TOM JOHNSTON SINGER…SONGWRITER…GUITARIST… ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAMER WITH THE LEGENDARY DOOBIE BROTHERS ‘THE LOST INTERVIEWS W/RAY SHASHO EPISODE 15

 

T O M

J O H N S T O N

LEGENDARY SINGER/SONGWRITER/GUITARIST

 ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAMERS

 T H E

D O O B I E

B R O T H E R S

 'THE LOST INTERVIEWS'

EPSIODE 15

with RAY SHASHO

CLICK BELOW 

TO LISTEN TO THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW!

TOM JOHNSTON

‘THE LOST INTERVIEWS’

with RAY SHASHO

EPISODE 15

INTERVIEWED FEBRUARY 17^TH 2013 

The Doobie Brothers are one of those bands that we’ve depended on, year after year, and expect to see performing invariably at outdoor music festivals, pavilions, arenas, casinos and bike week events across the nation. The group has been exhilarating audiences for decades yet appear timeless onstage. One of the principal reasons for the longevity and success of the Doobie Brothers has a lot to do with an unmitigated affection shared between the band and its audience. It’s been an amazing love affair that has persevered for over forty-two years.

When the Doobie Brothers finally call it quits … rock ‘n’ roll will probably call it quits too.  Tom Johnston is the voice, lyricist and guitarist on numerous classic hit recordings by the Doobie Brothers. Inspired by listening to R&B music on the radio, California native Johnston started his first band at 14, eventually broadening his musical horizons by singing with soul and blues groups. After moving to San Jose to finish college, Tom met Skip Spence, original drummer for the Jefferson Airplane. Spence introduced Johnston to drummer John Hartman.

Spence was also a founding member of Moby Grape which had a major influence on the Doobie Brothers. Tom Johnston, John Hartman and bassist Greg Murphy formed the power trio “Pud.” When “Pud” unraveled, the evolution of the Doobie Brothers began to take shape. While living in a home dubbed as their “musical headquarters,” guitarist Patrick Simmons and bassist Dave Shogren joined the group. The band quickly generated a huge following in California. In 1971, the Doobie Brothers launched their self- titled debut album, The Doobie Brothers on the Warner Brothers label with legendary producers Ted Templeman and Lenny Waronker.

The first track on the album, “Nobody” penned by Tom Johnston, would later resurface in 2010 on their latest release, World Gone Crazy. Their second studio album Toulouse Street (named for a street in the French Quarter of New Orleans) introduced new bassist Tiran Porter and second drummer Michael Hossack (Navy Veteran). The album spawned the Tom Johnston penned classic hits, “Listen to the Music” (#11 Top 100 Billboard Hit -1972), “Rockin’ Down the Highway” and “Jesus Is Just Alright,” (#35 Billboard Top 100 Hit -1973) written by Arthur Reynolds (1965) and performed by The Byrds (1969). In 1973, the Doobie Brothers released, The Captain and Me spotlighting some of the bands most memorable classic rock tunes penned by Tom Johnston … “Long Train Runnin’”(#8 Billboard Hot 100 Hit) and perhaps the bands anthem song, “China Grove” (#15 Billboard Hot 100 Hit). The Captain and Me also featured a guest performance by future Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan guitarist Jeff “Skunk” Baxter.

The Doobie Brothers fourth studio album, What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits released in 1974 spawned the Tom Johnston penned songs, “Another Park, Another Sunday” (#32 Billboard Hot 100 Hit) and “Eyes of Silver” (#52 Billboard Hot 100 Hit). The album also featured Pat Simmons penned tribute to “The Big Easy,” “Black Water” (#1 Billboard Hot 100 Hit -1975). Stampede released in 1975 was the final album before Michael McDonald took over lead vocalist duties from an ailing Tom Johnston. The album featured the cover version, “Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While)” (#11 Billboard Hot 100 Hit -1975) written by the Motown team of Holland-Dozier-Holland. Subsequent albums …Takin’ It to the Streets (1976), Livin’ on the Fault Line (1977), Minute by Minute (1978) and One Step Closer (1980) featured a successful second incarnation of the band, which primarily consisted of Michael McDonald(vocals, keyboards) Patrick Simmons (guitars/vocals) Jeff “Skunk” Baxter (guitars, steel guitars), Tiran Porter(bass, vocals), John Hartman (drums) and Keith Knudsen (drums). *Tom Johnston played and sang “Turn It Loose” and “Wheels of Fortune” on the album Takin’ It to the Streets. John McFee was added to the Doobie Brothers lineup in 1979 replacing Jeff “Skunk” Baxter and was featured on One Step Closer. After a successful run, the band’s signature sound and direction became disillusioned.

