Just discovered this site! What an enjoyable trip down the musical memory lane. Thanks, D. Buck
3/26/10
Wow, what a great "blast from the past" to hear "Lost Between Two Worlds"! Saw Tony here in Columbia TN last summer and Dirk will always be a brother to me!
Peggy J. 2/13/10
Love this web site! B. Free turned me on to it and now I can't wait to log in on Friday morning!
M. Small 11/06/09
Congratulations for all for work! I love the music of Dione Warwick ... A hug. Later. Felipe C. 10/21/09
Just found out about your web-site, it's wonderful! I'll be watching for my friday e-mails, thanks Freddy Seagraves (The Jesters Band) 9/22/09
Just found this website - WOW!! AJ 8/08/09
Great song! "Wildflower" Brings back a flood of memories!! Thanks for all the time you put into this fun site!
7/23/09
I remember listening to Skylark on a Mini Radio walking to Burney Harris Middle School from Normal Town
8th grade !!! R.Free 7/17/09
"Three Dog Night was my first "rock" concert at the Coliseum at UGA when I was in 7th grade! I wonder if the lead singer can still fit into that tight white fringed jacket?" L.N. 7/3/09
First date with my wife, Three Dog Night, Omni in Atlanta, July 29, 1973....seems like yesterday.
Thanks Larry! C.A. 7/3/09
Hey Larry. Love Robert Palmer and I Loooove that smooth sound. How about some Lionel Richie.
Thanks. Mom. 6/26/09
Randy and Tina Raburn turned me
on to this (Robert Palmer) and I
love it. Out in Oregon.
Thanks. V.T. 6/26/09
LOVE the stories behind the performers and their songs.
Robbie 5/24/09
Ain"t heard that one "Brother Louie" in a while. hoss858 5/24/09
You (Dirk and Tony) are one of my fondest memories of UGA!!!!! My best friend and I STILL sing, "Silly Little Girl" when we are on road trips together! Deb Mc. 6/23/09
Larry, thanks for turning me on to this album (Yesterday & Today - The Beatles) way back in 19XX! It's remained one of my favorite Beatles albums of all time.
Dennis M. 6/19/09
Thanks for the lyrics to Louie Louie. I've always thought that they were the Kingsmen's lyrics recorded under the influence of Jack Daniel. Now we know it was rum. A great tune. I've never heard anybody say that they didn't like it. rjenkins 5/29/09
Love the site! Sheree 5/8/09
Have never seen a female lead singer play the guitar like that--Go Larry,thanks for your efforts to entertain your classmates! tbirdamf 5/8/09
OMG, I didn't recognize this one (39-21-40 Shape) till it started playing! Love it.
Dale 4/19/09
Larry, I just had to get up and move with (Shake A Tail Feather) that one! Keep it up!
Jeff 4/3/09
That really was a blast from the past! The last time I saw Dirk and Tony perform was at Jon Tuck’s graduation party in the mid seventies. What a party! Love the photo. And we all thought we looked so cute back then – foolish folks! Thanks for the memory. Leslie P. 3/20/09
I have the songs on my Ipod now in the car...............cruisin' in the afternoon just got better!
L.D. 3/20/09
Great site!! I really appreciate Dirk and Tony spotlight.They've entertained multitudes when they worked together and still are today on their own.
R. Jenkins 3/20/09
Thank you, thank you, Larry! I always enjoy the music you select but this (Dirk and Tony) is the best yet!! Talk about memories!
Melody P. 3/20/09
"Oh yeah - played this many times today. I sent it on to a few folks who are not on the list. The pictures almost made me sad - too much time has flown by. Loved hearing the song again. So glad you were able to get it on there. I think I played it 3 times at least." Betsy K. 3/20/09
Dirk, Looking GOOD my brutha!! I love the earlier pics of you and Tony. I hope to get to Athens again one of these days, soon, and hear you sing. You are a treasure! Bobby D.
3/20/09
Awesome!! Debbie G. 3/20/09
Loved hearing this song again!!! When will y'all be playing together again? Gilbert M. 3/20/09
Good morning & Happy first day of Spring!!!! What a great way to start my morning, Dirk and Tony!
Patti W. 3/20/09
You did a wonderful job on this week!!!! Dirk and Tony takes ya back a long way to some good times!!!
