1 00:00:00,480 --> 00:00:01,240 Speaker 1: Taking a Walk. 2 00:00:01,320 --> 00:00:04,000 Speaker 2: When Tommy took a leave of absence, Jeff said, well, 3 00:00:04,040 --> 00:00:06,240 Speaker 2: I know, how about Mike mcconod. You remember that guy. 4 00:00:06,280 --> 00:00:08,520 Speaker 2: I go, yeah, he's great, he goes, what do you 5 00:00:08,560 --> 00:00:11,360 Speaker 2: think I go? You should call him. I didn't really 6 00:00:11,400 --> 00:00:13,720 Speaker 2: think of anything except Mike was going to be a 7 00:00:13,760 --> 00:00:16,599 Speaker 2: background singer and I was gonna end up having to 8 00:00:16,640 --> 00:00:21,639 Speaker 2: take over the lead vocals slot and pleasantly surprised that 9 00:00:22,040 --> 00:00:24,319 Speaker 2: Mike was a great singer and kind of took the 10 00:00:24,360 --> 00:00:25,560 Speaker 2: weight off my shoulders. 11 00:00:25,680 --> 00:00:28,520 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Taking a Walk Podcast with your host 12 00:00:28,560 --> 00:00:32,800 Speaker 1: Buzz Night. Buzz explores the fascinating stories and journeys of 13 00:00:32,880 --> 00:00:36,400 Speaker 1: some of the most iconic figures in music today. He's 14 00:00:36,479 --> 00:00:40,000 Speaker 1: joined by a true legend of rock and roll, Patrick Simmons, 15 00:00:40,200 --> 00:00:43,760 Speaker 1: the guitarist and vocalist of the legendary band The Doobie Brothers. 16 00:00:44,040 --> 00:00:45,640 Speaker 3: With a career spanning over. 17 00:00:45,479 --> 00:00:48,320 Speaker 1: Five decades, Patrick has been part of some of the 18 00:00:48,320 --> 00:00:52,120 Speaker 1: most memorable hits in rock history. Here's Buzz Night and 19 00:00:52,240 --> 00:00:55,120 Speaker 1: Patrick Simmons on the Taking a Walk Podcast. 20 00:00:56,760 --> 00:00:59,880 Speaker 4: Patrick Simmons, great to have you on Taking a Walk. 21 00:00:59,880 --> 00:01:02,280 Speaker 2: You Ke Bus, great to be here. Appreciate your taking 22 00:01:02,320 --> 00:01:03,080 Speaker 2: the time. 23 00:01:03,560 --> 00:01:08,080 Speaker 4: So since the podcast is called taking a Walk, if 24 00:01:08,120 --> 00:01:11,240 Speaker 4: you could take a walk with someone living or dead, 25 00:01:12,080 --> 00:01:14,280 Speaker 4: it doesn't have to be in the music world, but 26 00:01:14,360 --> 00:01:16,120 Speaker 4: it certainly could be. 27 00:01:16,840 --> 00:01:20,240 Speaker 3: Who would it be and where would you take a walk? 28 00:01:21,240 --> 00:01:25,960 Speaker 2: I'd probably take a walk with Barack Obama and Jimmy Carter, 29 00:01:26,959 --> 00:01:30,280 Speaker 2: and I don't care where we walk. We don't have 30 00:01:30,360 --> 00:01:33,200 Speaker 2: to walk where you just stand there wherever they want 31 00:01:33,240 --> 00:01:34,520 Speaker 2: to walk. That's where I'd be going. 32 00:01:35,200 --> 00:01:36,800 Speaker 3: That's a powerful group, man. 33 00:01:37,319 --> 00:01:40,000 Speaker 4: You get the Secret Service out of the way, and 34 00:01:40,040 --> 00:01:42,120 Speaker 4: you guys could have some peace and quiet. 35 00:01:41,840 --> 00:01:44,280 Speaker 2: Right, Yeah, we don't need it. 36 00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:48,360 Speaker 4: So talk about the beginning of the journey, the Patrick 37 00:01:48,440 --> 00:01:53,280 Speaker 4: Simmons Doobie Brothers journey. How did it start and how 38 00:01:53,280 --> 00:01:54,920 Speaker 4: did you first become a Doobie. 39 00:01:55,880 --> 00:01:58,960 Speaker 2: Well, let's see, Well, I was living in San Jose. 40 00:01:59,400 --> 00:02:02,680 Speaker 2: I grew up in San Jose. I was, you know, 41 00:02:02,800 --> 00:02:08,000 Speaker 2: been playing around town since I was a young teenager, 42 00:02:08,480 --> 00:02:13,240 Speaker 2: clubs and stuff around the area. And you know, I've 43 00:02:13,240 --> 00:02:15,959 Speaker 2: been in quite a few different bands, you know, high 44 00:02:16,000 --> 00:02:19,000 Speaker 2: school bands and stuff, and a little bit when I 45 00:02:19,040 --> 00:02:22,760 Speaker 2: was in college and I was playing a club one 46 00:02:22,880 --> 00:02:29,919 Speaker 2: night in a suburb of San Jose and I got 47 00:02:30,160 --> 00:02:35,679 Speaker 2: booked with Skip Spence and the band that he had 48 00:02:35,720 --> 00:02:38,960 Speaker 2: at the time, and it turns out that the band 49 00:02:39,080 --> 00:02:43,600 Speaker 2: was made up of Skip. Skip was a guitar player 50 00:02:43,600 --> 00:02:46,600 Speaker 2: with a band called Moby Grape he had and it 51 00:02:46,680 --> 00:02:51,960 Speaker 2: was also the first drummer for the Jefferson Airplane. But anyway, 52 00:02:52,080 --> 