While working on his solo project, Tom Johnston rejoined the band for a Farewell Tour, and then the Doobie Brothers would call it quits as a band for the next five years. The reformation of the Doobie Brothers was contrived when the band’s alumni were asked by drummer Keith Knudsen to perform at a concert to benefit veterans’ causes. The band discovered that tickets were in great demand and soon embarked on a twelve-city tour. In 1989, Cycles, the tenth studio recording by the Doobie Brothers, now on Capitol Records, witnessed the return of Tom Johnston and drummer Michael Hossack to the studio as a band. Tom Johnston’s distinctive vocals returned, and the band re-established their musical roots. Subsequent releases … Brotherhood (1991), Sibling Rivalry (2000) and World Gone Crazy (2010).

World Gone Crazy was the Doobie Brothers highest charting album since 1989 receiving rave reviews and featuring the longtime core lineup of Tom Johnston and Pat Simmons. The Doobie Brothers band functions like a well-oiled machine, touring consistently year after year and enchanting music enthusiasts worldwide. The current lineup of Tom Johnston (vocals/guitar), Pat Simmons (vocals/guitars), John McFee (guitar/strings/vocals), John Cowan (bass), Guy Allison (keyboards/vocals), Marc Russo (saxophones), Ed Toth (drums) and Tony Pia (drums)… represent a musical legacy that defines the quintessence of rock ‘n’ roll and a band that we’ve always depended on throughout the years.

The Doobie Brothers have sold more than 40-million albums worldwide.  

The Doobie Brothers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.

I had the great pleasure of speaking with Tom Johnston recently about the band’s current and future projects, family, and the future of rock ‘n’ roll. Here’s my interview with singer/songwriter/guitarist/and founding member of classic rock legends the Doobie Brothers … TOM JOHNSTON.

THE 

DOOBIE BROTHERS

Discography

The Doobie Brothers (1971)

Toulouse Street (1972)

The Captain and Me (1973)

What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits (1974)

Stampede (1975)

Takin' It to the Streets (1976)

Livin' on the Fault Line (1977)

Minute by Minute (1978)

One Step Closer (1980)

Cycles (1989)

Brotherhood (1991)

Sibling Rivalry (2000)

World Gone Crazy (2010)

Southbound (2014)

Liberté (2021)

 

 THE 

DOOBIE BROTHERS 

TOUR  2024

Aug 09 Bridgeport, CT Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater

Aug 10 Gilford, NH Bank NH Pavilion

Aug 12 Boston, MA Xfinity Center

Aug 13 Saratoga Springs, NY Saratoga Performing Arts Center

Aug 15 Detroit, MI Pine Knob Music Theatre

Aug 17 Noblesville, IN Ruoff Music Center

Aug 18 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Center

Aug 20 Pittsburgh, PA The Pavilion at Star Lake

Aug 22 Cleveland, OH Blossom Music Center

Aug 24 St. Louis, MO Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre STL

Aug 25 Tinley Park, IL Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre

Aug 27 Omaha, NE CHI Health

Aug 29 Denver, CO Ball Arena

Aug 30 Salt Lake City, UT USANA Amphitheater

Sep 03 Bend, OR Hayden Homes Amphitheater

Sep 05 Ridgefield, WA RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater

Sep 06 Seattle, WA White River Amphitheatre

Sep 08 Concord, CA Concord Pavilion

Sep 10 Wheatland, CA Toyota Amphitheater

Sep 27 Syracuse, NY Oncenter War Memorial

Sep 28 Allentown, PA PPL

Oct 02 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center

Oct 08 London, ON Budweiser Gardens

Oct 09 Kitchener, ON The Aud

Oct 12 Laval, QC Place Bell

Oct 13 Kingston, ON Slush Puppie Palace

Oct 15 Quebec City, QC Centre Videotron

Oct 16 Saint John, NB TD Station

 

