By the time "The Sun, Moon, and Herbs" was released, he had gained a notable cult following, which included artists such as Eric Clapton and Mick Jagger, who both took part in the sessions for that album. This album served as a transition from his Night Tripper voodoo, psychedelic persona to one more closely associated with traditional New Orleans R&B and funk. His next album, "Dr. John's Gumbo", with drummer Fred Staehle serving as the band's backbone, proved to be a landmark recording and is one of his most popular to this day.