The Doobie Brothers became of the top rock bands in America in the early '70s, but the touring took a toll on lead singer Tom Johnston, and he had to leave the band for health reasons in 1975. His replacement was Michael McDonald, who turned the band more towards blue-eyed soul. McDonald was with the group until they split up in 1982; when they re-formed a few years later, Johnston returned.
McDonald, who along with Jeff "Skunk" Baxter had recorded with Steely Dan, joined the Doobies to play keyboards, sing backing vocals, and maybe contribute some songs. He became their frontman at the urging of guitarist Patrick Simmons, who was expected to take over that role. In the studio, when McDonald sang his song "Takin' It To the Streets" for producer Ted Templeman, there was no question he was their new lead singer.
In a 1986 Los Angeles Times poll, the Doobie Brothers were the band that readers most wanted to reunite, behind Led Zeppelin. They first got back together in 1987 to play a benefit concert for the Vietnam Veterans Aid Foundation at the Hollywood Bowl, which was the fastest show to sell out there since the Beatles played in the mid-1960s. Over the next year, they worked on a new album and hashed out plans for a tour. That album, Cycles, was released in 1989 and landed them a hit with "The Doctor."
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