 

 

THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES

BOOK TRAILER

 

BOOK REVIEW

-By Literary Titan (5) STARS

The Rock Star Chronicles by Ray Shasho, is a splendid book written by a music enthusiast who has poured their heart and soul into it. It’s a story of a boy who loved rock music, and his obsessive passion of it earned himself the name Rock Raymond. He went to school but instead was schooled in all matters of music while his peers were buried chin-deep in coursework. He then became a radio DJ and has now compiled a book on all interviews he held with Rock gods who raided the airwaves back in the 70s and 80s. It’s a compilation of interviews with outstanding vocalists, legendary guitarists and crazy drummers in the rock music scene. Each interview gives a reader an in-depth view into their personal lives and the philosophies that guide their lives which all serve to humanize these great icons. For readers who are old enough to call themselves baby boomers this book will bring old memories back to life. Millennials, on the other hand, may think of this book as a literal work of the Carpool Karaoke show. 

The Rock Star Chronicles is a book I didn’t know I was waiting for. To come across a book that will talk me into trying something new. One brave enough to incite me to venture into new frontiers. This book made me a believer- I am now a bona fide Rock and Roll music fan. 

Ray Shasho masterfully gets the interviewees talking. He smartly coaxes answers from them with crafty questions designed to get a story rolling out of them. The artists talk about diverse issues ranging from music, politics, and their social engagements. Having been on the music seen all his life, Ray Shasho knows the buttons to press, how to get them comfortable about talking about their lives. 

The book’s cover is befitting of its subject matter with the leather look offering a royal background to the golden letter print. It speaks to how high a level rock music holds in the pecking order- arguably, modern music as we know it has originated from blues and rock music.  The second noteworthy thing is the use of high-definition pictures to reference the musician being interviewed in every sub-chapter. This ensures that the book is for both original rock and roll lovers and aspiring new ones. Together is makes for a refreshing and consistently enjoyable read.

I recommend this book to rock music enthusiasts, aspiring musicians wondering what it takes and all readers curious to learn new things by going back in time.

https://literarytitan.com/2020/05/03/literary-titan-book-awards-may-2020/   

Gold Award Winner

MORE BOOKS BY RAY SHASHO

RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY

 

TO BE PART OF MUSIC HISTORY!

CALL 941-567-6193

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR??? 

LEGENDARY GUITARIST STEVE CROPPER ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM ‘FRIENDLYTOWN’ FEATURING BILLY F GIBBONS … BRIAN MAY … TIM MONTANA … EXCLUSIVE ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS!

 

LEGENDARY GUITARIST

S T E V E   C R O P P E R

ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM

‘FRIENDLYTOWN’

OFFICIALLY RELEASED

AUGUST 23^RD ON MASCOT LABEL GROUP

FEATURING

BILLY F GIBBONS

BRIAN MAY

 TIM MONTANA

FIRST SINGLE

“TOO MUCH STRESS”

featuring BRIAN MAY

EXCLUSIVE 

ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS

CLICK BELOW

 TO LISTEN TO THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW 

Not many people start new bands in their 80s, but legendary guitarist, producer, and songwriter Steve Cropper isn’t slowing down any time soon. The triple-threat musician, recently nominated for his first solo GRAMMY for the debut album from his tight and tuneful rock n’ soul quintet, Steve Cropper & The Midnight Hour, has announced details of his highly anticipated sophomore album, ‘Friendlytown,’ due out August 23^rd on the  Mascot Label Group.

