Long Train Runnin'

Our Story of the Doobie Brothers

By: Pat Simmons, Tom Johnston, Chris Epting - contributor

Narrated by: Chris Henry Coffey, Graham Winton, T. Ryder Smith, Leon Nixon

For the first time, the incredible true story of the legendary band, The Doobie Brothers, written by the founding members.

Only a very few rock bands that have had the longevity, success, and drama of The Doobie Brothers. Born out of late 1960s NoCal, they stood alongside their contemporaries The Grateful Dead, The Allman Brothers, and many others as an iconic American rock band. The train was rolling along, hits were flowing like wine, and arenas were packed with fans who wanted to see them live...then Tom Johnston, the band’s front man and lead guitarist, almost died.

The Doobies' train came to a screeching halt. All of a sudden the band started contemplating the end of the road only seven years into their career, just as things were taking off.

This was actually far from the end. A soul-steeped backup singer for Steely Dan named Michael McDonald took a shot at singing some of the Doobies' songs on tour, and all of a sudden a new chapter in the Doobie Brothers' story began. The band changed their sound and had numerous number-one hits with their new front man. Tom recovered from his health issues, but the band had moved on. When it came time for a reunion concert in the ’80s, Tom got the call and was back in the mix. They’ve been touring ever since and maintain a massive fan base the world over.

Never before have they shared their story, in their own words. In Long Train Runnin’ they’ll change that.

©2021 Pat Simmons, Tom Johnston (P)2021 Recorded Books

Excellent book!

Loved this book and the narrators were wonderful!! Would recommend!’ Great listening!! Thank you so much!!

Best Read ever!

I had to take a trip from California to Florida by car and I thought I download this book since I’ve been a long time Doobie Brothers fan. Not only did I listen to it once but I listen to it twice! I’ve been friends with Girleeeee for over 25 years I never knew the story behind Pat and the band which is even more intriguing. Now I have one day left and all I’m going to do is listen to all the different albums from Pat, Tomee, Michael, and the band. I have so much respect for them after learning about their journey I highly recommend it!

Lifelong Doobie Fan!

LOVED this book! Although I would haved liked the authors to do the reading, this narration team was excellent and I thoroughly enjoyed their reading on this journey through the history of this legendary band!

Amazing!

At 60, Doobie Brothers have been the soundtrack to most of my life. Pat's so right about each song bringing back a memory or emotion from the past. Every iteration of the band is special and it's great to hear the back stories from so many band members.

I usually prefer hearing books like this narrated by the individuals themselves but the narrators they chose made me forget it was a voice actor which turned out great.

Love these guys even more! They're playing tonight north of Houston tonight. I found out too late to get air conditioned seats or I would've loved to have seen them.

Rock on, guys!

Doobies

loved it. very eye opening history of the band. I can't wait to see them next week!

Quite enlightening

Great recollections narrated by Real Doobies, Pat, Tom and Chris. It does a good job of telling from original lineup, through the Michael McDonald version

Great Book for Doobie Brothers Fans

I recommend this book, “Long Train Runnin’ Our Story of the Doobie Brothers” for Doobie Brothers fans, even if the fans are not die hard fans.

The Doobie Brothers wrote this book together. Different people read for the different authors (who are mainly the Doobie Brothers).

I liked the Doobie Brothers hits and I have listened to them since I was a kid. I only purchased their Greatest Hits album and their newest album, “Liberte’,” which is pretty good!) I saw them in concert last summer and they are still fantastic performers!

In this book, I enjoyed hearing about the Doobie Brothers and how and why the personnel came and went. The book answered many questions on Michael McDonald. He is really a nice guy and fit seamlessly into the Doobie Brothers after the lead singer got sick.

Overall comments?
A fun book. Probably for Doobie Brother fans—at least casual fans.
Very good quick listen. The narrators do a fantastic job.

Would you consider the audio edition to be better than the print version?
Yes. Very much so! Different people read for the different members.

Any problems with the audiobook? Minor issue.
Pictures would have made this book better! I had to go on-line to see which person was which.
If there were photos in the book, then the publisher should have included them in a PDF with the pictures. However, I haven’t researched if there were pictures.

Needs music

Seemed like a list of personnel, songs and dates. Clips of music would have helped. Narrator for Johnston couldn’t pronounce Visalia or Tulare. We enhanced the experience by looking up the music as we went along.

Nice summary of life in rock.

I was a Doobies fan early (like first album early). I’d also worked in radio and loved getting new albums a little early. With this book, I enjoyed getting the back story to a lot I’d heard about, but didn’t know the details.

Fun!

Great to hear some behind-the-scenes stories of this fantastic group of musicians. What a wild ride!