The Doobie Brothers

Though they're famous as one of the most beloved soft rock bands from the '70s and '80s, the Doobie Brothers' image early on was surprisingly tough. After coming together in the early '70s in San Jose, California, the band became extremely popular amongst the Hell's Angels, and played regularly at biker hangouts like the Chateau Liberté in the Santa Cruz mountains. The members of the group styled themselves in black leather to fit in with their fan base, but by the time they signed to Warner Bros. Records, they had left their motorcycle boots behind, opting for a softer look and a sound oriented around acoustic guitars and country flourishes for their 1971 self-titled debut. Their second album, Toulouse Street, continued this sound, spawning the hit single "Listen to the Music." Likewise, 1973's The Captain and Me featured hit songs like "China Grove" and "Long Train Runnin'." They would take a distinct turn towards a more R&B oriented sound after bringing singer/keyboardist Michael McDonald on board for 1976's Takin' it to the Streets. Henceforth known as a blue eyed soul group, the Doobie Brothers would add synthesizers to the mix for records like 1977's Livin' on the Fault Line. The group would undergo many lineup changes over the years, but it wasn't until Patrick Simmons left the band in 1981 that no original members of the group were left. The band disbanded at that point, but after they reunited in 1987 for a successful reunion tour, the band remained together, touring and releasing new albums such as 1989's Cycles and 2000's Sibling Rivalry.