Doobie Brothers drummer Michael Hossach dies at 65

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The Doobie Brothers, circa 1982. Left to right: Michael Hossack, Patrick Simmons, John Hartman, Tom Johnston.

The Doobie Brothers' longtime drummer has died. Michael Hossack, who his bandmates called Big Mike, helped the group crank out some of its greatest hits.

Hossack joined the Doobies in 1971, but left just a few years later, coming back only when the group reunited in 1987.

Hossack served in the Vietnam War and was on his way to becoming a police officer when a friend suggested he audition for the California band "Mourning Reign." The gig led to an invitation to join the Doobie Brothers in 1971

Doobies co-founder Tom Johnston has since called Hossack an incredible musician. Hossack died Monday at his home in Wyoming.

He’d been struggling with cancer for two years.