Always pushing ahead and never repeating himself, Cropper has brought in the talents of Billy F Gibbons from ZZ Top to play on the record. The album also features guest appearances from Queen guitarist extraordinaire Brian May and country-rock singer-songwriter and guitarist Tim Montana, who has balanced a successful solo career with high-profile collaborations with Gibbons and Kid Rock.

In conjunction with the album announcement, Cropper has released the album's first single, “Too Much Stress feat. Brian May,” giving fans a tantalizing taste of the new music. This groovy mid-tempo number features gospel-style backing vocals and a trifecta of the baddest rock guitar players. Brian May sings the duet vocal together with Roger C. Reale and the backing vocals while May and Gibbons trade back-to-back solos. The Queen’s axeman’s trademark snarling tone and lyrical licks perfectly complement Gibbons’ searing blues-based style, with Cropper holding it all down with some signature slinky rhythm guitar work.

PREORDER

THE NEW ALBUM

BY

STEVE CROPPER

and

 The Midnight Hour

entitled

FRIENDLYTOWN

Available August 23rd Via Mascot Label Group

Featuring

Billy F Gibbons, Brian May and Tim Montana

First Single 

“Too Much Stress feat. Brian May” Available Now

Pre-order Friendlytown at

https://lnk.to/stevecropper

FOR MORE INFORMATION

ABOUT

STEVE CROPPER

VISIT

https://playitsteve.com/

Official website

https://www.facebook.com/stevecropper

Facebook

https://x.com/OfficialCropper?mx=2

Twitter

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Steve+Cropper

YouTube

https://www.instagram.com/thestevecropper/

Instagram

 

DISCOGRAPHY

    1969: With a Little Help from My Friends

    1969: Jammed Together (with Albert King and Pops Staples)

    1971: This Is ... Steve Cropper & His Friends (compilation of With a Little Help from My Friends and Jammed Together, released in France only)

    1981: Playin' My Thang

    1982: Night After Night

    1998: The Interview — Play It, Steve!

    2008: Nudge It Up A Notch (with Felix Cavaliere)

    2010: Midnight Flyer (with Felix Cavaliere)

    2011: Dedicated — A Salute to the 5 Royales

    2017: Steve Cropper, Lou Marini and the Original Blues Brothers Band — The Last Shade of Blue Before Black

    2018: Telemasters (with Arlen Roth)

    2021: Fire It Up 

Steve Cropper & The Midnight Hour

2024: Friendlytown

 

Collaborations

With Alabama

• Southern Star (RCA Records, 1989)

With Jimmy Barnes

• Soul Searchin' (Liberation Music, 2016)

With William Bell

• The Soul of a Bell (Stax Records, 1967)
• Bound to Happen (Stax Records, 1969)

With Barbi Benton

• Something New (Polydor Records, 1976)

With Stephen Bishop

• Bish (ABC Records, 1978)

With Frank Black

• Honeycomb (Cooking Vinyl, 2005)
• Fast Man Raider Man (Cooking Vinyl, 2006)

With Bobby and the Midnites

• Where the Beat Meets the Street (Columbia Records, 1984)

With Booker T. & the M.G.'s

• Green Onions (Stax Records, 1962)
• Soul Dressing (Stax Records, 1965)
• And Now! (Stax Records, 1966)
• In the Christmas Spirit (Stax Records, 1966)
• Hip Hug-Her (Stax Records, 1967)
• Doin' Our Thing (Stax Records, 1968)
• Soul Limbo (Stax Records, 1968)
• UpTight (Stax Records, 1969)
• The Booker T. Set (Stax Records, 1969)
• McLemore Avenue (Stax Records, 1970)
• Melting Pot (Stax Records, 1971)
• Universal Language (Asylum Records, 1977)
• That's the Way It Should Be (Columbia Records, 1994)

With Ronnie Baker Brooks

• Times Have Changed (Provogue Records, 2017)

With Billy Burnette

• Try Me (Curb, 1985)

With Jimmy Buffett

• Hot Water (MCA Records, 1988)

With Brian Cadd

• White On White (Capitol Records, 1976)

With Cate Brothers

• Cate Bros. (Asylum Records, 1975)
• In One Eye and Out the Order (Asylum Records, 1976)

