The Doobie Brothers are another band that I have a renewed appreciation for in the past couple of years.

I have had the good fortune to see the Doobie Brothers, without Michael McDonald, a number of times recently and I saw Michael McDonald perform a “holiday and hits” show at the former Westbury Music Fair this past December.

One tends to forget just how many great songs the Doobie Brothers have in their catalog and how many hit songs are credited to the band; their show is high energy, a lot of fun and is sure to put a smile on your face.

Michael McDonald still has one of the great distinctive voices in rock and roll. I had wanted to see him with Donald Fagan and Boz Scaggs with the Dukes of September somewhat recently but missed them somehow.

I did however have close encounter with Mr. McDonald a couple of years back. I drive livery on the side and I was dispatched to a hotel n Manhattan to pick up a Michael McDonald and take him and his party to LaGuardia Airport. I am sure there are more than a couple of Michael McDonalds in the phone book but when I pulled up to the front of the hotel THE Michael McDonald stepped out with a second guy and away we went.

Seeing McDonald like this reminded me that my buddy Sandy has a photo of Michael and him taken in the hallway at Madison Square Garden after a Bob Seger show where Bruce Springsteen showed up and played a tune with Seger. Eagle-eye Sandy spotted McDonald blending in with the crowd trying to exit inconspicuously with a young lady who was apparently his daughter. Sandy swooped in and placed a bear hug clutch around Michael and he had his son Ben quickly take the photo; Michael was going nowhere until this photo was taken (or the ransom was paid) and this meeting of the two legends was documented for posterity.

During our drive to the airport I did not bother the two musicians as I maintained my professional demeanor throughout (of course) but I do admit to eavesdropping a bit after Boz Scaggs was mentioned in passing. Mr. McDonald seemed like a nice guy (and yes he does tip).

Takin’ It to the Streets

Rock on

GQ