00:02:56,079 Speaker 2: I had a little duo with another guy and we 53 00:02:56,120 --> 00:02:59,040 Speaker 2: opened the show and Skip was there with his band, 54 00:02:59,360 --> 00:03:03,359 Speaker 2: which was John Hartman on drums, who later became the 55 00:03:03,400 --> 00:03:08,960 Speaker 2: first Doobie Brother drummer, Tom Johnston guitar player for the 56 00:03:09,040 --> 00:03:13,120 Speaker 2: Doobies eventually, and another guy that they had planned bass 57 00:03:13,720 --> 00:03:18,520 Speaker 2: at the time, And so we did a set and 58 00:03:18,560 --> 00:03:21,320 Speaker 2: then Skipping the guys did a set, and after I 59 00:03:21,400 --> 00:03:24,000 Speaker 2: knew Skip, I was friends with him, and so I 60 00:03:24,040 --> 00:03:27,640 Speaker 2: went up afterwards to say hi, and he introduced me 61 00:03:27,720 --> 00:03:31,120 Speaker 2: to Tom and John, which was really cool. I really 62 00:03:31,600 --> 00:03:34,480 Speaker 2: you know, they were great guys, and that was sort 63 00:03:34,480 --> 00:03:40,360 Speaker 2: of my introduction to those guys. And John informed me 64 00:03:40,440 --> 00:03:42,839 Speaker 2: that they were putting together a band and they were 65 00:03:42,840 --> 00:03:45,400 Speaker 2: trying to find some of the players. Would I be 66 00:03:45,480 --> 00:03:47,480 Speaker 2: interested And I said no. 67 00:03:48,320 --> 00:03:48,400 Speaker 4: I. 68 00:03:50,200 --> 00:03:51,840 Speaker 2: Had a band of guys that I was playing with 69 00:03:51,880 --> 00:03:56,200 Speaker 2: at the time, but I would love to come and 70 00:03:56,240 --> 00:04:01,920 Speaker 2: hang out because I really like them as musicians, and 71 00:04:02,880 --> 00:04:05,560 Speaker 2: I really thought they were great, both of them, and 72 00:04:07,160 --> 00:04:08,840 Speaker 2: I thought Skip was going to be a part of it. 73 00:04:08,880 --> 00:04:12,240 Speaker 2: In turns how Skip wasn't. So anyway, I started hanging 74 00:04:12,240 --> 00:04:14,760 Speaker 2: out with the guys Tom and John, just going over 75 00:04:14,760 --> 00:04:18,480 Speaker 2: there and you know, jamming once in a while and 76 00:04:19,680 --> 00:04:23,040 Speaker 2: hanging out. We became friends, and I don't know, it 77 00:04:23,120 --> 00:04:25,600 Speaker 2: was probably six months later something like that, they had 78 00:04:25,600 --> 00:04:29,400 Speaker 2: a gig at a club in town called the Chateau Libertay, 79 00:04:30,000 --> 00:04:32,719 Speaker 2: which I had played at with some of the guys 80 00:04:33,520 --> 00:04:37,480 Speaker 2: prior to that time, but that was their first gig. 81 00:04:38,120 --> 00:04:40,600 Speaker 2: And they said, hey, we you know, would you be interested. 82 00:04:40,640 --> 00:04:43,840 Speaker 2: We need somebody to kind of help us round out 83 00:04:43,640 --> 00:04:48,240 Speaker 2: the set, and we need some more songs to do 84 00:04:48,320 --> 00:04:51,840 Speaker 2: an evening of music. Would you feel like coming and 85 00:04:51,880 --> 00:04:55,359 Speaker 2: sitting in with us and playing we can rehearse, And 86 00:04:55,400 --> 00:04:59,680 Speaker 2: so I said sure. And so we were sitting around 87 00:05:00,600 --> 00:05:05,560 Speaker 2: smoking some kind of herb herbal substance. 88 00:05:05,880 --> 00:05:08,360 Speaker 3: God's Green Earth as Henry Dilts. 89 00:05:08,200 --> 00:05:11,359 Speaker 2: Exactly, and one of the guys who lived in the 90 00:05:11,360 --> 00:05:14,159 Speaker 2: house there said, God, you guys smoke so much of weed. 91 00:05:14,160 --> 00:05:18,119 Speaker 2: You should call yourselves the Doobie Brothers, and so we said, oh, 92 00:05:18,400 --> 00:05:21,279 Speaker 2: that's a good idea. We don't have a name. So 93 00:05:21,400 --> 00:05:24,159 Speaker 2: we booked ourselves as the Doobie Brothers from this first 94 00:05:24,200 --> 00:05:27,760 Speaker 2: gig at the Chateau Libertay, which we became kind of 95 00:05:27,760 --> 00:05:31,520 Speaker 2: the house band after that. We ended up going back 96 00:05:31,560 --> 00:05:35,479 Speaker 2: there countless times and playing. But that was our first gig, 97 00:05:36,080 --> 00:05:38,279 Speaker 2: and that was you know, we were the Doobie Brothers 98 00:05:38,320 --> 00:05:39,360 Speaker 2: on day one. 99 00:05:40,600 --> 00:05:44,920 Speaker 3: And this guy Dino Rosen Keith Dinoh Rosen. 100 00:05:45,000 --> 00:05:48,039 Speaker 4: I believe he's the guy that suggested you call yourself 101 00:05:48,279 --> 00:05:48,880 Speaker 4: the Doobies. 102 00:05:48,960 --> 00:05:50,080 Speaker 3: Is that correct? 