"We want to put out the best, high-powered show we can put out," says Dorr. "We understand if you don't entertain the audience, they're not coming back again. So we want them entertained from the second the show starts to the second the show ends."

Part of achieving that is playing the songs audiences want to hear.

"Our regular fans want to hear the hits. The song they got married to, that they were at Vietnam to, that they graduated high school or college to. That's what they want to hear."

Though it doesn't mean there isn't room for a few new songs in the repertoire.

"We want the hits to sound like the hits when the audience heard them, but we're going to add some new things in there, other songs that we like to do ourselves," Dorr says.

Though there won't be anything too obscure.

"They'll be familiar to the audience," says Dorr. "We come from the point of view that we all understand that when you go and see you favourite band and they say, 'Ok, now we're going to play our new music', you want to go to the bathroom, or you want to go and get something to eat. Bands know that. We all know that's what the audience thinks."

Along with hearing And When I Die and Spinning Wheel at some point in the proceedings, another certainty at a Blood, Sweat and Tears gig is quality musicianship. With more than 150 players passing through its doors since its first line-up back in 1967, this is a band that prides itself on high standards.

"I think what the audiences are going to really enjoy is the energy coming off the stage with some of the greatest musicians in the world," Dorr says.

"You have to be a great, great player to get in this band. Every day we probably get 30 or 40 emails from people that want to join the band. So we're fortunate that we can really pick the cream of the crop, because this is a band that is known for great musicianship."

It's something confirmed by feedback from fans.

"We get emails about how this is the best version of Blood, Sweat and Tears that has been out there so far. And that's counting the '70s. We have people that have seen the band since '71, '72, up to today, that have seen the band 30 or 40 times. And they say this is the best version," says Dorr.

"What's amazing is we haven't had a hit since 1972 and we play the same venues over and over and over and the audiences love it, because they know that the next time they come to see us the show is going to be a little different. You'll always hear the hits, but we're going to keep adding new music that is familiar music to them."

Another vital component to the band's successful musical formula is the inclusion of 2005 American Idol runner-up Bo Bice. Beaten to the winner's podium by international superstar Carrie Underwood, Bice is "just spectacular," says Dorr. "Bo has to sell music to the people. He has to sell the emotion to the audience. And I think that's why they come back."

Blood, Sweat and Tears

Where: Canberra Theatre.

When: 7.30pm, September 2.

Tickets: Adult $92.20, cons $82.70, child $64.70. canberratheatrecentre.com.au