The Doobie Brothers are an American rock band from San Jose, California that have been active for over 50 years. Known for songs like “Listen to the Music,” “China Grove,” and “What a Fool Believes,” the band has sold over 40 million albums worldwide. The Doobie Brothers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.
The Doobie Brothers are currently touring North America as part of their 50th anniversary tour. This tour is taking them across the United States and into Canada. Fans are eager to see where the band will be performing north of the border. Keep reading to find out the Canadian tour stops for The Doobie Brothers 50th anniversary tour.
2022 Tour Dates
The Doobie Brothers 50th anniversary tour officially kicked off in May 2022. The tour started in the southern United States before making its way across the country over the summer. Below are the 2022 tour stops in Canada for The Doobie Brothers:
- June 7 – Budweiser Stage – Toronto, ON
- June 10 – Centre Videotron – Quebec City, QC
- June 11 – Centre Bell – Montreal, QC
- August 30 – South Okanagan Events Centre – Penticton, BC
- September 1 – Prospera Place – Kelowna, BC
- September 3 – Rogers Arena – Vancouver, BC
As shown above, The Doobie Brothers played 6 concerts across 4 different Canadian cities in 2022. The tour hit major markets like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Smaller cities like Penticton and Kelowna also got to enjoy the iconic band live in concert. The Doobie Brothers covered both coasts, playing shows in Ontario and British Columbia. Quebec was also part of the 2022 tour schedule.
Setlist
The Doobie Brothers have been playing a wide selection of songs on their 50th anniversary tour. Since it’s a celebration of their entire career, the setlist features classics from across their discography along with deeper cuts for diehard fans. Here’s a look at some of the songs The Doobie Brothers have been playing live in Canada during their 2022 shows:
– “Jesus Is Just Alright”
– “Rockin’ Down the Highway”
– “Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While)”
– “Black Water”
– “Long Train Runnin'”
– “China Grove”
– “Listen to the Music”
– “Takin’ it to the Streets”
– “Minute by Minute”
– “What a Fool Believes”
– “Without You”
The setlist aims to please both casual fans who know the major hits and devoted Doobie Heads who are more familiar with album tracks. Tour staples like “Listen to the Music” and “China Grove” are balanced with deeper cuts like “Rockin’ Down the Highway” and “Minute by Minute.” The band has also been paying tribute to late drummer Keith Knudsen by performing “South City Midnight Lady,” which he sang lead vocals on.
Opening Acts
The Doobie Brothers have enlisted some famous opening acts to join them on their 50th anniversary tour. Here are the opening bands that warmed up the crowd at The Doobie Brothers’ Canadian concerts in 2022:
- Toronto – Chris Robinson Brotherhood
- Quebec City – Chris Robinson Brotherhood
- Montreal – Chris Robinson Brotherhood
- Penticton – The James Hunter Six
- Kelowna – The James Hunter Six
- Vancouver – The Dirty Knobs
Rock bands like the Chris Robinson Brotherhood and The Dirty Knobs got the crowds ready for a night of classic rock in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Meanwhile, British soul musician James Hunter hyped up the fans in Penticton and Kelowna. The Doobie Brothers were able to handpick opening acts that matched their style and energy for a cohesive show.
Stage Setup and Production
The Doobie Brothers have brought an impressive stage show on their 50th anniversary tour. The production includes:
- Massive LED video walls that display customized graphics
- Intricate lighting designs featuring bright, colorful beams and spots
- Smoke effects to accent key moments in the performance
- A multi-tiered stage with ramps allowing the band members to move around
- A rear projection screen showing vintage photos and footage
The state-of-the-art video walls help enhance songs like “Black Water” with bayou scenery and rippling water effects. Lasers slice through the air during guitar solos. The tiered stage has risers in the back and sides for a keyboardist, saxophonist, percussionist, and backup singers. This setup ensures each band member can be seen clearly from anywhere in the arena. The production captures the rock and roll energy The Doobie Brothers are known for.
Band Lineup
The Doobie Brothers have two founding members still anchoring the live lineup in their 50th anniversary tour. Here are the musicians currently performing in The Doobie Brothers:
- Tom Johnston – Vocals, guitars
- Pat Simmons – Vocals, guitars
- John McFee – Guitars, fiddle, vocals
- John Cowan – Vocals, bass guitar
- Marc Russo – Saxophone
- Ed Toth – Drums
- Bill Payne – Keyboards
- Marc Quiñones – Percussion
Tom Johnston and Pat Simmons share lead vocal duties, just as they have since the early 1970s. They formed the foundation of the band’s harmony-driven sound. Guitarist John McFee has been with The Doobie Brothers since 1979 and is the longest-running member after Johnston and Simmons. The longtime lineup is supplemented by several skilled supporting musicians. Together, they faithfully recreate the band’s intricately layered studio recordings in a concert setting.
