The Doobies and Coral Reefers Play Star Lake; Heinz Hall Has Wilco (Wed., 8/6/25)

1) The Doobie Brothers are a big time rock band that rose out of San Jose, California and charted many hits in the 1970s and early 1980s. The initial outfit was fronted by lead vocalist and guitarist Tom Johnston. He led the band  from 1970 until leaving in 1975. During that period the Doobies had top hits like “China Grove,” “Black Water,” and “Listen to the Music.” In 1976 Michael McDonald signed on as lead vocalist and the band’s sound took a new course. That version of the band scored hits with “Takin it to the Streets,” “What a Fool Believes,” and “Minute By Minute.” Kenny Loggins even has a co-writing credit on “What a Fool Believes.” Johnston then returned to the band in 1987 and has remained with them ever since. Michael McDonald is now back in the fold too. The Doobies had a big hit in 1989 with “The Doctor.” Walk This Road is the group’s latest album and was released in June. Now they are touring in support of the album along with special guests. The Coral Reefer Band, as many of you well know, was Jimmy Buffett’s band up until his death in 2023. Although still missing Buffett, the band is very talented and still loves to play. Several members of the group are lead vocalists for various songs. 7 p.m. The Pavilion at Star Lake, 665 Rt. 18, Burgettstown. (R.H.)

2) After Jay Farrar left Uncle Tupelo, the remaining members formed Wilco in 1994. The indie-rock band began with an alt-country sound that gradually became more experimental, as on 2001’s seminal Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and its followup, 2004’s A Ghost Is Born. The latter won the Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album in 2005. Jeff Tweedy is the group’s frontman. He published Let’s Go (So We Can Get Back): A Memoir of Recording and Discording with Wilco, Etc. in 2018. Warm, his first solo album of all original material, was released later that month. Wilco, meanwhile, released Cousins, their 13th album, this year. If you missed Tweedy or Wilco when either played past Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festivals, catch Wilco at Heinz Hall. 8 p.m. 600 Penn Ave., Cultural District. (C.M., R.H.)

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