Doobie Brothers Tour With Michael McDonald Rescheduled To 2021

The Doobie Brothers’ reunion with key member Michael McDonald has been delayed – as their summer tour has been postponed until 2021 due to the current global pandemic threat in play. In a statement, the band said: “This decision has been made with the health and safety of the Doobie Brothers’ fans, crew and local employees in mind.”

The concert series was anticipated by hyped fans back in November and was supposed to run from June 9 to October 17 this year. This was also supposed to be McDonald’s first show with the group since 1996. “We’re truly excited about our 50th-anniversary tour, as it’s a celebration of the band’s entire history. We’ll be performing songs from our full catalog, as well as new music,” Tom Johnston said back then.

With the schedules now readjusted, the 53-date series will start on July 17, 2021, at the same city (West Palm Beach, Florida), and conclude on October 21 in New Orleans. However, shows in Mount Pleasant, Mo.; Sioux City, Iowa; Boise, Idaho; Albuquerque, N.M.; Little Rock, Ark.; Bossier City, La.; and Memphis, have been canceled.

The band’s original tour was set to have McDonald on the lineup, along with co-founders Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons, guitarist John McFee, and the rest of the touring members. It would also serve as a celebration of the Doobie Brothers’ induction into the Rock Hall of Fame, which was pushed back until November 7 by the same reason for the tour’s cancellation.

“I can’t imagine a better start to our 50th year than by being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Earning the recognition of our peers is a great honor that I don’t take lightly, but it’s our fans who kept us believing that we could get in. This is a stellar moment for the Doobie Brothers,” Johnston shared.

McDonald added, “It’s been one of the great honors of my life to share the stage with all these guys over the years. To see the band receive this honor is wonderful to say the least.”