Blimp Time-Hop: 1978 Doobie Brothers Show At The Civic Center

42 years ago, The Doobie Brothers came to the Civic Center just before their massive success Minute By Minute. August 23, 1978 was the date of their first Maine show.

It was a not surprisingly a sold-out night in Portland on the Livin’ on the Fault Line tour.

This was the Patrick Simmons/Michael McDonald led line-up which also featured Jeff “Skunk” Baxter on guitar. The new Doobies tunes spinning on WBLM in the summer of ’78 were Little Darlin’ (I Need You) and Echoes of Love.

They of course included songs from the Tom Johnston era like China Grove and Long Train Runnin’ on this tour as well. Tom left the band in 1977 after being side-lined by health issues and growing creative conflicts.

Michael McDonald was recruited to be the lead vocalist during this time by “Skunk”, who worked with him in Steely Dan. It is so very cool that Blimpsters got to see this version of the Doobies back then with the blue-eyed soul of Michael McDonald. This was their one and only Portland appearance ever.

Now, "take this message to my brother, you will find him everywhere."

Make sure you watch the whole thing so you don't miss the outrageously great piano solo from Michael.

The Doobie Brothers returned to Maine as a Patrick Simmons/Tom Johnston led outfit in on July 12, 1991 at Seashore Performing Arts Center in Old Orchard Beach also known as the 'Ballpark' This was in support of their album Brotherhood.

The Doobies last played here in the summer of 2016 in Bangor with Journey.

Need more Michael McDonald and the Doobies?

Watch this fantastic new version of Dave Mason's Traffic classic, Feelin' Alright that they recorded remotely/together this summer.

It is led by Dave and also features Sammy Hagar and Mick Fleetwood. This is the supergroup of 2020 right here, for sure.