Doobie Brothers played what will probably turn out to be the most unusual show of their current 50th Anniversary tour last night in Falcon Heights, Minnesota as they went without the services of Michael McDonald. The keyboardist/vocalist reunited with the group for this tour but missed Tuesday’s concert at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand due to what bandmates hinted was a case of COVID-19. This morning, the Doobie Brothers announced their next four shows have been postponed.
The Doobie Brothers postponed performances planned for Clarkston, Michigan on Thursday; Burgettstown, Pennsylvania on Saturday; Toledo, Ohio on Sunday and Cincinnati on Wednesday, September 8 after confirming “a member of the touring personnel has tested positive with COVID-19.” New dates will be announced soon with ticketholders encouraged to hold on to their tickets for the rescheduled concerts.
Co-founding member Patrick Simmons discussed McDonald’s absence after the Doobie Brothers opened last night’s show with “Nobody” and “Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me).” Simmons noted Michael is, “recuperating and isolating. We hope to have him back in a week or so” as per the Star Tribune. “He’s had his vaccine,” Simmons added. “But the show must go on.”
The show also went on without opening act Dirty Dozen Brass Band who may have been dealing with the effects of Hurricane Ida on their native New Orleans. Last night’s performance came one week into a run originally scheduled for 2020 that was postponed due to the pandemic. The Doobie Brothers are touring with a COVID compliance offer and the Star Tribune’s report noted all band members and crew are vaccinated.
McDonald is touring with the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame act for the first time in over 25 years. Setlists from the first few shows have included a number of songs that showcase the Yacht Rock superstar such as “Minute By Minute,” “What A Fool Believes” and “It Keeps You Runnin.’” The Doobie Brothers didn’t play any of those songs last night. Yet plenty of hits were performed including “Takin’ It To The Streets,” “Jesus Is Just Alright,” “Long Train Runnin’,” “China Grove,” “Black Water” and “Listen To The Music.”
The Doobie Brothers tour is expected to resume at Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio on September 9. Watch fan-shot video featuring two songs from the McDonald-less show captured by Ryan Johnson below:
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Long Train Runnin’
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Black Water
Setlist (via Setlist.FM)
Set: Nobody, Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me), Here To Love You, Spirit, South City Midnight Lady, Ukiah, Clear As The Driven Snow, Dark Eyed Cajun Woman, Better Days, Takin’ It To The Streets, Wheels Of Fortune, World Gone Crazy, Don’t Ya Mess With Me, Eyes Of Silver, Neal’s Fandango, Without You, Sweet Maxine, Jesus Is Just Alright, Rockin’ Down The Highway, Long Train Runnin’, China Grove
Encore: Black Water, Listen To The Music
