Despite the heat, hundreds of music lovers are “takin’ it to the beach” in Seaside Heights, NJ this Thursday, July 28, 2023 evening for a concert by The Doobie Others. Hailing from Long Island, The Doobie Others are a tribute band that recreates the music of The Doobie Brothers in addition to tunes from such “other” ’70s groups as Steely Dan and the Eagles.
NJ101.5 FM radio DJ Big Joe Henry welcomes the crowd to tonight’s show on the beach.
Announcing, “I’m so glad you came out to my favorite summer home — Seaside Heights!” Henry exclaims, “You need an outstanding band to perform outstanding music, and this band is great. Welcome The Doobie Others!”
The Doobie Others’ musicians — Ron Lovisa on guitar, Mike Quadrino on sax and keyboards, Allan Korenstein on keyboard, Ed Profet on bass, Jim Del on lead vocals and drums, Joe Torres on lead vocals and percussion, and Pat Montefusco on lead vocals and guitar — open tonight’s show with The Doobies’ 1973 Top 20 hit, “China Grove.”
Audience members tap their feet in the sand and sing along on the “Well, you’re talking’ ‘bout China Grove/Oh, China Grove” chorus of this rhythmic rocker.
Segueing immediately into “Jesus is Just Alright,” the sun begins to set in the west as seagulls soar and the sky turns to shades of pinks and grays while the breaking surf adds to the rhythm of the music.
Joe Torres handles the lead on the 1979 Grammy-winning tune, “Minute by Minute.”
Beachgoers sing along on the “Minute by minute by minute by minute/I keep holding on” chorus, after which the band addresses the crowd noting, “We have beaches on Long Island, but nothing like this!”
Mike Quadrino is featured on sax on the Holland/Dozier/Holland-penned Doobies’ classic, “Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While).” Then, the band slows things down for the lesser known Doobies’ track, “Another Park, Another Sunday,” which features a Ron Lovisa guitar solo and smooth back-up vocals that envelope Pat Montefusco’s top-notch lead vocal.
Audience members sing along with Torres on The Doobie Brothers’ 1980 Grammy-winning Song of the Year and Record of the Year, “What a Fool Believes.” Montefusco announces, “This next song is for all the crazy drivers out there,” before he and the band shift into the Doobies’ 1972 runaway hit, “Rockin’ Down the Highway.”
There’s a relaxed vibe on the beach as concertgoers enjoy the ocean breeze which accompanies Jim Del’s lead on “South City Midnight Lady.” The arrangement features vocal harmonies by bassist Ed Profet and a jazzy keyboard solo by Allan Korenstein.
Taking a departure from The Doobie Brothers’ catalog, The Doobie Others perform the 1977 Sandford-Townsend Band hit, “Smoke from a Distant Fire,” before Del leaves his drum kit and takes a seat at the edge of the stage to sing The Doobies’ 1975 #1 single, “Black Water.” The audience joins in on the “Old black water, keep on rollin’/Mississippi moon, won’t you keep on shinin’ on me” chorus before Del switches up the lyric to “Seaside Heights, won’t you keep on shining on me” to avid audience applause.
A half moon appears in the evening sky as the band continues with “Listen to the Doctor,” “Real Love,” and “Dangerous,” and Ron Lovisa is featured on guitar on Steely Dan’s 1972 hit, “Reelin’ in the Years.”
Mist rolls in off the ocean as colored lights shine behind the band on The Doobie Brothers’ “Without You” where audience members move to the groove on the “I get a feelin’, lost without you baby” lyric and Del impresses with a series of power drum rolls.
Launching into The Doobies’ 1973 recording, “Long Train Runnin’,” Pat Montefusco soulfully sings, “Down around the corner/Half a mile from here/You see them long trains runnin’/And you watch them disappear,” before the rest of the musicians— and the audience — join in on the well-known “Without love/Where would you be now” refrain.
Music lovers stand and dance to the rhythm of the congas before Jim Del is left alone on stage for a drum solo. Announcing, “I need your help!” he gets beachgoers clapping and stamping their feet in the sand on Queen’s “We Will Rock You” prior to soloing again. Once all the musicians return, the entire band circles back into “Long Train Runnin’.”
Wrapping up their set with The Doobies’ 1976 hit, “Takin’ It to the Streets,” The Doobie Others play a series of encore numbers including The Eagles’ “Life in the Fast Lane” and The Doobie Brothers’ 1972 smash, “Listen to the Music,” as the sun sets over the beach in Seaside Heights.
To learn more about The Doobie Others, please go to thedoobieotherstributeband.com. For info on upcoming tribute concerts on the beach in Seaside Heights — including Classic Stones on August 10; a Heart tribute by Kick it Out on August 17; and the Steely Dan tribute band, Reelin’ in the Years, on August 24 — please click on exit82.com.
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