While the Doobie Brothers will hit the road later this week to begin the next leg of their 50th Anniversary Tour, they will do so without founding member Tom Johnston. The guitarist/vocalist has been suffering from severe back pain and will undergo surgery. “Per advisement of his physician, Johnston should not be performing at this time,” reads a note posted on social feeds by The Doobie Brothers announcing Tom’s absence from the upcoming trek.
Longtime members Pat Simmons, Michael McDonald and John McFee will proceed with the tour starting this Thursday, May 25 in Hollywood, Florida. The Doobie Brothers are slated to bring the trek to cities across North America through October. Johnston will return to the stage “as soon as possible” once his physician clears him.
“I hope for a speedy recovery and can’t wait to get back on the road and continue doing what I love,” Johnston explained in a statement. “I would like to thank Pat, Michael, John and the entire Doobie Brothers band for covering for me while I recover from back surgery. … I’m sure they will bring it every night as they always do.”
The 50th Anniversary Tour was originally scheduled to begin in 2020. However, the pandemic led to a year-long delay. The Doobie Brothers have played in numerous countries since launching the tour in 2021. The tour marks McDonald’s first with the band in over 25 years.
Read the full note and check out a complete list of tour dates below:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Csi3XQkLKPP/?hl=en