103 00:05:50,760 --> 00:05:52,520 Speaker 2: It is correct, yeah, But. 104 00:05:52,600 --> 00:05:55,159 Speaker 3: You thought you might find another name for the band. 105 00:05:56,520 --> 00:05:58,919 Speaker 2: Absolutely, you know, we thought that was a silly, you 106 00:05:58,960 --> 00:06:02,920 Speaker 2: know name that was just for that night. And then 107 00:06:03,520 --> 00:06:06,279 Speaker 2: you know, we got a great favorable reaction at the 108 00:06:06,279 --> 00:06:08,560 Speaker 2: club when we played, and so we thought, well, you know, 109 00:06:08,880 --> 00:06:11,200 Speaker 2: and they asked us back. You know, hey, you got 110 00:06:11,279 --> 00:06:14,360 Speaker 2: you know, immediately called us and want us to come 111 00:06:14,400 --> 00:06:17,680 Speaker 2: back and play. So we thought, well, gosh, everybody thinks 112 00:06:17,680 --> 00:06:19,719 Speaker 2: we're the Doobie Brothers. We'll get to hang stick with 113 00:06:19,839 --> 00:06:22,800 Speaker 2: that name for a while anyway, And we thought, you know, 114 00:06:22,920 --> 00:06:27,840 Speaker 2: when we got when we start shopping a record deal. 115 00:06:28,040 --> 00:06:32,039 Speaker 2: We went to several few different record labels, and we 116 00:06:32,120 --> 00:06:34,880 Speaker 2: thought by the time we maybe if if we got 117 00:06:34,880 --> 00:06:37,960 Speaker 2: a deal, that we'd probably end up changing our name. 118 00:06:38,040 --> 00:06:41,520 Speaker 2: But Warner Brothers signed us and they really liked the name. 119 00:06:41,720 --> 00:06:46,320 Speaker 4: So were there any second or third choice names that 120 00:06:46,400 --> 00:06:46,960 Speaker 4: you remember? 121 00:06:48,320 --> 00:06:51,200 Speaker 2: No, I don't think we ever after that. We never 122 00:06:51,279 --> 00:06:55,240 Speaker 2: really well, we thought it was going to be a problem, 123 00:06:55,440 --> 00:06:59,080 Speaker 2: you know, because the it was a little early in 124 00:06:59,120 --> 00:07:03,200 Speaker 2: the the pot scene for you know, a lot of 125 00:07:03,200 --> 00:07:05,919 Speaker 2: people were smoking pod. But you know, now it's like 126 00:07:06,760 --> 00:07:10,880 Speaker 2: everybody smokes pot. We don't even smoke pot anymore. We're 127 00:07:10,960 --> 00:07:13,400 Speaker 2: kind of over it. Well everybody else I know. 128 00:07:13,520 --> 00:07:18,720 Speaker 3: Does It's funny how times have changed. Gambling's legal, pot's legal? 129 00:07:18,960 --> 00:07:22,680 Speaker 2: Right, Yeah, would have thought, right, Yeah. 130 00:07:23,200 --> 00:07:29,720 Speaker 4: So the band dynamics certainly were interesting when you guys 131 00:07:30,160 --> 00:07:35,920 Speaker 4: ran into this guy Jeff Skunk Baxter, right, which which 132 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:39,520 Speaker 4: was an interesting time. How the Doobies and sort of 133 00:07:39,880 --> 00:07:43,720 Speaker 4: Steely Dan became intertwined. Can you talk about that period 134 00:07:43,760 --> 00:07:47,280 Speaker 4: when you first encountered Skunk and certainly he had a 135 00:07:47,320 --> 00:07:48,920 Speaker 4: great influence on the band. 136 00:07:51,160 --> 00:07:55,280 Speaker 2: We had, you know, a lot of shows with Steely Dan, 137 00:07:56,240 --> 00:08:01,440 Speaker 2: probably seventy two nineteen seventy two, we went on the 138 00:08:01,520 --> 00:08:04,840 Speaker 2: road and we did a number of shows with this. 139 00:08:05,680 --> 00:08:11,560 Speaker 2: It was see it was Marshall Tucker opened, Steely Dan played, 140 00:08:12,320 --> 00:08:20,640 Speaker 2: We played, and then Savoy blues band Kim Simmons, they 141 00:08:20,680 --> 00:08:24,560 Speaker 2: were the headliners. And so that was the bill, four bands, 142 00:08:24,600 --> 00:08:27,080 Speaker 2: and it was a bit large bill, and we did 143 00:08:27,320 --> 00:08:31,320 Speaker 2: a number of shows with with that, all those guys, 144 00:08:31,600 --> 00:08:35,200 Speaker 2: and then we played some other shows later on with STEELYE. Dan, 145 00:08:36,360 --> 00:08:40,000 Speaker 2: I think with the Beach Boys maybe and some other 146 00:08:40,280 --> 00:08:44,240 Speaker 2: some other bands. But we got to be friends with 147 00:08:44,280 --> 00:08:49,720 Speaker 2: those guys, and particularly Jeff, who's really you know, was 148 00:08:49,920 --> 00:08:54,120 Speaker 2: very outgoing, and at that time Jeff was living in 149 00:08:54,240 --> 00:08:56,160 Speaker 2: LA I think most of the guys were living in 150 00:08:56,280 --> 00:08:59,720 Speaker 2: la but Jeff would had really gotten into the scene 151 00:08:59,720 --> 00:09:05,199 Speaker 2: there doing sessions and stuff around town. And I particularly 152 00:09:05,240 --> 00:09:07,200 Speaker 