Patrick Simmons - guitars, vocals
John McFee - guitars, vocals
Tiran Porter - bass, guitar, vocals
Michael McDonald - keyboards, synthesizers, vocals
Keith Knudsen - drums, percussion, vocals
Chet McCracken - drums, percussion
Cornelius Bumpus - saxophone, flute, keyboards, vocals
Guests:
Nicollette Larson - vocals
Rosemary Butler - vocals
Ted Templeman - percussion, vocals
Graham Nash - vocals
Relatively few established rock bands have ever gone on to achieve far greater success and longevity following major personnel changes. The Doobie Brothers are one of those notable exceptions. After seven albums and nearly a decade on the road, not to mention significant personnel changes, 1978 would find The Doobies hitting bigger than ever with their Minute By Minute album.
Placing a bigger emphasis on Michael McDonald, Minute By Minute would achieve stratospheric success, sailing to the top of the charts and gaining numerous Grammy Award nominations and taking home two, including Song of the Year for "What a Fool Believes."
The following year, The Doobie Brothers (along with Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, Carly Simon, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Tom Petty and Jackson Browne) co-headlined the now legendary No Nukes Benefit at New York City's Madison Square Garden. Presented here is The Doobies set from that evening, uncut and in its entirety.
Performing songs from throughout the first decade of the group's career and joined by several special guests, this is a prime example of the Michael McDonald fronted configuration of the band at the top of their game. Vintage hits like "Long Train Runnin'," "China Grove" and "Takin' It To The Streets" are well represented right alongside newer McDonald material like "Depending On You" and "What A Fool Believes."
This remarkable set also showcases the late great Nicollette Larson, who contributed vocals to the Minute By Minute album sessions. Larson is best heard on "Sweet Feelin'" and with The Doobies serving as her backing band on Neil Young's "A Lotta Love." Another highlight is the set-closing "Power," a song written by John Hall where the group is joined by Larson, Rosemary Butler and Graham Nash.
