Credit: Clay Patrick McBrideAfter being eligible for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame since 1997, The Doobie Brothers finally will receive the honor this year. In the wake of today’s big news, several of the band’s members have issued statements sharing their excitement about getting acknowledged by the Rock Hall.
“I can’t imagine a better start to our 50th year than by being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame,” says founding frontman Tom Johnston. “Earning the recognition of our peers is a great honor that I don’t take lightly, but it’s our fans who kept us believing that we could get in. This is a stellar moment for The Doobie Brothers.”
Founding singer/guitarist Pat Simmons is he’s similarly “thrilled” about the group’s induction.
“It is such an honor to even be considered among the many deserving nominees, let alone selected,” he says. “My gratitude goes out to our amazing Doobie fans for their generous support, as well as those with the Hall of Fame who have been kind enough to acknowledge our musical efforts.”
Longtime singer/keyboardist Michael McDonald, who’s rejoining The Doobies for their upcoming 50th anniversary tour, adds, “It’s been one of the great honors of my life to share the stage with all these guys over the years. To see the band receive this honor is wonderful to say the least.”
The other Doobie Brothers members, present and past, who will be inducted with the band this year are longtime multi-instrumentalist John McFee, as well as bassist Tiran Porter, guitarist Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, and drummers John Hartman, Michael Hossack and Keith Knudsen. Hossack and Knudsen passed away, respectively, in 2012 and 2005.
The 2020 Rock Hall ceremony takes place May 2 at Cleveland’s Public Auditorium, and will air live on HBO.
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