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Michael McDonald

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Michael McDonald was born in 1952 in Ferguson, Missouri, near St. Louis. As a schoolboy he played in local bands and in 1970 he was discovered while playing with a group called Blue. In 1974 he joined the touring band of Steely Dan, as a Wurlitzer electric piano player and singer. He sang lead on Show Biz Kids and the last verse of Pretzel Logic. By his own account he got the job because he could sing all the high parts, which appealed to Donald Fagen.

Music and breakthrough

In April 1975 the Doobie Brothers brought him in as a temporary replacement for the singer Tom Johnston, who had fallen ill. It went so well that he stayed. He sang lead on songs such as Takin' It to the Streets, Little Darling (I Need You), It Keeps You Runnin' and Minute by Minute. What a Fool Believes became a number one in the United States and earned him a Grammy for Song of the Year in 1980, shared with Kenny Loggins. Meanwhile he sang and played as a session musician for Christopher Cross, Bonnie Raitt, Toto and Kenny Loggins.

Influence

His solo album If That's What It Takes was released in 1982 and contained the hit I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near). Later came, among others, Blue Obsession, Motown in 2003 and Soul Speak in 2008. His voice, soulful and with a dark warmth, became a trademark of the smooth West Coast sound. He also collaborated with, among others, Aretha Franklin, Van Halen and Grizzly Bear.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to What a Fool Believes by the Doobie Brothers and notice the piano rhythm and the choral singing around it: how does McDonald's voice sound among them?

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

See also

Categories: ArtistsYacht rock