Thanks, Rhonda T. 3/20/09
Tina R. shared this and it was great fun. Thanks from Oregon. 03/13/09
Great to see you bashing the drums in the group video that your mum sent, we spotted her dancing. Also enjoyed the music played by the group. Uncle Jack & Aunt Carole in the U.K. 02/19/09
Thanks bsh69r, I missed that. Two heads or more are better than one.
02/17/09 friday@fridayinathens.com
Correction: The song that's played here was done by Scott McKenzie and is called "San Francisco". The MP3 is mistitled. Aside from that, I love your site...absolutely a great site and will keep revisiting it. :-) bsh69r 02/16/09
Really enjoying the site. Love the featured act (The Zombies) and their music. Great work you do.
A service. Barry H. 02/06/09
This ("Ain't That Peculiar") used to be the song back then! Heidi R. 01/29/09
One of my all time favorite groups "The Intruders", doing one of their best! I play this one on my home system at least once a week. Your buddy, Dirk H. 12/05/08
You’ve created something wonderful with your Friday website. Something positive to look forward to each week. Can’t wait to see what’s on the plate for this week. Leslie P. 11/17/08
Thanks for the wonderful music I enjoy it... Great site Connie 9/11/08
Larry, Live for "Fridays"....I even get up and put on my tornado red shoes and tap along to the songs!!!
A.P. 7/11/2008
Growing up as an "old school" listener, I love this kind of music. Thanks so much for putting real music on so we all can hear what it was like back then. This music is NOT DEAD, it's still alive; and people like "us", the listeners keep it alive!
Babedoll 7/9/2008
This "Private Number" was always a great song. Too bad they did not have more hits. I loved this song. Harper 7/9/2008
Don and Juan were one of the great Doo-Wop singing Duo's out there. Love 'em! "All That's Missing Is You" is one of their rarest records! Northern Soul! Brian Y. 7/2/2008
Larry; What would Friday's be without you and Friday is Always coming in Athens? Jimmy J 6/30/2008
Thank you for this site, I'm french and
I have 40 years. I am a collector of
vinyl and American music oldies, soul,
funk. Il are very few in my french
cas.Je this site is fantastic because I
found some artist American and that
I discovered the other, bravo and
keep this site. 5/20/2008
Hey! I haven't heard this song since I was visiting LLC in the summer of 1972. I was crazy about her... wow! Thanks for sharing this song with the public! MSH 5/19/2008
The words to this song (Expressway to Your Heart) are quite interesting. Larry keep the tunes coming.
TC jJ 5/19/2008
First timer for me. I love your terrific format and exciting info. I feel like I'm back in Athens. ES 5/14/2008
IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS----THIS IS THE BEST!!!! Unknown 5/9/2008
I love it. I am learning about all of these singers and I'm only
16 years old. Unknown 5/8/2008
Hey you,
I LOVE that song by the Casinos
this week. I think it's
one of the prettiest "pop" songs ever
written and a great slow dance song.
:) I keep getting a flash back of a
girl/boy party in 6th or 7th grade.
I remember slow dancing with
someone - maybe Kevin. I can
almost see the room (someone's
basement/ rumpus room) and I
know the guy had on a sweater but I
can't quite see the
face. I'll keep you posted. Anyway -
thanks for playing it for me.
Take care. B. - 4/25/2008
Larry - Thanks so much for Otis!
Can you find "Then You Can Say
Goodbye" by The Casino's? Thanks!
Betsy 4/18/2008
Thanks for sharing the one hit wonder.
I'm surprised this only made it to #7
as its played quite often as an oldie.
Keep the sounds coming.
JJ 4/13/2008
Lovin the tunes, Larry.See ya in June. Randy R. 3/21/2008
Mr. Larry; Thanks for all you do for us little people.
Sincerely JJ 3/7/2008
Thanks Larry! Nothing like a Dirty Old Woman! Betsy
3/3/2008
This is very cool.My kind of music. Thanks. George S.
2/29/2008
Larry, Does anyone remember the days at Legion Field with POCO & Pure Prairie League and the music park behind the pool and all the good times concerts concerts?
Bill M. 2/29/2008
Mr. Green sure does have a smooth voice. I'm surprised he didn't do even better. JJ 2/18/2008
Hey Larry - Ever heard of "Dirty Old Woman" by Denise La Salle? You make my Fridays. Betsy
2/15/2008
Enjoyed Joe Cocker. Thanks folks. - Jim 2/8/2008
This is a great song. Larry keep the tunes coming.
