The Doobie Brothers Live from the Coliseum on December 10, 1978

Posters, apparel and photography featuring The Doobie Brothers only at Wolfgang's Vault

The Doobie Brothers

The Doobie's early career, with Tom Johnston in the lead vocal spot, yielded the majority of their hits. Their second release, Toulouse Street , launched the band into the spotlight with the hit Listen to the Music. Also on this album were Rockin' Down the Highway, and a pretty little song that was not a hit, but one of my favorites, White Sun.

Following Tolouse Street was The Captain and Me , probably their biggest commercial success. The Captain & Me is one of those 70's albums that is totally solid, from the first track to the last, a classic in every sense of the word.

What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits followed, continuing the great string started by it's two predecessors. One of my personal favorites on this album is "Down In The Track". What a rocker, in the classic Doobie style.

Stampede rounds out the list of the early Tom Johnston albums. This album is maybe not quite as solid as the three listed above, but is still one of the classics. Of note on this album is "I Cheat The Hangman", which is a bit of a departure from standard Doobies fare, but a great song, and for those of us fortunate to see this song done live, is sure to bring back memories of a progressively rapid-turning mirror ball. Definitely a head-trip.

My biggest regret about the Doobies early work is that they did not release a live album. However, this was rectified when Tom got back together with the Doobies in the 90's and released "Rockin' Down the Highway, The Wildlife Concert". This is a two CD set that is well worth the 'ticket' price. "The Best of the Doobies Live" also features a selection of their songs recorded live. Also live is "The Farewell Tour", released in 1983. I'm sure glad that the album name turned out to be incorrect, and that the Doobies are still rockin' down the highway.

China Grove Words And Music by Tom Johnston When the sun comes up on a sleepy little town down around San Antone and the folks are risin’ for another day ‘round about their homes. The people of the town are strange and they’re proud of where they came. Well, you’re talkin’ ‘bout China Grove, wo, oh, oh, oh, China Grove. Well, the preacher and the teacher, Lord, they’re a caution, they are the talk of the town. When the gossip gets to flyin’ and they ain’t lyin’; when the sun goes fallin’ down. They say that the father’s insane and dear Missus Perkin’s a game. We're talkin’ ‘bout the China Grove, wo, oh, oh, oh, China Grove. But ev’ryday there’s a new thing comin’, the ways of an oriental view. The sheriff and his buddies with their samurai swords, you can even hear the music at night. And though it’s part of the Lone Star State people don’t seem to care, they just keep on lookin’ to the East. Talkin' 'bout the China Grove, oh, China Grove.

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