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Soulful singer Michael McDonald looks back in his new memoir, 'What a Fool Believes'
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Something stopped Michael McDonald from telling his story publicly — him. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer with multiple Grammys just didn’t think he had one.
McDonald, a member of both Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers who became a singular soul solo artist with such hits as “On My Own″ and “Sweet Freedom,” believed he was just a small player in the history of rock.
“I was afraid that, ‘Well, how much of a story is here, really?’ My experience is pretty much me living vicariously through other people’s accomplishments,” McDonald said in an interview.
Prodded by a friend — actor and comedian Paul Reiser — McDonald is finally owning his story this spring in the unvarnished and humble memoir “What a Fool Believes,” out May 21.
Small correction. McDonald was never a member of Steely Dan, he simply had a guest appearance on their Aja album as did a whole slew of other musicians. At this point Steely Dan had only two members, and McDonald wasn’t one of them. That’s the factual part of this post. Now for the just-my-opinion part: Michael McDonald ruined the Doobies. They were pretty good before he came along. Then he came along. Then they sucked.
He was also on earlier albums, and toured with them playing keys and singing.
And did backups on Gaucho
and contributed original keyboard arrangements.
He was absolutley a member.
Michael McDonald wouldn't agree with that. https://expandingdan.substack.com/p/michael-mcdonald-steely-dan-origins-jeff-porcaro?initial_medium=video
I keep forgettin' I'm not in the band anymore...
OMG love your username! One of my all time fav movies!
If we ever get out of here, I'm going to have my eyes lasered...
I don’t think the Doobies sucked after MMcD came along. They were absolutely a different sounding band, more pop and “softer” than their original “Harleys and leather jackets” rock image and sound.
As Tom Johnston’s health deteriorated and McD became more prominent as a musician and songwriter, they definitely changed directions sound-wise.
But Minute by Minute was an enormous success for the Doobies - commercially and critically (won a Grammy and nominated for album of the year). It definitely took them to another level in terms of reach and success.
Doobies have always been a band with multiple members coming in and out at times and their sound shifting, but agree none more noticeable than when McD came. Like you I prefer their sound before McD came (I think Without You is their best), but I think there is as much validity in saying McDonald saved the Doobies and even propelled them as there is that he ruined them.
from wikipedia. Oh and also he litrally was part of the touring band, something you didn't note. He absolutely was a member of the band.
Michael H. McDonald (born February 12, 1952) is an American singer, keyboardist and songwriter known for his distinctive, soulful voice and as a member of Steely Dan (1973–1974), and the Doobie Brothers (1975–1982, 1987, 2019–present). McDonald wrote and sang several hit singles with the Doobie Brothers, including "What a Fool Believes", "Minute by Minute", and "Takin' It to the Streets." McDonald has also performed as a prominent backing vocalist on numerous recordings by artists including Steely Dan, Christopher Cross, and Kenny Loggins.
Holy smokes! Wikipedia? Can’t get much more credible than that!
That was sarcasm. Steely Dan, after their second album, was Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, and a bunch of hired guns. So if you mean that “part of the band” means that McDonald contributed backing vocals on four of their albums, and occasionally stood on the same stage as them, then I suppose you are correct. But I disagree. Steely Dan was a partnership between two men. Michael McDonald was no more a member of Steely Dan than Daryl Jones was a member of the Rolling Stones (he’s their touring bassist).
He toured with them, he recorded with them, and he contributed original keyboards to an album.
Yeah thats part of the band, no question.
I'm just glad I ran into some music dorks passionately arguing about Michael McDonald, Steely Dan, and the Doobie Brothers in the year of our lord 2024. I buy you all e-beers.
Sorry, no. To be pedantic, the decision about who was officially in the band was decided by Becker and Fagen, who at that point had decided that Steely Dan consisted solely of Becker and Fagen. Touring bands and studio contributors are most emphatically not part of any band unless the band itself decides otherwise.