TC YF JJ 2/8/2008
A WONDERFUL site- Thanks for keeping GOOD MUSIC- Alive. - Big Doc-Bdge, GA 2/8/2008
Greetings to all at FIA!
I've been longing to hear "The Bus' by
the late, great Billy Preston. Any
chance you got that in your vaults?
Here's to a soulful 2008!
Carlos - Cleveland, OH 1/29/2008
Hey Larry, I just read about Miles and Jimi being friends. How about some Hendrix soon.
Love the website, Joy 1/18/2008
Great to get the Twelve Days of Christmas.
Thanks, Pat M. 12/28/07
A great way to enjoy the history of music and the beautiful sounds of the blues. Robert B. 12/7/2007
Enjoyed your special on the Rolling Stones. I would like to see more on Blues Artist old and young. Keep it Groovin. Robert B. 11/28/2007
Larry, Johnny Guitar Watson really brings back some wasted brain cells! Wore out the grooves in that album the year it came out. Thanks David L. 11/9/07
Watson is the man!!! Your Bro. Young Robert! 11/9/07
OMG, This song (Humble Pie - Thirty Days In The Hole) so reminds me of you Larry and 1972! LOL Andrie - 10/5/07
I love this website, I have to listen to this each and every day. Thank you very much. I will share this with all my
co-workers and friends. Nate 9/30/07
Love this site! I call it "Continuing Music Education"! I know the songs, but I didn't know all the stories behind the people who performed them. Andrie - 9/23/07
Can you dig up Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel by Tavares? Thanks! D. - Cleveland OH 8/17/07
The site is wonderful Larry and the music is just awesome!!! I love visiting It's Friday In Athens!!!! Please keep this going forever!!!! - Dierdra L. - President/CEO, Getan Records, THE LIGHTHOUSE GOSPELETTES!!! Athens, GA 7/29/07
It's Friday? How about "Don't Roll Your Bloodshot Eyes at Me" for a little local flavor? Mark B. 7/27/07
Consider the Manhattans on Friday’s! Frank P. 7/27/07
Larry!!!! You MADE my day with "Build Me Up"! I'm on vacation in Santa Barbara and sent it to my co-workers with the threat that I can now play it anytime I want! Psych! Hello Don M in the bay area and to Betsy! Everyone raves about your site, Larry! It's awesome! Gratefully yours, Scotty 7/20/07
Hey Larry, Before the summer's over we need something from the summer of love for its 40th anniversary. It's for us in the bay area. Don M. 7/13/07
Hey Larry The music is just great.Would also like to hear'The Horse' by Cliff Nobles. Thanks. Double Divine 7/6/07
Hey Larry, Remember those instrumentals that played before the top of the hour on AM Radio? How about "The Horse" by Cliff Nobles or "Soul Finger".
Thanks! Betsy K. 6/30/07
Larry, If I ever need a D.J. Guess what,You The Man!!! Thanx: Corndog 6/22/07
Yes! it's Friday and I'm up here jammin' in Cleveland, OH. How about some Soul Generation - Body & Soul (That's the Way It's Got to Be) Ya'll remember that one? Have a great weekend! losplus 6/22/07
How about Earth, Wind and Fire? Angie G. 6/6/07
Hooray for Friday!! Mary A. 6/1/07
This group (The Four Tops) is great. Thanks VM Jimmy J. - 5/25/07
Thanks for a Friday of Dusty Springfield, The Look of Love. Erica from Red Lobster, thanks for the look. - F.L. 4/5/07
I love this site! Any chance I could hear "Coldest Days Of My Life" by the Chi-Lites? - 4/4/07
I would love to hear "Unchained Melody" by the Righteous
Brothers or "Fats" Domino's
"Ain't That a Shame" or
"Blueberry Hill." Thanks,
Patrick - 3/30/07
Hey Larry! You are amazing! I have my whole office dancing to these! Just great! Can you do a BeeGees for my boss and slip in Build Me Up Buttercup? I sing it anyway at work, may as well have the music to go along with it (the more to torture my co-workers with! Looking forward to all the Fridays-with-Larry! :) Scotty - 3/30/07
Oh, my goodness, you found "Black Pearl." I nearly fainted this am, when I opened the site. Thank you sooooo much. Blessings P.W. Smith - 3/30/07
Please add "Black Pearl" by The Checkmates...not sure what year, but thinking mid 60's. Thanks sooooooo much.
