The Doobie Brothers are recording a new album with original member Michael McDonald – their first with him in 44 years.
The group, who reunited recently with the core line-up for a popular reunion tour, last released an album in 2021. But this new project will mark nearly 45 years since McDonald went solo.
Co-founders Pat Simmons and Tom Johnston shared the news with Billboard, announcing their plans to release their 16th studio album.
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“It’s very exciting,” Simmons told the magazine. “At one point I said, ‘Hey, we’re doing all these dates. As long as we’re doing this it would make sense to do a record. I think people would really get a kick out of that.”
McDonald, also a former member of Steely Dan, left the group in 1982 after seven years with the Doobie Brothers. He re-joined them close to 40 years later for their anniversary tour.
It’s the group’s first album with McDonald since they released One Step Closer in 1980, and also the first to include McDonald, Simmons and Johnston since their 1975 release Takin’ It To The Streets.
Singer-songwriter John McFee, who left when the group disbanded in 1982, is also featuring on this album.
There is no release date yet nor is there an album name, however Simmons confirmed to the publication that “the songs are done” and the project is around halfway done.
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“It’s kind of continuing what we’ve been doing for the last 50 years,” Simmons continued.
“And we still do things the same way for the most part, but having Mike on board again is great.”
He added: “We’ve always had really great musicians, great singers. I think that really helps with how people perceive the band at any given time. It’s as strong now as it ever was.”
The Doobie Brothers toured Australia in 2023 as part of their reunion tour, visiting Melbourne, Sydney and Perth.