Life Begins
Michael McDonald is a warm, soulful-voiced American singer,
songwriter, and keyboard player born on February 12, 1952. He started his first
band, Mike and the Majestics, in high school while perfecting his singing and
keyboard skills at various local clubs. Ferguson, Missouri, is where he was
born, located just outside of St. Louis. In 1970, he moved to Los Angeles to
become a professional musician, making a living writing commercial jingles and
demos. He joined part-time as a backup vocalist and keyboard player of the
jazz-rock band Steely Dan in 1973, contributing vocals to songs like "Bad
Sneakers" and "Black Friday" from the 1975 album Katy Lied. He
recorded with Steely Dan subsequently for The Royal Scam (1976), Aja (1977) and
Gaucho (1980) – most notably contributing falsetto backing to their 1977 hit
"Peg".
Career Beginnings
In 1975, guitarist Jeff Baxter of the Doobie Brothers
pleaded with McDonald to step in for his sick lead vocalist "Tom
Johnston" on tour, which gave his career a dynamic uplift. McDonald was
so well-received that he joined the band as a regular member. McDonald's
"husky" voice and gospel-influenced keyboard style added a smoother
R&B polish to their country-rock sound. With his talent in song writing and being a co-lead vocalist,
McDonald composed, authored and performed many of the group's most successful
hits. He was a visitor on Takin' It to the Streets (1976) and Livin' on the
Fault Line (1977) and performed lead vocals for "It Keeps You
Runnin'." The Doobies' biggest hit, "What a Fool Believes"
(1979), which he wrote with Kenny Loggins, won several Grammys and was their
anthem. The band's number-one hits such as "Minute by Minute" (1979)
and "Real Love" (1980) were achieved under the leadership of
McDonald.
McDonald disbanded the group in 1982 since he wished to be a
solo artist. McDonald has toured with the Doobie Brothers on numerous
occasions.
He rejoined them once more in the 1990s and was once again a
full-time member in 2019. The Doobie Brothers embarked on tour in 2025 and
released a new album, Walk This Road, in June 2025. They have sold over 48
million albums and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.
McDonald, without any surprise, was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in
2025.
Solo Career
Following the Doobie Brothers, McDonald enjoyed a very
successful solo career.
His first album, If That's What It Takes (1982), includes
the jazzy hit single "I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near),"
which climbed to the Top 10 on the U.S. R&B charts. He went on to release
additional solo albums throughout the 1980s, among them No Lookin' Back (1985).
In 1986 he performed "Sweet Freedom" on the Running Scared movie
soundtrack – a pop single that reached No. 7 on the US charts. McDonald's solo
work spans pop and R&B to smooth jazz and even a Motown tribute; for
example, in the 2000s he released two albums of classic Motown covers. All
through over four decades he has continued writing, recording and performing as
a solo artist, e.g., recent live performances and recordings.
Collaborations and Awards
Musicians have collaborated with McDonald over the years. He
has recorded hit duets, including 1986's "On My Own" with Patti LaBelle
(Billboard No. 1) and 1983's "Yah Mo B There" with James Ingram
(Grammy-winning song for Best R&B Duo/Group). He co-wrote material for
others as well – for example, he co-wrote Kenny Loggins’ hit “I Gotta Try” and
even Van Halen’s song “I’ll Wait”. As session keys and vocals he appears on
many other celebrities' albums: pop/rock celebrities (Christopher Cross's
"Ride Like the Wind," Carly Simon, Elton John, Rickie Lee Jones and
Joni Mitchell albums), R&B artists (background vocals on Pointer Sisters recordings),
and country celebrities (duets and touring with country celebrities Vince
Gill). That is, his keys and vocals are utilized on recordings across all
genres. McDonald's work has earned him numerous awards. He has won five Grammy
Awards. He received his Grammy for "What a Fool Believes" and
"Yah Mo B There," along with yet another Grammy for Best Pop
Performance by a Duo or Group with the Doobie Brothers for "Minute by
Minute" in 1980. McDonald's efforts were also celebrated with his
induction into notable halls of fame: He was inducted into the Rock & Roll
Hall of Fame as a Doobie Brother in 2020 and, as previously stated, he will be
inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2025. His time at Berklee College
in 2011 got him an Honorary Doctorate of Music.
Net Worth
Michael McDonald's career has always been prosperous, both
financially and creatively. He maintains his personal finances confidential,
but music publications estimate his net worth to be in the range of $50
million. This is calculated from his string of hit albums (with Steely Dan, the
Doobie Brothers, and as a solo artist), traveling the world, royalties from his
songwriting and other business ventures.
Conclusion
Michael McDonald's three-decade-long career is a testament
to his exceptional talent and diversity in the music industry. From his
formative years of life in St. Louis to being the signature voice for acts like
The Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan, and ultimately to solo success, McDonald
has consistently created music that finds its way into people's hearts.
