Michael McDonald (musician) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Michael McDonald
McDonald performing live in 2019
Background information
Born	(1952-02-12) February 12, 1952 (age 73) St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Genres	Blue-eyed soul R&B pop rock yacht rock soft rock
Occupation(s)	Musician singer songwriter record producer
Instruments	Vocals keyboards
Years active	1973–present
Labels	Warner Bros. Reprise Ramp Universal Motown

Michael H. McDonald (born February 12, 1952) is an American singer, songwriter, and keyboard player. He is famous for his unique, soulful voice. Michael McDonald was a backing singer for the band Steely Dan from 1973 to 1980. He also became the lead singer for the Doobie Brothers at different times, from 1975 to 1982, in 1987, and again from 2019 until now.

McDonald wrote and sang many hit songs with the Doobie Brothers. These include "What a Fool Believes", "Minute by Minute", and "Takin' It to the Streets". He also sang backup for many other artists. Some of these artists are Toto, Christopher Cross, and Kenny Loggins.

Michael McDonald has released nine solo albums. His 1982 hit song "I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)" is very well known. He has worked with many other musicians, like James Ingram, Aretha Franklin, and Joni Mitchell. McDonald has also recorded music for TV shows and movies. He has won five Grammy Awards. In 2020, he joined the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Doobie Brothers.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Michael McDonald was born on February 12, 1952. He grew up in Ferguson, Missouri, near St. Louis. He went to McCluer High School. During high school, he played in local bands. Some of these bands were Mike and the Majestics and the Guild.

In 1970, he was playing with a band called Blue. A music producer from RCA Records, Rick Jarrard, discovered him. Rick offered him a record deal and brought him to Los Angeles.

Michael McDonald's Music Career

Joining Steely Dan

In 1973, Michael McDonald joined Steely Dan's touring band. He sang lead and backup vocals for them. He once said he got the job because he could sing all the high parts. He became a studio musician for the band. He provided backup vocals on their albums like Katy Lied (1975) and Aja (1977). He also played keyboards on some of their songs.

McDonald continued to sing backup for Steely Dan's 1980 album, Gaucho. In 2006, he joined Steely Dan again for their summer tour. He performed as the opening act and as part of the band.

Success with The Doobie Brothers

McDonald (right, crouching) with the Doobie Brothers, 1976

In April 1975, the Doobie Brothers asked Michael McDonald to join them. Their lead singer, Tom Johnston, was sick during a tour. McDonald was a temporary replacement at first. But his work with the band was so good that they asked him to stay. He became a full-time member.

As a Doobie Brother, McDonald sang lead on many famous songs. These include "Real Love", "Takin' It to the Streets", and "It Keeps You Runnin'" He also sang on "Minute by Minute" and "What a Fool Believes". "What a Fool Believes" became a number-one hit in the U.S. It also won him a Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 1980. He wrote this song with Kenny Loggins.

During this time, McDonald also worked as a session singer and keyboardist. He played for artists like Christopher Cross, Bonnie Raitt, and the band Toto. He co-wrote "You Belong to Me" with Carly Simon. This song appeared on the Doobie Brothers' album Livin' on the Fault Line (1977).

McDonald has rejoined the Doobie Brothers many times since 1982. In 2010, he sang on their song "Don't Say Goodbye". In 2014, he reunited with the band to record a new album. It featured their greatest hits. This album, Southbound, was released on November 4, 2014. On it, McDonald sang with other artists like Sara Evans.

On November 5, 2014, McDonald and the Doobie Brothers performed at the Country Music Association Awards. They celebrated the release of Southbound. They sang "Listen to the Music" with Hunter Hayes and Jennifer Nettles. They also performed "Takin' It to the Streets" with host Brad Paisley.

Michael McDonald's Solo Music

After the Doobie Brothers' first farewell tour, McDonald started his solo career. His first solo album, If That's What It Takes, came out in 1982. It included the hit song "I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)". He also released "I Gotta Try", which he co-wrote with Kenny Loggins.

He kept working with other artists. McDonald co-wrote Van Halen's hit "I'll Wait" from their album 1984. His duet with James Ingram, "Yah Mo B There", won a Grammy Award in 1984. In 1985, he released his second album, No Lookin' Back. He co-produced this album and wrote most of the songs.

In 1986, McDonald had a big hit with "Sweet Freedom". This song was on the soundtrack for the movie Running Scared. It was his last top-10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. He also had a number-one hit with "On My Own", a duet with Patti LaBelle. He also sang backup on Toto's hit "I'll Be Over You".

McDonald performing in 2011

In 1990, McDonald released his third album, Take It to Heart. The title track was a minor hit. The next year, he joined the New York Rock and Soul Revue. This group was formed by Donald Fagen of Steely Dan. In 1991, he released "Ever Changing Times", a duet with Aretha Franklin.

In 1999, McDonald recorded "Eyes of a Child" for the South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut movie soundtrack. He also sang backup for the Warren Brothers.

In 2003, McDonald received two Grammy nominations for his album Motown. This album was a tribute to the famous Motown sound. A year later, he released Motown Two. Both albums featured his versions of classic Motown songs.

In 2000, McDonald helped start an independent record label called Ramp. On May 11, 2003, he was honored by the St. Louis Walk of Fame. He recorded a duet with Ray Charles on Charles' last album, Genius Loves Company (2004). In 2006, he was a guest singer for the jazz group Fourplay.

In 2008, McDonald released his album Soul Speak. It included new songs he wrote and covers of songs by other artists. In 2009, he sang "Storm Before the Calm" with the West Angeles COGIC Mass Choir. He also sang on a song by the band Grizzly Bear.

In December 2009, McDonald performed for a charity event called Keep the Beat. He played to a full house at the Granada Theater in Santa Barbara, California. He worked with student choirs and a brass section for the show.

In 2009, McDonald appeared on the TV show 30 Rock. He sang the national anthem at the 2010 Fiesta Bowl in 2010. He also sang "Takin' It to the Streets" on the American Idol season nine finale in 2010.

In 2010, McDonald teamed up with Donald Fagen and Boz Scaggs. They formed a supergroup called the Dukes of September. They performed on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon in 2012. They also played at Lincoln Center, which was shown on PBS.

In the summer of 2014, he toured the U.S. with the rock band Toto. In 2017, McDonald and Kenny Loggins were featured on Thundercat's song "Show You the Way". They performed the song together on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

In 2018, he was a guest singer on Barbra Streisand's album Walls. In 2021, McDonald was featured on a song by Toad the Wet Sprocket. In 2024, he sang background vocals on Lalah Hathaway's album, VANTABLACK.

Personal Life

Michael McDonald has been married to singer Amy Holland since 1983. They have two children together. In the late 1990s, he moved with his family to Santa Barbara. Later, they lived in Nashville.

Solo Albums

• If That's What It Takes (1982)
• No Lookin' Back (1985)
• Take It to Heart (1990)
• Blink of an Eye (1993)
• Blue Obsession (2000)
• In the Spirit: A Christmas Album (2001)
• Motown (2003)
• Motown Two (2004)
• Through the Many Winters, A Christmas Album (2005)
• Soul Speak (2008)
• This Christmas (2009)
• Wide Open (2017)

Awards and Honors

In May 2011, Michael McDonald received an Honorary Doctorate of Music. This was from Berklee College of Music.

See also

In Spanish: Michael McDonald (cantante) para niños