluded, Payne departed due to his commitment to Little Feat.^[43] McDonald moved onto lead keyboards as his replacement.^[44]

Current members

Former members

Current

Former

Official members

Touring members