P. Smith - 3/23/07
This is a great website. My mom always listened to the "Oldies" station here, and I wanted to be just like my Mom, so I started listening to it and I loved it, and this website has some of my favorites. M. Pierce - 3/22/07
Hey, I love the t-shirt. I have had it on
since I got home from Arizona. You
did a good job. That was a great
song last Friday (Wang Dang Doodle)
- didn't know it but who ever
requested it is someone I
would like to hang with. And then
today we had
The Zombies....that took me back to
8th grade and one of my first boy/girl
parties. They were always held in
someone's basement and the lights
would go off by 9:00.
That song always seem to bring on
lots of smooching. I will
not be naming names.... ;)
Thanks again,
Betsy
This is awesome!!! Thanks for the great site and fabulous music!! WooHoo!! Jen B. - 2/18/07
I could not have picked a better artist. Thanks, Pat M.
Thank you Larry - You have made my day! Betsy K.
Mr. Larry, I really enjoyed Roy Head-Hey Hey. YF
Jim J. - 2/5/07
This always gets my Friday off to a great start! Love it!
Debbie - 1/26/07
Every once in a while my mornings are worth rising for, this has been one of them with Tina Turner.
Thanks Bill S. - 1/19/07
Keep up the good work. JJ - 1/19/07
Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year 2007! I remember at this time in 1969 we were really gettng into Abbey Road! But oh, how I love the sweet soul music of the 60's and 70's as well. Thanks for your work in keeping this music alive. And keep on sending it, Brother! Dennis M. - 12/29/06
Moonchild Diva in Motown - found the site by looking for Billy Stewart! I think you answered my question...who played bass on Billy's recordings? SO THANK YOU for clearing up the mystery! - 12/11/06
Billy Stewart , alright, one of my favorites. Also, Jerry Butler, Major Lance, Willy Tee....
Your friend, Dirk H.
Thanks for Billy Stewart Larry - You have made
my day! Betsy K. - 12/8/07
I look forward to Friday's email. This is great.
Linda L. - 12/8/07
Wow! From your personal E-Mail account. I forward "Its Friday in Athens!!!" on to my friends often. The folks here at work are trying to figure me out. Their 56 year old C.E.O. sits in his office every Friday morning booming out R&B. Though it works for me, its not the type of behavior they expect from someone in my position. BLUES BANKER!
T. Turgeon -
Thanks for Joe T. Luv'd it! Roy Head and the Traits?
Hope you had a good Turkey Day.
T. Turgeon - 11/27/07
I keep waiting for Jackie Wilson and Billy Stewart....I have
decided that like me, you have an
older brother or sister who had you
listening to this music as a kid.
Hope all is well your way.
Betsy K. - 11/25/06
How about a little Joe Tex? T. Turgeon
Thanks, "I LOVE IT! Makes my day! M.N. - 9/29/06
WOW WOW WOW AN OUTSTANDING REVIEW OF THE real STYLE OF MUSIC - Atlanta Cooking - 9/23/06
In my time, this is the most fascinating music I have ever heard. **86 - 8/17/06
Keep up the great and extremely important work. We met I believe at Michael Guthrie's house a few weeks ago at the HVARII Reunion. I am a great lover of our R&B and it's great to see someone who truly cares about it. Ole!
T. Turgeon - 8/2/06
Again, the "It's Friday" series is great - I love it every week and have sent it on to so many folks -
thanks again. Betsy K.
Aretha is my personal favorite so far! Peggy M.
LOVE THIS...I NEED SOMETHNG TO GET ME THROUGH THE DAY !!!! C. Lady - 6/3/07
Great! Perfect! Dance Music I Love It!!! Laine L.
I think you missed your calling as a DJ! Nicki S.
Keep 'em coming!! I really enjoy listening to "my kind of music". Thank you. Mary M.
I like getting your email every Friday, keep it coming!
Carlas A.
DON'T FORGET THE 'QUEEN OF SOUL'........ ARETHA!!!!! YOUR MAKING MY FRIDAYS. RONK
MY FRIENDS REALLY LIKE FRIDAY IN ATHENS! ONE IS SENDING EVERYONE AT THE COURTHOUSE AN EMAIL. Ron H.
