"Farewell Tour" marks the first live album by the American rock band The Doobie Brothers, released in 1983. Capturing the essence of their 1982 Farewell Tour, the double album set documents a significant period for the band.
By the early 1980s, The Doobie Brothers had transitioned from their guitar-boogie sound under original frontman Tom Johnston to a soulful, keyboard-driven AOR sound led by Michael McDonald. Despite numerous lineup changes, Patrick Simmons remained a constant from the original incarnation.
In 1982, Simmons announced his retirement from the band after years of relentless touring and recording. As a farewell gesture to their loyal fanbase, the band embarked on a final tour during the summer of 1982, aptly named the "Farewell Tour."
The album cover depicts drummer Keith Knudsen symbolically cutting the strings on John McFee's guitar. The last two tracks were recorded at the tour's final concert in Berkeley, California, featuring vocals by original lead vocalist and guitarist Tom Johnston.
Initially released on CD only in Japan, "Farewell Tour" was eventually re-released on CD by Rhino/WEA in 2008. However, the reissue omitted approximately 11⁄2 minutes of onstage banter from Patrick Simmons, including a reference to "lighting up a 'doobie'" during intermission, a nod to the band's name.
