Chet McCracken

McCracken was born Chester Eugene McCracken on September 20, 1946, in Tacoma, Washington. His professional career began in 1969 as a member of the band Evergreen Blueshoes. They released one album. He was then a member of the psychadelic trio Help, releasing two albums. He toured with singer/songwriter Danny O'Keefe in 1972 and Rare Earth in 1975.^[2] As a session musician, he recorded with America, Snail, Hank Williams Jr., Helen Reddy, Amy Holland, Eikichi Yazawa, Stevie Nicks, Rita Coolidge, Joe Walsh, Tina Turner, Pat Boone, and many others.^[3]

In 1979, McCracken joined the Doobie Brothers replacing original drummer John Hartman.^[4] He remained in the band until their first hiatus in 1982. In the following years, he performed with the band in 1987 for their brief 12-city reunion tour benefiting the Vietnam Veterans Aid Foundation, organized by former Doobie Brothers bandmate Keith Knudsen.^[5] He also filled in for drummer Michael Hossack after he suffered an injury in July 1993. Additionally, he joined the Doobie Brothers on their 1995 "Dreams Come True" tour, co-headlining with the Steve Miller Band.^{[citation needed]}

In 1999, McCracken was part of a Doobie Brothers tribute band with fellow former members Cornelius Bumpus and Dave Shogren. This tribute band included Billy Martin (keyboards/vocals), Allen Carman (bass/vocals) and Todd Plant (lead vocals). Chris Pinnick (former guitarist of Chicago) was also added at a later date. The Doobie Brothers obtained an injunction preventing this band from performing under any variation of the "Doobie Brothers" name.^[6]

McCracken died on February 11, 2022, in West Hills, California.^[7]

• Flight to Moscow – 1990
• Partners – 1991 (featuring Chris Pinnick)
• After the Rain – 1994
• Tequila – 1996 (featuring Sam Riney)