With Chicago

• Chicago XXXIII: O Christmas Three (Chicago Records, 2011)

With David Clayton-Thomas

• David Clayton-Thomas (Columbia Records, 1972)

With A. J. Croce

• Just Like Medicine (Compass Records, 2017)

With Patti Dahlstrom

• Your Place or Mine (20th Century Records, 1975)

With Delaney & Bonnie

• Home (Stax Records, 1969)
• D&B Together (Columbia Records, 1972)

With Ned Doheny

• Hard Candy (Columbia Records, 1976)
• Prone (CBS Records, 1979)

With Yvonne Elliman

• Rising Sun (RSO Records, 1975)
• Night Flight (RSO Records, 1978)
• Yvonne (RSO Records, 1979)

With José Feliciano

• Compartments (RCA Victor, 1973)
• For My Love... Mother Music (RCA Victor, 1974)

With Eddie Floyd

• Knock on Wood (Stax Records, 1967)
• Down to Earth (Stax Records, 1971)

With Peter Frampton

• Where I Should Be (A&M Records, 1979)

With Richie Furay

• I've Got a Reason (Asylum Records, 1976)

With Art Garfunkel

• Breakaway (Columbia Records, 1975)

With Cyndi Grecco

• Making Our Dreams Come True (Private Stock Records, 1976)

With Richie Havens

• The End of the Beginning (A&M Records, 1976)

With Levon Helm

• Levon Helm & the RCO All-Stars (ABC Records, 1977)
• Levon Helm (ABC Records, 1978)

With Chris Hillman

• Slippin' Away (Asylum Records, 1976)

With Rebecca Lynn Howard

• Rebecca Lynn Howard (Universal Music, 2000)

With Etta James

• Seven Year Itch (Island Records, 1988)
• The Right Time (Elektra Records, 1992)

With Wynonna Judd

• Tell Me Why (Curb Records, 1993)

With Albert King

• Born Under a Bad Sign (Stax Records, 1967)
• Years Gone By (Stax Records, 1969)

With B.B. King

• King of the Blues: 1989 (MCA Records, 1988)

With Al Kooper

• White Chocolate (Sony Records, 2008)

With John Lennon

• Rock 'n' Roll (Apple Records, 1975)

With Ann-Margret

• Born to Be Wild (Cleopatra Records, 2023)

With Craig Morgan

• Craig Morgan (Atlantic Records, 2000)

With Aaron Neville

• The Tattoeed Heart (A&M Records, 1995)

With Wayne Newton

• Tomorrow (Chelsea Records, 1976)

With Harry Nilsson

• Flash Harry (Mercury Records, 1980)

With John Oates

• 1000 Miles of Life (Phunk Shui Records, 2008)

With Nigel Olsson

• Nigel Olsson (The Rocket Record Company, 1975)

With Roy Orbison

• Mystery Girl (Virgin Records, 1989)

With Dolly Parton

• Heartbreak Express (RCA Records, 1982)

With Wilson Pickett

• In the Midnight Hour (Atlantic Records, 1965)
• The Exciting Wilson Pickett (Atlantic Records, 1966)

With Michel Polnareff

• Michel Polnareff (Atlantic Records, 1975)

With John Prine

• Common Sense (Atlantic Records, 1975)

With Otis Redding

• Pain in My Heart (Atco Records, 1964)
• The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads (Atco Records, 1965)
• Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul (Stax Records, 1965)
• The Soul Album (Stax Records, 1966)
• Complete & Unbelievable: The Otis Redding Dictionary of Soul (Stax Records, 1966)
• King & Queen (Stax Records, 1967)
• The Dock of the Bay (Stax Records, 1968)

With Bruce Roberts

• Bruce Roberts (Elektra Records, 1977)

With Leon Russell

• Will O' the Wisp (Shelter Records, 1975)

With Sanford & Townsend

• Duo-Glide (Warner Bros. Records, 1977)

With Leo Sayer

• Here (Chrysalis Records, 1979)

