' What's Love Got to Do with It' by Tina Turner (1984).' Rosanna' by Toto ( David Hungate, Bobby Kimball, Steve Lukather, David Paich, Jeff Porcaro & Steve Porcaro) (1982).' Bette Davis Eyes' by Kim Carnes (1981).' What a Fool Believes' by The Doobie Brothers ( Jeffrey Baxter, John Hartman, Keith Knudsen, Michael McDonald, Tiran Porter & Patrick Simmons) (1979).' Just the Way You Are' by Billy Joel (1978).' Hotel California' by Eagles ( Don Felder, Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Randy Meisner & Joe Walsh) (1977).' This Masquerade' by George Benson (1976).' Love Will Keep Us Together' by Captain & Tennille ( Daryl Dragon & Toni Tennille) (1975).' I Honestly Love You' by Olivia Newton-John (1974).' Killing Me Softly with His Song' by Roberta Flack (1973).' The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' by Roberta Flack (1972).' Bridge over Troubled Water' by Simon & Garfunkel ( Art Garfunkel & Paul Simon) (1970).' Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In' by The 5th Dimension ( Billy Davis Jr., Florence LaRue, Marilyn McCoo, Lamonte McLemore & Ron Townson) (1969).Robinson' by Simon & Garfunkel ( Art Garfunkel & Paul Simon) (1968) ' Up, Up and Away' by The 5th Dimension ( Billy Davis Jr., Florence LaRue, Marilyn McCoo, Lamonte McLemore & Ron Townson) (1967).' Strangers in the Night' by Frank Sinatra (1966).' A Taste of Honey' by Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass (1965).' The Girl from Ipanema' by Astrud Gilberto & Stan Getz (1964).' Days of Wine and Roses' by Henry Mancini (1963).' I Left My Heart in San Francisco' by Tony Bennett (1962).' Theme from A Summer Place' by Percy Faith (1960).' Mack the Knife' by Bobby Darin (1959).' Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)' by Domenico Modugno (1958).Live at the Greek Theater 1982 (2011) (guest appearance on one song).Livin' on the Fault Line (1977) (US #10).Takin' It to the Streets (1976) (US #8).What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits (1974) (US #4).Often pictured with a Alembic or Gibson basses during the seventies (usually with a Thunderbird or Ripper bass and earlier with an EB-0L), Porter played Fender instruments, most notably the Fender Jazz Bass, along with BC Rich Eagles and Rickenbackers. More recently, even performing the old repertoire with the Doobies, Porter has been playing new, custom-made instruments almost exclusively finger style. The hit title track from Takin' It to the Streets, which prominently features Porter's thundering, picked notes, is a prime example of this technique. His early technique, with rich chordal attack, was based mostly on his picking style, favoring the guitar pick over fingerstyle playing. Porter's most notable contributions to the Doobie Brothers' sound were his busy and punchy bass lines his distinctive tone permeates all of the band's classic compositions and hits. In 2020, Porter was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Doobie Brothers. More recently, Porter played bass with singer-songwriter Keith Greeninger from Santa Cruz, California, Beatles tribute band White Album Ensemble, Stormin' Norman and the Cyclones, and Moby Grape during its occasional reunions. The album features jazz solos and little or no bass guitar, focusing instead on lead guitar and sequenced keyboards. It is a mix of rock, progressive, and jazz spotlighting Porter on all of the instruments and vocals. Porter released a self-produced solo album, Playing to an Empty House, in 1995.

He was reportedly still frustrated with constant touring and the band's preference for recording familiar sounding material instead of his own, more diverse compositions. After five years of touring in support of Cycles and Brotherhood, Porter finally quit the Doobies for good in 1992. Neither album featured a Porter composition or lead vocal, and his bass is often buried in the mix. Porter played on Cycles (1989), whose title was taken from an unused song he wrote, and Brotherhood (1991). After guesting onstage with his former bandmates briefly during the 1982 farewell tour, he rejoined the Doobies in 1987. His replacement was session man Willie Weeks, later famous for his collaboration with Michael Jackson and other Quincy Jones protégés. Porter left the Doobies in 1980, citing frustration with the hectic and constant touring schedule. In concert, Porter usually performed lead vocals on one or two songs. His vocals were mostly restricted to the background in the studio, although he wrote and sang 'For Someone Special' (a tribute to ill bandleader Tom Johnston) on the album Takin' It To The Streets (1976) and the creatively syncopated 'Need A Lady' on the album Livin' On The Fault Line (1977).

He rose to fame as a member of the Doobie Brothers, replacing bassist Dave Shogren on their second album Toulouse Street in 1972.

Gibson thunderbird bass players