2: got to be friends with Jeff and I you know, 153 00:09:07,200 --> 00:09:09,640 Speaker 2: when I would get down, I'd call him and I'd 154 00:09:09,640 --> 00:09:11,400 Speaker 2: go buy and we'd hang out. And he had a 155 00:09:11,440 --> 00:09:14,680 Speaker 2: little apartment in Hollywood there and I would go visit 156 00:09:14,760 --> 00:09:19,360 Speaker 2: him and at some point I said, you know, would 157 00:09:19,360 --> 00:09:22,280 Speaker 2: you come in and play some steel on a song 158 00:09:22,360 --> 00:09:26,000 Speaker 2: that I have. And so that was the Captain and 159 00:09:26,040 --> 00:09:29,240 Speaker 2: me a song called South City Midnight Lady, and he's not, 160 00:09:29,440 --> 00:09:31,880 Speaker 2: of course, and so I came in and played him 161 00:09:32,120 --> 00:09:37,680 Speaker 2: the song, and which you know, further solidified our in 162 00:09:37,720 --> 00:09:41,160 Speaker 2: a relationship. When we would come to town, you know, 163 00:09:41,200 --> 00:09:43,160 Speaker 2: I called him, I say, hey, Jeff, come on down, 164 00:09:43,200 --> 00:09:44,600 Speaker 2: you know you want to come and hang out, you know, 165 00:09:44,920 --> 00:09:46,760 Speaker 2: sit in with us if you want, you know, be 166 00:09:46,920 --> 00:09:49,960 Speaker 2: like jammin on something. So he would sit in and 167 00:09:50,200 --> 00:09:52,760 Speaker 2: play with us from time to time here and there 168 00:09:53,480 --> 00:09:57,360 Speaker 2: when we were in the area. And then it got 169 00:09:57,360 --> 00:10:01,120 Speaker 2: to be like whenever we played anywhere, he would show up. 170 00:10:01,440 --> 00:10:04,800 Speaker 2: Anywhere in California, there was Jeff and he would make 171 00:10:04,840 --> 00:10:07,800 Speaker 2: the trip. You know, he just got we got very 172 00:10:07,800 --> 00:10:12,920 Speaker 2: tight as friends, and so that was it. And then 173 00:10:13,280 --> 00:10:19,640 Speaker 2: later on he left Steely Dan and was kind of 174 00:10:19,679 --> 00:10:23,160 Speaker 2: like hanging around. I think Tyrone, I think the bass 175 00:10:23,160 --> 00:10:25,839 Speaker 2: player said Jeff, you know, why don't you come and 176 00:10:25,880 --> 00:10:30,400 Speaker 2: play with us? And j ty asked Tom and myself, 177 00:10:30,679 --> 00:10:32,000 Speaker 2: you know, what do you think about to having Jeff 178 00:10:33,640 --> 00:10:37,920 Speaker 2: sit in with us and and Hartman as well, And 179 00:10:38,000 --> 00:10:41,400 Speaker 2: at that time we had Michael Hassak playing drums and 180 00:10:41,480 --> 00:10:44,160 Speaker 2: two drummers at that point, but it was mainly you know, 181 00:10:44,360 --> 00:10:46,600 Speaker 2: John and Tom and myself that had you know, founded 182 00:10:46,600 --> 00:10:49,360 Speaker 2: the band, and Tyrone said, you know, what do you 183 00:10:49,360 --> 00:10:51,720 Speaker 2: think about having Jeff playing with us? And everybody said yeah, 184 00:10:52,280 --> 00:10:57,360 Speaker 2: because we have this relationship with the Moby Grape, you know, 185 00:10:58,320 --> 00:11:03,360 Speaker 2: and I mentioned Skip Spence Skip. We always had this vision. 186 00:11:03,720 --> 00:11:07,160 Speaker 2: We loved the three guitars, and they all were just extinct, 187 00:11:07,200 --> 00:11:10,320 Speaker 2: distinct kind of players, you know. Jerry was kind of 188 00:11:10,320 --> 00:11:17,200 Speaker 2: this country sort of the bop player, and Peter Lewis 189 00:11:17,320 --> 00:11:21,840 Speaker 2: was this picker and uh who else the oh and 190 00:11:21,960 --> 00:11:25,400 Speaker 2: Skip was just kind of crazy rock and roller. So 191 00:11:25,440 --> 00:11:27,439 Speaker 2: we kind of had those elements, you know. I was 192 00:11:27,520 --> 00:11:31,280 Speaker 2: kind of a little country, you know, not be bop exactly, 193 00:11:31,320 --> 00:11:33,160 Speaker 2: but I like, you know, played the blues, and Jeff 194 00:11:33,400 --> 00:11:36,600 Speaker 2: was a great kind of be bopper, and then Tommy 195 00:11:36,679 --> 00:11:39,360 Speaker 2: was a hard rocking guy. And so we had all 196 00:11:39,400 --> 00:11:42,400 Speaker 2: the elements that we were looking that we you know, 197 00:11:42,520 --> 00:11:45,640 Speaker 2: sort of projected on ourselves to be that kind of 198 00:11:45,679 --> 00:11:49,040 Speaker 2: a band with the three guitar players. So having Jeff, 199 00:11:49,240 --> 00:11:53,839 Speaker 2: you know, kind of it was a natural progression. So 200 00:11:54,200 --> 00:11:58,040 Speaker 2: Jeff went became a member and was for along quite 201 00:11:58,040 --> 00:12:00,319 Speaker 2: a while, and Ultimate. 