THANKS SO MUCH EACH WEEK! Nancy W.
This makes me smile! Ray C.
Great job, keep up the good work. Terry T.
I SAVE UNTIL FRI AFTERNOON, BY 5:00 P.M. I'M REVVVVED!!! RONK - 5/19/06
Thanks for this humanitarian service to get us crunk for district wide planning. Wilson Pickett reminds us to put a “spotlight on Otis Redding y’all”. Yeah,yeah, oh yeah. Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-Faaa! Karl S.
Thanks. What a pleasant surprise to get to work and open this e-mail- glad I started with yours first. Melanie B.
Thanks for the Friday emails Larry!! I really enjoy them.
Kim S.
Thanks for the sound of good music. I really do love my oldies but goodies. E. Luke - 5/19/06
Thanks!!! This is great! Jane B.
Great site! How about some Sam Cooke??? - 5/19/06
Thanks for the music! Steve P.
I love this! Thanks. Dianne M.
I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your Friday emails. Thanks for including me! Betsy K.
I appreciate the link – good stuff!
Jon W.
I LIKE IT!!!!!! Thanks and HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!! Barbara S.
THIS IS GREAT!!!!!! Susan R.
So in your spare time you try to cheer up everyone? Thanks, Lori R.
I love these songs. Thanks. Terri S.
Awesome……Thanks for doing this, we all look forward to it every week. I’ve sent it to everyone I know!
Debi D.
I needed this today! Thanks. Susan S.
Good selection for this fabulous
Friday!!!!!
Thanks for the Music this morning. I think I could listen to this all day, if people didn't think I was crazy for MOVING in my chair. Have a great weekend. Joyce G.
The Doobie Brothers is an American rock band. They have sold over 30 million albums in the United States from the 1970s to the present. The Doobie Brothers were inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004.
Drummer John Hartman arrived in California in 1969 determined to meet Skip Spence of Moby Grape and join an aborted Grape reunion. Spence introduced Hartman to singer, guitarist and songwriter Tom Johnston and the two proceeded to form the nucleus of what would
become The
Doobie Brothers.
Johnston and Hartman called their fledgling group "Pud," and experimented with lineups (occasionally including Spence) and styles as they performed in and around San Jose. They were mostly a power trio (along with bassist Greg Murphy) but briefly worked with a horn section. In 1970 they teamed up with bass player Dave Shogren and singer, guitarist and songwriter Patrick Simmons. Simmons, who had belonged to several area groups (among them "Scratch", an acoustic trio with future Doobies bassist Tiran Porter) and also performed as a solo artist, was already an accomplished fingerstyle player whose approach to the instrument complemented Johnston's rhythmic R&B strumming. In a recent interview, Johnston attributed the band's eventual name to friend and housemate Keith "Dyno" Rosen, who noted the guys' fondness for "doobies" (slang for marijuana cigarettes). They considered the new moniker an improvement over Pud.
The Doobie Brothers improved their playing by performing live all over Northern California in 1970. They attracted a particularly strong following among local chapters of the Hells Angels and got a recurring gig at one of the bikers' favorite venues, the Chateau Liberte' in the Santa Cruz Mountains. An energetic set of demos (eight of which were briefly and illegally released on Pickwick Records in 1980 under the title Introducing the Doobie Brothers, and have since been bootlegged on CD under that title and On Our Way Up as well, both with expanded song selections), showcased fuzz-toned dual lead electric guitars, three-part harmonies and Hartman's frenetic drumming and earned the rock group a contract at Warner Bros. Records.
At this point in their history, the band's image reflected that of their biggest fans - leather jackets and motorcycles. However, the group's 1971 self-titled debut album departed significantly from that image and their live sound of the period. The album, which failed to chart, emphasized acoustic guitars and frequently reflected country influences. The bouncy lead-off song "Nobody," the band's first single, has surfaced in their live set several times over the ensuing decades.
