Doobie Brothers- Stampede 50th- Tom Johnston, Pat Simmons 4-28

Even a half-century after its April 1975 release, the two things I recall most about Stampede, the fifth album from San Jose’s Doobie Brothers, was the duality evident in the band’s emerging sound. There was the noticeable sophistication in the sweeping symphonic arrangements by concert master Nick DeCaro, embellishing Pat Simmons’ ostensibly acoustic ballad “I Cheat he Hangman”, but in stark contrast to the Doobie Brothers’ big hit with the Motown cover of “Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me for a Little While)”.

Meanwhile, the Doobie Brothers’ brutal non-stop touring schedule then was about to move multiple original members from Injured Reserve to the Disabled List, including singer/songwriter/frontman guitarist Tom Johnston. Band co-founders Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons join me In the Studio for the golden anniversary of Stampede by the Doobie Brothers the week of April 28. -Redbeard