The Doobie Brothers — featuring Michael McDonald — kick off their 2022 dates tonight (May 13th) with the first show of an eight-night Las Vegas residency at the Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood.

Just published in celebration of the band’s 50th anniversary is the career-spanning memoir Long Train Runnin’ – Our Story, written by Doobies co-founders Tom Johnston and Pat Simmons with Chris Epting.

We caught up with guitarist Pat Simmons and asked him if the 50th anniversary shows with Michael McDonald have been as satisfying for him as they’ve been for the fans: “It’s been, just kinda what I hoped it would be. Of course, havin’ that kind of catalogue, being able to play all the songs that we recorded through the years that have been more memorable. We’re better players and, y’know, we can deliver the songs in a more meaningful way at this point in our lives, I think for a number of reasons. Y’know, we’re a lot of years with your instrument and performing the songs — and understanding the lyrics (laughs). When we first recorded the songs, I mean, we were virtually learning the songs in the studio. Y’know, I like to know what a song is about and, y’know, it just helps you be more real in your behavior while you’re (laughs) up there performing.”