THE DOOBIE BROTHERS.

Description

May 1976 Japanese concert tour program 

Large original concert program lavishly produced for American rock group The Doobie Brothers’ May 1976 Japanese tour, presented Udo Artists, Inc. The 6-date tour commenced at the Welfare Pension Hall in Osaka on 11th January and ended with two consecutive shows at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo on 16th & 17th January, 1976. The tour was a historic milestone for the band, marking both their first-ever visit to Japan and the critical turning point that saved them from breaking up. Original frontman Tom Johnston was forced to step back due to severe stomach ulcers. To fill in, the band brought along the relatively unknown session keyboardist and former Steely Dan backing singer, Michael McDonald. Because their landmark album Takin’ It to the Streets would not be released until March 1976, Japanese fans attended the shows expecting their signature guitar-heavy, biker-rock sound. Instead, they were greeted by McDonald’s soulful, R&B-infused keyboards and lead vocals, which left many audiences stunned and confused. The culture shock, combined with the jarring shift in their musical identity, took a heavy toll on the band’s morale during the trek. The frustration peaked to the point where the band actually broke up in Japan during the final week of the tour. Immediately after the final Tokyo show, the band members Keith Knudsen and Tiran Porter fled to Hawaii to escape the stress. However, just days later, guitarist Patrick Simmons called them with unexpected news: the title track “Takin’ It to the Streets” had been sent to radio stations back home and was instantly skyrocketing up the charts. Realizing they had a massive hit on their hands, they immediately rescinded the breakup and flew back to the States to inaugurate their most commercially successful era.

In original illustrated dull-coated wrappers, staple bound, 25.8 x 36.3 cm, 48 pp. All text in Japanese. In excellent complete condition, tightly bound and clean.