Ticket Prices
Seeing The Doobie Brothers live in concert is a dream come true for many fans. But how much do tickets cost for their 50th anniversary tour stops in Canada? Ticket prices vary depending on the city and venue. Here are some average Doobie Brothers ticket prices for their 2022 Canadian concerts:
City | Venue | Average Ticket Price |
---|---|---|
Toronto | Budweiser Stage | $125 |
Quebec City | Centre Videotron | $85 |
Montreal | Centre Bell | $110 |
Penticton | South Okanagan Events Centre | $80 |
Kelowna | Prospera Place | $90 |
Vancouver | Rogers Arena | $130 |
As shown in the table, tickets range from around $80 USD to $130 USD depending on the Canadian concert. Larger cities like Toronto and Vancouver commanded higher average asking prices on the secondary market. Smaller venues had more affordable tickets available. Overall, fans have been willing to pay premium prices to see rock and roll legends The Doobie Brothers live on their 50th anniversary tour.
Fan Reactions
The Doobie Brothers have received glowing reviews from fans and critics alike as they’ve toured Canada in 2022. Here are some fan reactions from their recent Canadian concerts:
- “One of the best shows I’ve ever seen! The Doobie Brothers sounded amazing. Tom Johnston’s voice is still powerful after all these years.” – Vancouver fan
- “Amazing setlist with all their classics and some deep cuts too. The whole band was energetic and really seemed to be enjoying themselves.” – Toronto fan
- “The light show and video screens made it an unforgettable concert experience. And hearing the hits live gave me chills!” – Montreal fan
- “They jammed out on a few songs and showed off their instrumental chops. The Doobie Brothers still have killer guitar and percussion solos in their arsenal.” – Kelowna fan
- “Pat Simmons’ voice sounded so good, especially on ‘Black Water’. He and Tom Johnston still harmonize perfectly.” – Quebec City fan
The commonly held opinion is that The Doobie Brothers have only gotten better with age. Their 50th anniversary tour shows the band still sounds as tight as ever. The twin lead vocals of Tom Johnston and Pat Simmons continue to anchor their live performance. After five decades, The Doobie Brothers clearly still have the musical chops to deliver unforgettable arena rock concerts.
Setlist Variations
While The Doobie Brothers have a core setlist they are drawing from on this tour, they do vary it up from night to night. They have a large catalog of hits to choose from, so fans at multiple shows may get to hear different selections. Here are some of the songs that have rotated in and out of setlists during their Canadian concerts:
– “Rockin’ Down the Highway”
– “Jesus Is Just Alright”
– “Dangerous”
– “South City Midnight Lady”
– “Little Darling (I Need You)”
– “Black Water”
– “The Doctor”
– “Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While)”
Their deep catalog allows The Doobie Brothers to keep their shows fresh. One night they may open with the biker anthem “Rockin’ Down the Highway,” while another may start with “Jesus Is Just Alright.” Longtime favorites like “Black Water” and “The Doctor” sometimes shift setlist positions or get swapped out altogether. The spontaneous setlist variations delight fans seeing the band on consecutive nights.
Cover Songs
In addition to playing their own legendary catalog of hits, The Doobie Brothers also mix in some cover songs on their 50th anniversary tour. These covers allow them to pay tribute to artists they admire. Here are a few of the covers heard at their 2022 Canadian concerts:
- “Take Me to the River” – Originally by Al Green
- “I Walk on Gilded Splinters” – Originally by Dr. John
- “Leaving on a Jet Plane” – Originally by John Denver
- “Roadhouse Blues” – Originally by The Doors
Tom Johnston’s soulful voice does justice to the Al Green classic “Take Me to the River,” while Pat Simmons often takes the lead on folk standard “Leaving on a Jet Plane.” The whole band jams hard when they tackle The Doors’ “Roadhouse Blues.” These well-chosen covers allow The Doobie Brothers to showcase their musical range and influences. The crowd always responds enthusiastically when they dust off an old favorite from another iconic artist.
