From left, John McFee, Tom Johnston, Keith Knudsen, Patrick Simmons and Michael Hossack of the Doobie Brothers, circa 2000.
Michael Hossack, one of the two drummers for the Doobie Brothers on their biggest 1970s hits, died Monday at his home in Dubois, Wyoming. He was 65 and had been suffering from cancer.
He and John Hartman formed the two-drum rhythm section on songs like "Listen to the Music," "Long Train Running" and "Black Water."
He played with the Doobies from 1971 to 1975, when he decided to quit the road. When the band reformed in 1987 for a series of concerts to benefit Vietnam veterans, he returned and stayed with them until 2010, when his health forced him to step down.
Born in Paterson, N.J., Hossack started drumming with a Boy Scout drum and bugle corps.
He joined the Navy out of high school and served four years in Vietnam. He was planning a career in law enforcement after his discharge when a friend talked him into auditioning for a band called Mourning Reign.
That band soon disbanded, but it gave Hossack an introduction to the Doobies, who heard him with Hartman and decided to go with two drummers.
He stayed active in music during his hiatus from the band and also remained an active outdoorsman, hunting, fishing and riding his Harley.
He is survived by his son Mike Jr., his daughter Erica and his brother Eric.
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