202 00:12:00,200 --> 00:12:04,800 Speaker 4: Lee made the recommendation for Michael McDonald to join the band. 203 00:12:04,840 --> 00:12:05,360 Speaker 3: Is that right? 204 00:12:05,880 --> 00:12:10,800 Speaker 2: He did? I had been to see Steely Dan soon 205 00:12:10,880 --> 00:12:14,000 Speaker 2: after Michael joined the band. He was they brought him on. 206 00:12:15,559 --> 00:12:18,920 Speaker 2: They had about three, three or four background singers at 207 00:12:18,920 --> 00:12:23,040 Speaker 2: one point. Royce Jones was the guy. David Palmer had 208 00:12:23,080 --> 00:12:26,040 Speaker 2: been in there at the beginning, and then they had 209 00:12:26,080 --> 00:12:29,080 Speaker 2: a gal that was singing back up, maybe more than one. 210 00:12:30,040 --> 00:12:33,719 Speaker 2: And Mike had been brought into just sing backgrounds and 211 00:12:33,880 --> 00:12:38,679 Speaker 2: play keyboards, and I thought he was fantastic. And then 212 00:12:38,760 --> 00:12:42,560 Speaker 2: Jeff mentioned when Tommy took a leave of absence, just said, well, 213 00:12:42,600 --> 00:12:45,400 Speaker 2: I know, how about Mike McConaughey. Remember that guy. I go, Yeah, 214 00:12:45,640 --> 00:12:47,600 Speaker 2: he's great. He goes, what do you think? I go? 215 00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:51,760 Speaker 2: You should call him? And so Mike joined, and you know, 216 00:12:51,800 --> 00:12:54,319 Speaker 2: we had that we had a new element, which we 217 00:12:54,520 --> 00:12:56,199 Speaker 2: all kind of liked because we had a lot of 218 00:12:56,280 --> 00:13:00,840 Speaker 2: keyboards on our songs in the studio. So you know, 219 00:13:00,960 --> 00:13:04,760 Speaker 2: that was for me a great attraction right there. But 220 00:13:05,200 --> 00:13:07,840 Speaker 2: I didn't really think of anything except Mike. Mike was 221 00:13:07,880 --> 00:13:09,840 Speaker 2: going to be a background singer and I was going 222 00:13:09,920 --> 00:13:14,680 Speaker 2: to end up having to take over the lead vocals slot, 223 00:13:14,840 --> 00:13:18,880 Speaker 2: and pleasantly surprised that Mike was a great singer and 224 00:13:20,200 --> 00:13:23,840 Speaker 2: kind of took the weight off my shoulders. And it 225 00:13:23,920 --> 00:13:26,280 Speaker 2: turned out he was just you know, a super talent. 226 00:13:26,440 --> 00:13:28,960 Speaker 2: So he more than took the weight off my shoulders. 227 00:13:29,760 --> 00:13:33,439 Speaker 2: He took the spotlight, which was fine with me. I 228 00:13:34,480 --> 00:13:37,600 Speaker 2: loved everything you did, and he brought us a wonderful 229 00:13:37,640 --> 00:13:38,760 Speaker 2: element to the band. 230 00:13:40,080 --> 00:13:43,679 Speaker 4: And then taking it to the streets with an incredible 231 00:13:44,240 --> 00:13:48,599 Speaker 4: album nineteen seventy six produced by Ted Templeman. 232 00:13:50,360 --> 00:13:52,280 Speaker 3: How did you encounter Ted? 233 00:13:53,040 --> 00:13:56,520 Speaker 4: And then when you think about the whole process of 234 00:13:56,559 --> 00:13:59,360 Speaker 4: putting together taking it to the streets, what can you 235 00:13:59,360 --> 00:14:01,960 Speaker 4: tell me about that? It was really, you know, such 236 00:14:02,000 --> 00:14:06,000 Speaker 4: an amazing point in the Doobie Brothers career. 237 00:14:06,960 --> 00:14:11,800 Speaker 2: When we actually we hadn't been signed to Warner Brothers yet, 238 00:14:12,720 --> 00:14:15,920 Speaker 2: but they, you know, they were interested in the band, 239 00:14:16,559 --> 00:14:20,800 Speaker 2: and they sent Lenny Warrenker, who was you know, became 240 00:14:20,840 --> 00:14:24,080 Speaker 2: actually the president I think of Warner Brothers at one point. 241 00:14:24,920 --> 00:14:29,680 Speaker 2: And Ted was sort of a new producer there at 242 00:14:29,720 --> 00:14:33,280 Speaker 2: the label, and they he was sort of under Lenny 243 00:14:33,280 --> 00:14:35,480 Speaker 2: had ticket him under his wing and was you know, 244 00:14:35,520 --> 00:14:39,520 Speaker 2: teaching the ropes and so they both came to see 245 00:14:39,600 --> 00:14:42,920 Speaker 2: us play. We played at the Chateau, which was you know, 246 00:14:43,080 --> 00:14:47,280 Speaker 2: at that point we were the house band more or less, so, 247 00:14:47,280 --> 00:14:51,760 Speaker 2: so Ted and Lenny flew up San Jose and came 248 00:14:51,800 --> 00:14:54,200 Speaker 2: to see it that Chateau, and they were these two 249 00:14:54,320 --> 00:14:58,040 Speaker 2: really straight looking guys in the club, and you know, 250 00:14:58,200 --> 00:15:02,360 Speaker 2: it was a frequented by you know, the Hell's Angels. 