The following year's second album, Toulouse Street (which spawned the hits and classic rock staples, "Listen to the Music" and "Jesus Is Just Alright"), brought the band their breakthrough success. In collaboration with manager Bruce Cohn, producer Ted Templeman and engineer Donn Landee, the band put forward a more polished and eclectic set of songs. They also made a change to the line-up, supplementing Hartman's drumming with that of Navy veteran Michael Hossack while still touring behind their first album (a concert from June 14, 1971 at Fillmore West bears this out as it has this short-lived lineup). Also, the band recorded several songs on the second album with Shogren on bass, guitar & background vocals. But during the album's recording, Shogren left after disagreements with producer Templeman. Shogren was replaced with singer, songwriter and bass guitarist Tiran Porter. Porter and Hossack were both stalwarts of the northern California music scene, Porter having previously played in Scratch with Simmons. Porter brought a funkier bass style to the band and added his husky baritone to the voices of Johnston and Simmons, resulting in a rich three part harmonic vocal blend. Pianist Bill Payne of Little Feat contributed keyboards for the first time, beginning a decades-long collaboration that included many recording sessions and even a two-week stint touring with the band in 1974. With an improved rhythm section and the songwriting of Johnston and Simmons, the Doobies' trademark sound - an amalgam of R&B, country, bluegrass, hard rock, roadhouse boogie, and rock and roll - emerged fully formed.
A string of hits followed, including Johnston's "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove," from the 1973 album The Captain and Me. Other noteworthy songs on the album were Simmons' country-ish ode "South City Midnight Lady" and the explosive, hard rocking raveup, "Without You," for which the entire band received songwriting credit. Onstage, the latter song would sometimes stretch into a 15-minute jam with additional lyrics ad-libbed by Johnston. A 1973 appearance on the debut episode of Don Kirshner's Rock Concert featured one such epic performance of the tune.
In the midst of recording sessions for their next album, 1974's What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits, Hossack abruptly departed the band citing burnout from constant touring. Drummer, songwriter and vocalist Keith Knudsen (who previously drummed for Lee Michaels of "Do You Know What I Mean" fame) was recruited promptly and left with the Doobies on a major tour within days of joining in September 1973. (Hossack subsequently replaced Knudsen in the band Bonaroo, which served as an opening act for the Doobies shortly thereafter.) Both Hossack's drums and Knudsen's voice are heard on Vices.
In 1974 Steely Dan co-lead guitarist Jeff "Skunk" Baxter learned that his band was retiring from the road and that Donald Fagen and Walter Becker intended to work almost exclusively with session players in the future. In need of a steady gig, he segued into the Doobie Brothers as third lead guitarist in the middle of their current tour. He had previously worked with the band in the studio, adding pedal steel guitar to both Captain ("South City Midnight Lady") and Vices ("Black Water," "Tell Me What You Want") and had already been playing with the band as a "special guest" during that year's tour.
Vices included the band's first #1 single: Simmons' signature tune "Black Water," which featured the memorable refrain, "I'd like to hear some funky Dixieland, pretty mama come and take me by the hand"; climbed to the top of the charts in March 1975; and eventually propelled the album to multi-platinum status. Johnston's lyrical "Another Park, Another Sunday" (as a single, it featured "Black Water" as the B-side) and his horn-driven funk song "Eyes of Silver" had also charted at #32 & #52, respectively, the previous year.
During this period and for several subsequent tours, the Doobies were often supported on-stage by Stax Records legends The Memphis Horns. Live recordings with the horn section have aired on radio on the King Biscuit Flower Hour, though none has been officially released. They also appeared as session players on multiple Doobies albums.
By the end of 1974, Johnston's health was suffering from the rigors of the road. He was absent when the band joined the Beach Boys, Chicago and Olivia Newton-John on "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" that December. By then, the western-themed Stampede had been completed for release in 1975. It featured yet another hit single, Johnston's cover of the Holland-Dozier-Holland-written Motown hit "Take Me in Your Arms" (originally sung by Kim Weston and also covered by Blood Sweat and Tears). The song included a distinctive Baxter guitar solo. Simmons contributed the atmospheric "I Cheat the Hangman," as well as "Neal's Fandango," an ode to Santa Cruz, Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady. Ry Cooder added his slinky slide guitar to Johnston's cowboy song, "Rainy Day Crossroad Blues".
By the start of the Spring 1975 promotional tour for Stampede, Johnston's condition was so precarious that he required emergency hospitalization for a bleeding ulcer. With Johnston convalescing and the tour already underway, Baxter proposed recruiting a fellow Steely Dan alum to fill the hole: singer, songwriter and keyboardist Michael McDonald. Simmons, Knudsen, Porter and McDonald divvied up and sang Johnston's parts on tour while Simmons and Baxter shared lead guitar chores.