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Michael McDonald lent his legendary singing voice to not one but TWO great bands: Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer sat down with Guy to talk about writing classic songs on envelopes and forgetting about them for years; feeling self-conscious on stage as a frontman; what he thinks of the label “yacht rock”; and how getting sober saved his life.
Michael’s memoir is called “What a Fool Believes”. You can buy it here: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/what-a-fool-believes-michael-mcdonaldpaul-reiser?variant=41098892247074
Listen to this episode on the go:
🟣Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/michael-mcdonald-i-went-from-couch-surfing-to-playing/id1640546593?i=1000655361577
🟢Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/218BTDfRVrl9WPJGdXdEKa?si=AQCB4g3eSNSYu-sU3VChbg
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:01:03) - Growing up in Ferguson
(00:06:34) - St. Louis music culture
(00:10:36) - Discovering his voice
(00:16:47) - Recording offer at 18
(00:26:44) - Joining Steely Dan
(00:38:03) - The Doobie Brothers
(00:57:13) - The Doobie Brothers splits, going solo
(01:05:32) - Addiction and recovery
(01:12:59) - Taking years to finish songs
(01:22:49) - “Yacht rock”
(01:26:51) - Michael's legacy?
Mentioned in this episode:
• I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near) music video - https://youtu.be/9gbQVj4MR3M?si=J2LZJ-i1YVdcXWbN
• Warren G: Regulate music video - https://youtu.be/1plPyJdXKIY?si=YlMVU16cT_Zjj4sZ
• What a Fool Believes music video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKYQNtF11eg
• Sweet Freedom (1986) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8-JPyVRkiE
• Michael talking about singing on Steely Dan’s “Peg” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9qU88iJBxk
• Rick Moranis SCTV sketch about Michael - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jtrp_6jS3ts
• Three Michael McDonalds Sing “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” (w/ Jimmy Fallon & Justin Timberlake): Tonight Show - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeCD4bIkQwg
• Family Guy having fun with Michael’s famous backing vocals - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0B6nxPfcCM
• Michael’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/michaelmcdonaldofficial/
• Michael’s Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/TheMichaelMcDonald/
• Michael’s memoir, “What a Fool Believes” - https://www.harpercollins.com/products/what-a-fool-believes-michael-mcdonaldpaul-reiser?variant=41098892247074
Connect with Michael:
• 💻Website https://www.michaelmcdonald.com/
• 📺Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/michaelmcdonaldvideo
• 📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelmcdonaldofficial/
Connect with us:
•💻Website: TheGreatCreators.com
•📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegreatcreatorspodcast and https://www.instagram.com/guy.raz
• 🎵TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@guyraz