251 00:15:02,360 --> 00:15:04,840 Speaker 2: There were always a dozen Hells Angels in the club, 252 00:15:05,480 --> 00:15:11,960 Speaker 2: and you know, all the outrageous mountain people, hippies, you know, 253 00:15:12,440 --> 00:15:16,880 Speaker 2: dressed in you know, crazy outfits and just a real 254 00:15:17,000 --> 00:15:21,640 Speaker 2: wild scene, people smoking weed openly in the club or 255 00:15:21,920 --> 00:15:25,560 Speaker 2: outside the door anyway. And so you know, their eyes 256 00:15:25,560 --> 00:15:29,040 Speaker 2: were as big as saucers and club I looked across, 257 00:15:29,080 --> 00:15:32,360 Speaker 2: I knew it was them immediately. They were sitting at 258 00:15:32,440 --> 00:15:36,520 Speaker 2: the stable across the room and Sauce play and they 259 00:15:36,560 --> 00:15:40,480 Speaker 2: love this. And they had already, you know, really liked 260 00:15:40,480 --> 00:15:44,200 Speaker 2: the demo we sent them, but seeing us play solidified 261 00:15:44,240 --> 00:15:47,720 Speaker 2: our commitment or their you know, Warner's commitment to us. 262 00:15:48,360 --> 00:15:53,800 Speaker 2: So they produced our first record together, and then we 263 00:15:53,840 --> 00:15:57,440 Speaker 2: went on to do a second record and Lenny bout 264 00:15:57,480 --> 00:16:00,520 Speaker 2: out and let Ted take over. So Ted all our 265 00:16:00,520 --> 00:16:04,600 Speaker 2: records from then on up through One Step Closer, So 266 00:16:04,640 --> 00:16:08,960 Speaker 2: he did eight or ten records for us. Ted was 267 00:16:09,000 --> 00:16:14,280 Speaker 2: fabulous producer. He just really was really great. The difference 268 00:16:14,280 --> 00:16:17,120 Speaker 2: between our first album and our second album or Day 269 00:16:17,160 --> 00:16:19,720 Speaker 2: and Night. Not that Lenny wasn't a great producer, but 270 00:16:20,120 --> 00:16:23,280 Speaker 2: he had a different vision for kind of who we 271 00:16:23,280 --> 00:16:27,520 Speaker 2: were in our identity, and Ted had a better vision for, 272 00:16:28,200 --> 00:16:32,760 Speaker 2: you know, how to make us more appealing to an audience. 273 00:16:32,880 --> 00:16:38,480 Speaker 2: And so that's that was how we got together with Ted. 274 00:16:39,280 --> 00:16:41,480 Speaker 2: An album before taking to the streets, I think it 275 00:16:41,600 --> 00:16:46,680 Speaker 2: was Stampede had been the album before, and we were 276 00:16:46,760 --> 00:16:49,080 Speaker 2: kind of on a roll every album that we put out. 277 00:16:49,120 --> 00:16:52,080 Speaker 2: You know, we did pretty well at we had some 278 00:16:52,160 --> 00:16:57,680 Speaker 2: successful commercial songs, and you know, the audience was growing 279 00:16:57,720 --> 00:17:00,520 Speaker 2: all the time. And then Tommy was out, and of 280 00:17:00,520 --> 00:17:03,480 Speaker 2: course we were all like, oh no, what are we 281 00:17:03,520 --> 00:17:06,240 Speaker 2: going to do now? And Ted said, well, you know, 282 00:17:07,119 --> 00:17:09,800 Speaker 2: my vision is you're going to have to take over 283 00:17:09,880 --> 00:17:14,399 Speaker 2: the bulk of the writing and the singing, pat and 284 00:17:14,440 --> 00:17:17,560 Speaker 2: we'll see where it goes from there. And when I 285 00:17:17,600 --> 00:17:20,600 Speaker 2: heard Mike sing, I got well, this guy is a 286 00:17:20,760 --> 00:17:25,120 Speaker 2: super talent and I think he can bring something new 287 00:17:25,160 --> 00:17:28,280 Speaker 2: to the band. And it's it was a leap of 288 00:17:28,320 --> 00:17:32,080 Speaker 2: faith on my part and a huge leap of faith 289 00:17:32,520 --> 00:17:37,080 Speaker 2: or Ted and the label, and I basically had to 290 00:17:37,160 --> 00:17:40,159 Speaker 2: talk kind of talk him into it. Ted didn't take 291 00:17:40,240 --> 00:17:43,600 Speaker 2: much talking into things with Ted once he heard Mike 292 00:17:43,720 --> 00:17:49,080 Speaker 2: sing and heard his songs. Ted knows good music when 293 00:17:49,080 --> 00:17:53,159 Speaker 2: he hears it, and a good song, so, you know, 294 00:17:53,840 --> 00:17:55,520 Speaker 2: we just kind of went forward. We knew we had 295 00:17:55,560 --> 00:17:58,879 Speaker 2: to make a change because Tommy was, you know, he 296 00:17:59,080 --> 00:18:01,840 Speaker 2: wasn't feeling well well and he was kind of he 297 00:18:01,880 --> 00:18:05,679 Speaker 2: had lost his passion for the band. He really was 298 00:18:06,480 --> 00:18:11,359 Speaker 2: kind of intent on seeking his own path and wanted 299 00:18:11,400 --> 00:18:14,399 Speaker 2: to try some other things. And I get that. We 300 00:18:14,960 --> 00:18:17,160 Speaker 2: got it at the time, but at the same time, 301 00:18:17,760 --> 00:18:19,879 Speaker 2: we didn't know where we're going to go with things. 