The Doobie Brothers

St. James Encyclopedia of Pop Culture by Dave Goldweber

The Doobie Brothers, or "Doobies," are a California-based rock band, formed in 1970, whose most popular singles stand among the definitive songs in 1970s rock and roll. Their hits "Listen to the Music," "Long Train Running," "China Grove," and "Takin' It to the Streets" all possess the trademark upbeat, easygoing, Doobie Brothers sound, influenced by R&B and soul. Their two number one hits, "Black Water" (1975) and "What a Fool Believes" (1979) have become soft-rock classics. Not quite as original or as influential as the Eagles, the Allman Brothers, or Steely Dan, the Doobie Brothers must yet be counted among the best of the American light rock and country rock groups of the 1970s. Successful on stage as well as over the airwaves, they continued to tour after the peak of their popularity had passed, and still released occasional albums throughout the 1980s and 1990s.