The Doobie Brothers‘ anticipated reunion tour with singer Michael McDonald has been paused after a handful of dates due to a positive COVID-19 test in their touring entourage. The band announced on Wednesday (Sept. 1) that the next four dates on their outing have been postponed after a “member of the touring personnel has tested positive with COVID-19.”
The postponement affects upcoming scheduled gigs in Clarkson, Mich. (Sept. 2); Burgettstown, Pa. (Sept. 4); Toledo, Ohio (Sept. 5); and Cincinnati (Sept. 8), with the band saying all four will be rescheduled, with new dates to be announced soon.
To celebrate 50 years since the band’s formation, founding members Tom Johnston, Michael McDonald, Pat Simmons and John McFee announced a reworked 2021 North American tour after the original reunion outing scheduled for summer 2020 was pushed back due to the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, the tour kicked off on Aug. 22 with a gig at the Iowa State Fair, and lasted through five more dates before McDonald was unable to join them on Tuesday night at the Minnesota State Fair.
According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, opening act Dirty Dozen Brass Band also canceled, though the fair did not give any details on the change in lineup. The paper reported that two songs into Tuesday night’s show, Doobie’s co-founder singer-guitarist Simmons told the audience that McDonald wasn’t feeling well.
“He’s recuperating and isolating. We hope to have him back in a week or so,” Simmons reportedly said. “He’s had his vaccine. But the show must go on.” Singer-guitarist Tom Johnston told the paper last week that the band is traveling with a COVID compliance officer, and that all band members and crew are vaccinated.
Assuming the pause only lasts four shows, the band is slated to next hit the stage on Sept. 9 at the Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. The announcement from the Doobies came a day after another veteran act, Kiss, was forced to postpone upcoming tour dates after both original members singer-bassist Gene Simmons and singer-guitarist Paul Stanley, tested positive for COVID.
See The Doobie Brothers’ announcement below:
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