302 00:18:20,200 --> 00:18:22,920 Speaker 2: As it turned out, you know, we landed on our feet. 303 00:18:23,119 --> 00:18:28,359 Speaker 2: But fan goodness for Mike, thanks to Ted for seeing 304 00:18:28,440 --> 00:18:33,080 Speaker 2: the potential, and thanks to Warner Brothers for allowing us 305 00:18:33,560 --> 00:18:38,200 Speaker 2: to make the change. They weren't confident of it at all, 306 00:18:38,800 --> 00:18:42,960 Speaker 2: and in fact, the head of promotions had approached me 307 00:18:43,680 --> 00:18:46,000 Speaker 2: prior to that record coming out and sort of read 308 00:18:46,080 --> 00:18:48,480 Speaker 2: me the riot act and what did I think I 309 00:18:48,600 --> 00:18:52,000 Speaker 2: was doing? You know, who did I think I was? 310 00:18:52,440 --> 00:18:54,439 Speaker 2: And I tried to explain to him that you know, 311 00:18:54,480 --> 00:18:59,560 Speaker 2: this wasn't something that that I was hoping for or 312 00:19:00,160 --> 00:19:04,520 Speaker 2: trying to promote. It was just what we were left 313 00:19:04,560 --> 00:19:07,920 Speaker 2: with and we were making the best of it. Luckily, 314 00:19:07,960 --> 00:19:11,359 Speaker 2: that guy got shown the door, not because of anything 315 00:19:11,400 --> 00:19:14,440 Speaker 2: I said, but I think he probably opened his mouth 316 00:19:14,760 --> 00:19:18,200 Speaker 2: too many times to say the similar thing to other 317 00:19:18,280 --> 00:19:23,199 Speaker 2: people about their endeavors, and so they let him go. 318 00:19:23,359 --> 00:19:26,440 Speaker 2: We had a new guy that again saw our potential 319 00:19:26,560 --> 00:19:30,760 Speaker 2: and got behind it. So, I mean it was pretty 320 00:19:30,800 --> 00:19:34,000 Speaker 2: much where we thought we were going to be treading water. 321 00:19:34,160 --> 00:19:39,560 Speaker 2: We were, they were strong, So was up from there 322 00:19:39,600 --> 00:19:41,560 Speaker 2: and we're lucky to say the. 323 00:19:41,560 --> 00:19:47,320 Speaker 3: Least, and sale and strong. Patrick Simmons into twenty twenty. 324 00:19:47,040 --> 00:19:53,840 Speaker 4: Five with a new album and tell me about that project, 325 00:19:53,920 --> 00:19:56,640 Speaker 4: how you're feeling about it, and then ultimately you guys 326 00:19:56,640 --> 00:19:59,320 Speaker 4: will be hitting the road and going out to your 327 00:19:59,520 --> 00:20:00,440 Speaker 4: loyal fan in base. 328 00:20:01,320 --> 00:20:05,840 Speaker 2: The road is our is our master. The albums walked 329 00:20:05,920 --> 00:20:10,119 Speaker 2: this Road and that was a song that Mike wrote 330 00:20:10,119 --> 00:20:15,080 Speaker 2: with John Shanks, kind of a gospel inspired tune if 331 00:20:15,080 --> 00:20:20,280 Speaker 2: you will, pretty rockin gospel blues kind of thing, and 332 00:20:20,320 --> 00:20:23,520 Speaker 2: we all sang, we all played. It was really, you know, 333 00:20:24,000 --> 00:20:27,800 Speaker 2: a great moment for us because really Tom and Mike 334 00:20:27,840 --> 00:20:31,719 Speaker 2: and myself, we haven't put this much into a record 335 00:20:33,080 --> 00:20:37,160 Speaker 2: as the three of us as writers like ever, so 336 00:20:37,240 --> 00:20:40,280 Speaker 2: this is you know, like having a new direction, if 337 00:20:40,320 --> 00:20:44,720 Speaker 2: you will. We worked a little bit on taking it 338 00:20:44,800 --> 00:20:47,720 Speaker 2: to the streets, but Tom didn't really contribute much that 339 00:20:47,760 --> 00:20:51,119 Speaker 2: in the way of writing and a minimal amount of 340 00:20:51,160 --> 00:20:56,520 Speaker 2: playing this record. Everybody contributed and there's a lot more 341 00:20:56,680 --> 00:21:00,160 Speaker 2: going on in terms of contribution from three of us. 342 00:21:00,400 --> 00:21:04,400 Speaker 2: And then John McPhee is as usual playing his butt off. 343 00:21:05,119 --> 00:21:10,399 Speaker 2: But yeah, it's just a great moment for the band. 344 00:21:12,000 --> 00:21:17,480 Speaker 2: Everybody contributed songs, work closely with the producer to make 345 00:21:17,520 --> 00:21:21,760 Speaker 2: it happen. We work with each other, you know, very 346 00:21:21,800 --> 00:21:28,000 Speaker 2: supportive process that we had, and you know, it's nice 347 00:21:28,040 --> 00:21:31,800 Speaker 2: to have new music to play for the audiences, you know, 348 00:21:31,840 --> 00:21:35,560 Speaker 2: I think that's probably it's always something at least for us, 349 00:21:36,080 --> 00:21:39,480 Speaker 2: and I've got to thickets common for most most bands. 