With Guy Sebastian

• The Memphis Album (Sony BMG, 2007)

With Neil Sedaka

• The Hungry Years (The Rocket Record Company, 1975)
• Steppin' Out (Polydor Records, 1976)

With Paul Shaffer

• Coast to Coast (Capitol Records, 1989)

With Paul Simon

• Songs from The Capeman (Warner Bros. Records, 1997)

With Broderick Smith

• Suitcase (Mushroom Records, 1992)

With The Soul Children

• Soul Children (Stax Records, 1968)

With Mavis Staples

• Mavis Staples (Volt Records, 1969)
• Only for the Lonely (Volt Records, 1970)

With Ringo Starr

• Ringo (Apple Records, 1973)
• Goodnight Vienna (Apple Records, 1974)
• Vertical Man (Mercury Records, 1998)

With Rod Stewart

• Atlantic Crossing (Warner Bros. Records, 1975)
• A Night on the Town (Warner Bros. Records, 1976)
• Foot Loose & Fancy Free (Warner Bros. Records, 1977)
• Every Beat of My Heart (Warner Bros. Records, 1986)

With Livingston Taylor

• Man's Best Friend (Epic Records, 1980)

With Carla Thomas

• Memphis Queen (Stax Records, 1969)

With Mickey Thomas

• As Long as You Love Me (MCA Records, 1977)

With The Manhattan Transfer

• Pastiche (Atlantic Records, 1978)

With Wendy Waldman

• The Main Refrain (Warner Bros. Records, 1976)

With Dale Watson

• Jukebox Fury (Cleopatra Records, 2022)

With Jerry Lynn Williams

• Gone (Warner Bros. Records, 1979)

 

 

STEVE CROPPER

APPEARS

JULY 27TH 2024

ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS

WITH RAY SHASHO

THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES

BOOK TRAILER

 

BOOK REVIEW

-By Literary Titan (5) STARS

The Rock Star Chronicles by Ray Shasho, is a splendid book written by a music enthusiast who has poured their heart and soul into it. It’s a story of a boy who loved rock music, and his obsessive passion of it earned himself the name Rock Raymond. He went to school but instead was schooled in all matters of music while his peers were buried chin-deep in coursework. He then became a radio DJ and has now compiled a book on all interviews he held with Rock gods who raided the airwaves back in the 70s and 80s. It’s a compilation of interviews with outstanding vocalists, legendary guitarists and crazy drummers in the rock music scene. Each interview gives a reader an in-depth view into their personal lives and the philosophies that guide their lives which all serve to humanize these great icons. For readers who are old enough to call themselves baby boomers this book will bring old memories back to life. Millennials, on the other hand, may think of this book as a literal work of the Carpool Karaoke show. 

The Rock Star Chronicles is a book I didn’t know I was waiting for. To come across a book that will talk me into trying something new. One brave enough to incite me to venture into new frontiers. This book made me a believer- I am now a bona fide Rock and Roll music fan. 

Ray Shasho masterfully gets the interviewees talking. He smartly coaxes answers from them with crafty questions designed to get a story rolling out of them. The artists talk about diverse issues ranging from music, politics, and their social engagements. Having been on the music seen all his life, Ray Shasho knows the buttons to press, how to get them comfortable about talking about their lives. 

The book’s cover is befitting of its subject matter with the leather look offering a royal background to the golden letter print. It speaks to how high a level rock music holds in the pecking order- arguably, modern music as we know it has originated from blues and rock music.  The second noteworthy thing is the use of high-definition pictures to reference the musician being interviewed in every sub-chapter. This ensures that the book is for both original rock and roll lovers and aspiring new ones. Together is makes for a refreshing and consistently enjoyable read.

I recommend this book to rock music enthusiasts, aspiring musicians wondering what it takes and all readers curious to learn new things by going back in time.

https://literarytitan.com/2020/05/03/literary-titan-book-awards-may-2020/   

Gold Award Winner

MORE BOOKS BY RAY SHASHO

RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY

 

TO BE PART OF MUSIC HISTORY!

CALL 941-567-6193

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR???