Doobie Brothers

Jack Latimer · From: Ontario, Canada

Caught the Doobie Brothers in concert last night at a local Casino. What a surprise to see a PSG on stage. John McPhee only used it on one number, but as a new PSG player myself it became one of the most interesting songs for me to listen to. If you were a fan of the band in the past, catch them if you can. They are still cookin' today.

Rick Garrett · From: Tyler, Texas

Aw comon man tell us the song.

Rick

Ray Minich · From: Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra

Saw them in western New York 2 years ago and they cooked then, but didn't play anything needing steel at the time (Tommy Johnston (SP?) makes up for it with the likes of "Eyes of Silver" & "Down at the Track".

Billy Carr · From: Seminary, Mississippi, USA (deceased)

I remember seeing the Doobie Brothers on TV years ago and they had a steel player playing an old Sierra, rosewood mica. I don't know what was the most fun, watching him shake his long hair everytime he played a ride or listening to him playing guitar licks on the Sierra. This was probably 20 or 25 years ago. What he played actually fit into the music. I remember that.

Klaus Caprani · From: Copenhagen, Denmark

Wasn't that Jeff "Skunk" Baxter playing steel back then?

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Klaus Caprani

MCI RangeXpander S-10 3x4
www.klauscaprani.com

Bill Tauson · From: Chino Valley, Az.

I believe if you check one of their early cd's. (once vices now habits, if I can remember that far back), Skunk Baxter played steel.

Roger Miller · From: Cedar Falls, Ia.

"South City Midnight Lady" was a great steeling tune. Jeff Baxter is quite deversified.

Jack Latimer · From: Ontario, Canada

Sorry didn't recognize the song. It wasn't one of their big hits, but it sure sounded great. John McPhee also played violin on Black Water and the whole thing sounded like the original recording.

Billy McCoy · From: Ft. Worth, Texas, USA

Yes, John plays several instruments.....
Once dated Emy Lou Harris from what I understand...and John is a HUGE country music fan.

The number that I remember John playing steel on the last few years was an upbeat country crossover song by the name of STEAMERLENE Breakdown. Not sure if I spelled it correctly.

You guys might remember the country group in the 80s and early 90's "Southern Pacific".
This was John on guitar and lead vocals along with longtime friend Keith Knudson on drums who was the drummer for the Doobie bro. as well. Keith unfortunately passed away a few months ago.....at age 52.
I think it was Cancer.

b

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MSA Millennium D10, Walker Stereo Steel, Stone Tree Custom Tele, LINE 6 Vetta II and POD XT PRO

Paul Honeycutt · From: Colorado, USA

The song was "Steamer Lane Breakedown." Steamer Lane was a popular surfing spot near Santa Cruz.
At one point the other singer in Southern Pacific got a large inheirtance, so he quit the band. Shouldn't he have kept the band going 'til the money ran out?

Jack Latimer · From: Ontario, Canada

That could very well be the song. I was really impressed with John's playing and with the entire band as musicians.

[This message was edited by Jack Latimer on 30 July 2005 at 02:21 PM.]

Mark van Allen · From: Watkinsville, Ga. USA

If you ever get a chance to see a repeat of the Southern Pacific shows from Austin City Limits you're in for a real treat. The original lineup of the band was so tight and HOT! I need to look around here and find the copy I made- McFee was really amazing. I don't remember seeing a concert tape where every note was as well placed, and "committed". Excellent band. I do remember John playing pedal steel on a few songs from the set.

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Stop by the Steel Store at: www.markvanallen.com

Peter Dollard · Posted 7 Aug 2005 2:59 pm

McFee started out in the Sonoma County California area in the early seventies with a band named Clover. He regularly played anything with strings including steel, lead, and fiddle. He was a true virtuoso but I suppose he was most well known for his standard guitar playing. The band added an obscure harp player named Huey Lewis who later formed a band called the "News" and went on to rock and roll fame..John was and is amazing .....

[This message was edited by Peter Dollard on 07 August 2005 at 04:00 PM.]

Jim Phelps · From: Mexico City, Mexico

I knew I shoulda stayed in Sonoma County.

So Skunk isn't playing with them at all anymore?

Mark Eaton · Posted 8 Aug 2005 8:57 am

Jim-you apparently haven't heard the latest on Jeff. From Doobie Brothers to Defense Consultant. Jeff "Skunk" Baxter now works in the defense industry as a counterterrorism expert. I read a May 25th article in the Wall Street Journal. I tried to post a link, but you have to be an online subscriber.

It's true-Skunk started getting into this a number of years ago and has a consulting business as a counterterrorism expert. He still plays music, but this is his main "gig" now.

I thought he played some real nice steel on some of the Doobies tunes. Billy McCoy mentioned about his friend, Doobies drummer Keith Knudsen passing away. He lived here in Sonoma County, along with another drummer who passed away several months ago-former Jefferson Airplane and New Riders drummer Spencer Dryden.

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Mark

[This message was edited by Mark Eaton on 08 August 2005 at 09:58 AM.]

Jim Phelps · From: Mexico City, Mexico

Thanks Mark, I did know about Jeff's defense thing but as you said I heard he still played music too, so I thought maybe he might still gig with the Doobies.

Lots of great musicians (and cartoonists, good grief!) from Sonoma County. I lived there a short time, from about '75-77 and loved it. Miss it.

[This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 08 August 2005 at 11:28 AM.]

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