350 00:21:40,040 --> 00:21:43,120 Speaker 2: You like, you'll love to have something new to play 351 00:21:43,160 --> 00:21:46,199 Speaker 2: for folks. Whether it's going to be something they're going 352 00:21:46,240 --> 00:21:49,879 Speaker 2: to attach themselves to or not, it's still you know, 353 00:21:49,920 --> 00:21:54,679 Speaker 2: you're attached to it and it's meaningful and there's a 354 00:21:54,720 --> 00:21:59,600 Speaker 2: lot more passion if you will, in those moments when 355 00:21:59,640 --> 00:22:03,280 Speaker 2: you have the opportunity to play some new songs for 356 00:22:03,400 --> 00:22:06,000 Speaker 2: people and you know, see how it goes and see 357 00:22:06,160 --> 00:22:08,840 Speaker 2: how people respond to that. We have been doing Walk 358 00:22:08,920 --> 00:22:12,560 Speaker 2: This Road and it didn't get great response. And in 359 00:22:12,560 --> 00:22:17,479 Speaker 2: my opinion, it's it's a it's a great song and 360 00:22:17,359 --> 00:22:19,959 Speaker 2: and I love it we have. By the way, Mayvis 361 00:22:20,000 --> 00:22:23,400 Speaker 2: Staples sings on the track too, I think she'd knock 362 00:22:23,480 --> 00:22:27,960 Speaker 2: my songs up. See I oop, I have no sock 363 00:22:28,080 --> 00:22:33,040 Speaker 2: sign and I love that. 364 00:22:33,280 --> 00:22:35,400 Speaker 3: So that's outstanding. 365 00:22:35,440 --> 00:22:41,320 Speaker 2: You know, Mavis is so fantastic. But anyway, as I 366 00:22:41,359 --> 00:22:43,920 Speaker 2: started to say, it's a great song, but I don't 367 00:22:43,960 --> 00:22:48,280 Speaker 2: think it isn't the best live track that we have. 368 00:22:48,400 --> 00:22:51,960 Speaker 2: We got some great, great songs that I think are 369 00:22:52,000 --> 00:22:55,119 Speaker 2: going to translate in a live setting that they're going 370 00:22:55,200 --> 00:22:58,240 Speaker 2: to be really great for us. So you know, again, 371 00:22:58,280 --> 00:23:01,040 Speaker 2: it's always it's always fun to have new music. And 372 00:23:01,160 --> 00:23:05,040 Speaker 2: I think our core audience appreciates that. The average person, 373 00:23:05,040 --> 00:23:06,959 Speaker 2: they just play us the hits. You know, I just 374 00:23:06,960 --> 00:23:08,760 Speaker 2: want to hear that. I just want to live go 375 00:23:08,840 --> 00:23:12,440 Speaker 2: down memory Lane, and we get that and we'd love that, 376 00:23:12,640 --> 00:23:15,520 Speaker 2: you know, the opportunity we have as well, But like 377 00:23:15,600 --> 00:23:17,960 Speaker 2: I say, the moments are probably the most fun. Or 378 00:23:18,040 --> 00:23:21,200 Speaker 2: when you get placed some new music and your a 379 00:23:21,200 --> 00:23:23,520 Speaker 2: little off balance when you're doing that. I think that's 380 00:23:23,560 --> 00:23:28,200 Speaker 2: important as a musician to have to be a little 381 00:23:28,240 --> 00:23:31,600 Speaker 2: bit unsure about where things are going and they try 382 00:23:31,600 --> 00:23:34,240 Speaker 2: that much harder, you know though, I think that's important. 383 00:23:35,160 --> 00:23:35,520 Speaker 3: Oh. 384 00:23:35,600 --> 00:23:38,760 Speaker 4: Patrick Simmons, I'm so grateful that you came on Taking 385 00:23:38,760 --> 00:23:43,160 Speaker 4: a Walk. It's a real thrill and I'm so appreciative 386 00:23:43,200 --> 00:23:46,719 Speaker 4: for the music you and the band continue. 387 00:23:46,200 --> 00:23:46,880 Speaker 3: To give us. 388 00:23:47,040 --> 00:23:51,240 Speaker 4: It's the soundtrack of our life and it continues to 389 00:23:51,400 --> 00:23:54,000 Speaker 4: just lift us up and make us feel good. I'm 390 00:23:54,040 --> 00:23:57,120 Speaker 4: really grateful you took the time to be on, Patrick. 391 00:23:57,560 --> 00:24:01,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, so nice of you. Buzz and walk this road. 392 00:24:01,200 --> 00:24:04,160 Speaker 2: We're walking walking that road with you right now. 393 00:24:04,800 --> 00:24:07,000 Speaker 3: Perfect. Thank you, Patrick, I appreciate you. 394 00:24:07,400 --> 00:24:08,160 Speaker 2: Thank you. Bus. 395 00:24:09,520 --> 00:24:11,960 Speaker 1: Thanks for listening to this episode of the Taking a 396 00:24:12,000 --> 00:24:15,920 Speaker 1: Walk podcast. Share this and other episodes with your friends 397 00:24:16,000 --> 00:24:19,480 Speaker 1: and follow us so you never miss an episode. Taking 398 00:24:19,520 --> 00:24:23,440 Speaker 1: a Walk is available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, 399 00:24:23,640 --> 00:24:25,920 Speaker 1: and wherever you get your podcasts.