Changes Between Now and Past Tours
While the current 50th anniversary tour features The Doobie Brothers’ trademark sound, there have been some changes compared to their past tours. Here are some of the key differences fans may notice:
- Expanded use of video screens/lighting for more visual impact
- No Michael McDonald in the band – He was a fixture in the ’70s and early reunions
- Emphasis on deep album cuts rather than just the hits
- Tom Johnston and Pat Simmons mostly play acoustic instead of electric guitars
- New backup singers and supporting musicians
- Reduced flute parts since the passing of Jeff “Skunk” Baxter
- More varied setlists from night to night
While the current lineup respects the band’s heritage, they also aim to keep the show fresh in 2022. The dazzling modern production incorporates video and lighting effects that weren’t available in the ’70s and ’80s. And the expanded setlists provide some surprises for hardcore fans who’ve seen the band live multiple times over their long career. However, the powerful guitar work, intertwining harmonies, and rock-solid rhythms remain unchanged. The Doobie Brothers are bridging their past and present seamlessly on their 50th anniversary tour.
Postponed Dates Due to COVID-19
Like many touring bands, The Doobie Brothers had to postpone some tour dates in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Below are the Canadian dates that were initially scheduled but later postponed:
- Toronto – July 7, 2020 at Budweiser Stage
- Quebec City – July 10, 2020 at Centre Videotron
- Ottawa – July 14, 2020 at Canadian Tire Centre
- London – July 17, 2020 at Budweiser Gardens
- Saskatoon – October 1, 2020 at SaskTel Centre
- Winnipeg – October 3, 2020 at Bell MTS Place
Thankfully the band has been able to return to Canada in 2022 to make up the postponed shows in Toronto, Quebec City, and select other cities. However, they were not able to ultimately reschedule all of the original dates, including concerts planned for Ottawa, London, Saskatoon, and Winnipeg. The global health crisis forced The Doobie Brothers to cancel or postpone dozens of tour stops, so some cities unfortunately got left off the redrawn schedule. But Canadian fans are grateful the band is back on the road again!
Reaction to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction
In October 2020, The Doobie Brothers were finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame after 25+ years of eligibility. Below are some quotes that capture the band’s reaction to this long-overdue honor:
- “It seems surreal. It’s such a prestigious organization and so many of our peers have already been inducted. To finally be recognized ourselves is humbling.” – Tom Johnston
- “To be validated by our peers for the work we’ve done and be included with so many influential musicians we admire means the world.” – Pat Simmons
- “I knew we deserved to be in there someday. The Doobie Brothers helped define a decade of rock music.” – John McFee
- “People have been asking me for 15 years whether we’ll ever make it into the Hall of Fame. I’m thrilled we can finally say we’ve earned our place.” – John Cowan
The band graciously accepted the honor and recognized that their induction was long overdue. They hope it will cement their legacy and introduce their music to younger generations. With humorous nods to marijuana references in songs like “Long Train Runnin'” and “China Grove,” The Doobie Brothers embraced the full recognition of their career contributions. It was a celebratory night honoring the band’s lasting impact.
Looking Ahead to the Future
The Doobie Brothers show no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Once their current 50th anniversary tour wraps up in late 2022, what does the future likely hold for the band?
- At least another 2-3 years of worldwide touring
- Potential new singles or an album of completely new material
- More archival live releases from their 1970s heyday
- Induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame
- Guest appearances sitting in with other artists
- A Las Vegas or Broadway residency
- One or two members potentially retiring from touring
- Continued pop culture presence with songs featured in ads, movies, etc.
Given the band members’ ongoing energy and engagement, The Doobie Brothers likely have more touring ahead. Recording new music together also remains a possibility. They will keep celebrating their legacy while staying relevant through high-profile special performances. Fans can count on hearing The Doobie Brothers’ music for many years to come, even as the lineup evolves over time.
Conclusion
Over 50 years into their storied career, The Doobie Brothers continue to deliver memorable concert experiences to loyal fans all over the world. Their 2022 tour stops in Canada prove the band still knows how to rock arenas with their extensive catalog of hits. From Vancouver to Quebec City, audiences are singing along to classic Doobie Brothers tunes. The band’s instrumental and vocal prowess remains largely unchanged, even if the production and setlists have modernized. Diehard fans will keep following The Doobie Brothers around on tour as long as their health permits. Here’s to many more years of the band keeping the music playing live for their Canadian fans!