B and F can't just make up their own reality. NOt how it works.
Would rather listen to WAFB over China Grove any day
I love both!
Minute By Minute is pretty awesome as well.
That whole album is great.
To each their own. I personally hate WAFB and will change the station instantly it comes on the radio, but I totally respect that you like that song. Musical tastes are subjective.
That’s not totally fair. The McDonald era Doobies had a completely different sound, it was almost like two different bands really. And of course they had their biggest selling album and hits with McDonald.
That being said, I liked the old Doobies as well so it was a bit of a toss up for me
McDonald was never a member of Steely Dan,
And neither was Chevy Chase, but people keep trying to shoehorn him in as a member just because he played with Walter and Donald a few years before they actually formed the band because it's a "fun fact".
He was a member of the band. I saw him open for them in like 2008 and Don Fagen literally referred to him as a guy who used to be in steely dan
I feel the same way about Niel Young and Crosby, Stills & Nash.
He was never a member, but then again since Becker and Fagen fired everyone else from the original line-up, they were the only 2 members until Becker died.
But I think the connection comes from the fact that getting hired on as part of Steely Dan's touring band in the 70s was one his first big breaks.
When you tour with a band, you do become a member for that tour.
They were pretty good before he came along. Then he came along. Then they sucked.
They were wonderful and filled a niche quite nicely. I really miss them, and the early music.
While I understand the need, and the desire for the band bringing him in, I agree with you that they weren't as good once he settled in and the band became support for his voice.
It Keeps You Running is a banger.
Wow, we must be kindred spirits on this issue! I like McDonald and he has contributed to so many great artists including Christopher Cross and Patty La Belle but he definitely took the Doobies in the wrong direction. It paid off for them. Their music went from soulful to soulless catchy pop tunes. The organ parts sound like they were done by a 12 year old.
Yep - The Doobies were a kick-ass full-on rockin’ biker bar band. And then McDonald joined and turned them into a MOR mellow FM-station staple. To this day I turn the station if I hear him. YMMV.
He participated in the Jan 6 capitol riots. It would be interesting to see if his vanilla flavored music career story is enough to ultimately keep him from being a toxic brand to publications like APnews
Nope. The Michael McDonald who was involved was the chairman of the Nevada Republican Party and a supporter of the guy standing trial in NYC right now. It’s a very common name.
Yeah, this guy thinks Michael wrote Taking it to the Streets in the 70’s and now has finally found his people. 🤦🏻♂️
hahahaha! sooooo wrong!
Thank you. I would be really surprised and disappointed if it was our MMD.
absolutely! you may not believe this but my daughter and my son separately each have a friend named Michael McDonald!
Yup, if you search on LinkedIn, you'll find tons of people with that name. Michael Bolton too. I wonder how often they have to hear "Yah Mo B There" and Office Space jokes, respectively.
And now we’re in a strange era of weird baby names: Kayden Jayden Hayden Brayden Ocean Summer Kailen Hadleigh Rhythm Paisleigh etc etc! Poor kids will be fighting on the playground forever!
That is an amazing coincidence as BOTH my daughter and son are named Michael McDonald! I wonder if these are the Michael McDonalds that your children know. 🤔
No that’s not Michael McDonald. Michael McDonald has white hair and is the singer of soulful tunes such as “Panic”
It's a different Michael McDonald. The one you're referring to is chairman of the Nevada Republican Party.
No I’m referring to Yacht Rock pioneer and ethnic impersonator Michael McDonald
LOL
Laugh if you want, but you can actually see footage of Michael McDonald on Jan. 6th in this video:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EuzjY1IyM0o&pp=ygUYTWljaGFlbCBtY2RvbmFsZCBjdW10b3du
OK I'm glad this was actually going somewhere lol
Lmfaoo you fuckin got my gay ass
What a whiff. Wrong MM broseph.
No, there were 2, possibly more Michael McDonalds at the capital riot. Read the entire comment section, I’ve provided a video