Michael McDonald (singer)
Encyclopedia
Michael McDonald is a five-time Grammy Award
winning American
singer and songwriter
. McDonald is known for a soulful baritone
singing style and a multi-octave range. He began his career singing back-up vocals with Steely Dan
. He became a member of the Doobie Brothers from 1976 to 1981, a period which resulted in several hit songs for the band.
, Missouri
, McDonald played in several local bands (such as Mike and the Majestics, Jerry Jay and the Sheratons, the Reeb-Toors, the Del Rays and The Guild) while attending McCluer High School
in his hometown of Ferguson, Missouri
, now a city of some 25,000 people in St. Louis County, Missouri. McDonald was discovered while playing with a group called Blue and consequently moved to Los Angeles
in 1970.
, providing back-up vocals on tracks for 1975's Katy Lied
. He would return on subsequent Steely Dan recordings including 1976's The Royal Scam
and 1977's Aja
. He also played keyboards on some Steely Dan tracks. McDonald continued to do background vocals for Steely Dan through their 1980 release, Gaucho
. He was part of Steely Dan's last touring band in the 1970s, playing keyboards and singing backup.
in April 1975 when lead singer Tom Johnston became ill during a national tour. His time with the band proved so successful that they decided to retain him as a full time member.
As a member of the Doobie Brothers he recorded some of his best-known songs such as "Real Love", "Takin' It to the Streets", "Little Darling", "It Keeps You Runnin'", "Minute by Minute
" and "What a Fool Believes
" (which became a number one single in the U.S. and earned him a 1980 Grammy Award for Song of the Year
along with co-writer Kenny Loggins
). At the same time he appeared as a session singer and piano player for artists such as Christopher Cross
, Stephen Bishop
, Jack Jones
, Bonnie Raitt
, the rock band Toto
and Kenny Loggins
.
, also released in 1982, featured the hits "I Keep Forgettin' (We're Not in Love Anymore)," a duet with his sisters Kathy and Maureen, and "I Gotta Try," a song co-written with Kenny Loggins
, who recorded it as well.
McDonald co-wrote Van Halen
's Top 20 hit "I'll Wait
", from their landmark 1984
album. McDonald co-wrote "You Belong to Me
" with Carly Simon
.
"Yah Mo B There
", a duet with James Ingram
, won the 1985 Grammy
for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals
. He followed that up with "On My Own", a duet with Patti Labelle
, which reached #1 on the U.S. charts in 1986. Also in 1987 McDonald did a featured collaboration with American gospel group The Winans
from their Decisions album: "Love has no color". That same year he performed the single "Sweet Freedom" that appeared on that summer's hit movie Running Scared soundtrack.
McDonald's 1990 album Take It to Heart featured a minor hit with the title song, co-written with Diane Warren
. The following year
he joined the New York Rock and Soul Revue
, put together by Steely Dan's Donald Fagen
. 1991's "Ever Changing Times" with Aretha Franklin
, a duet on Arista Records
, had moderate success and radio play (peaking at #19 on US R&B charts). In 2003, he earned two Grammy nominations for his album Motown, a tribute to the Motown sound
.
In 2008 McDonald released his SoulSpeak album which (in addition to including three new songs penned by McDonald) featured his interpretations of 11 carefully selected soul-inspired songs. Ranging from universal evergreens like Dionne Warwick's "Walk On By" and Stevie Wonder's "Living For The City" to lesser-known numbers like Van Morrison's atmospheric "Into The Mystic" and the late 60s Chicago soul of Tyrone Davis' "Baby Can I Change My Mind".
McDonald has reunited as a guest performer with the Doobies several times since their initial dissolution in 1982 and joined Steely Dan on their 2006 summer tour, both as the opening act and as part of the band.
, McDonald recorded a self-parodying song "Eyes of a Child" and provided the high notes for Satan in "Up There".
In 2000, McDonald, along with partners Chris Pelonis and actor Jeff Bridges
, founded the independent recording label Ramp Records. In 2003, McDonald received a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame
. McDonald performs a duet with Ray Charles on Charles' 2004 Genius Loves Company
. In 2007, McDonald helped judge the 6th annual Independent Music Awards
. The following year, in 2008, McDonald performed "America the Beautiful
" at the Democratic National Convention
in Denver
, Colorado
.
In 2009, McDonald, along with the West Angeles COGIC
Mass Choir, released the song “Storm Before the Calm” on the compilation album Oh Happy Day
. McDonald also contributed an alternate lead vocal track for "While You Wait for the Others
", a single by the indie rock
band Grizzly Bear
, which released as a 7" single.
In December 2009, McDonald donated his performance to Keep the Beat in Santa Barbara, Calif., where he played to a maximum capacity crowd at the newly renovated Granada Theater. Harry Rabin, producer & head of Keep the Beat, an initiative of the Santa Barbara Education Foundation, produced the show, including two Video productions and worked with student chorale groups from Primary and secondary schools as well as a brass section so they could perform in the show with Michael and his band.
On hand for the performance were Dave Mason
, Kenny Loggins
, Jackson Browne
, David Crosby
, members of the band Venice
and the event was hosted by Harry Rabin and emceed by Jay Thomas.
In 2009, Michael McDonald appeared on the NBC
sitcom 30 Rock
as one of the benefit singers in the season finale episode "Kidney Now!
".
Singer Michael McDonald performs the national anthem before the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
between the Boise State Broncos
and TCU Horned Frogs
at the University of Phoenix
Stadium on January 4, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona
.
Michael McDonald sang "Takin' It to the Streets" on the final episode of American Idol
, season nine, in 2010.
In 2010, Michael McDonald released 'The Voice of Michael McDonald', a compilation of The Doobie Brothers and Michael McDonald hits, and duets with various artists. The album includes yet another re-recording of Arron Neville's 1966 song 'Tell It Like It Is', done in the style of Michael McDonald.
Michael also sang the United States National Anthem at game one of the 2011 NBA Finals
.
Recently Michael McDonald has contributed backing vocals for the indie electronic band Holy Ghost!
self titled album on their song "Some Children."
A new interview featuring Michael was released on June 20, 2011 on Inside MusiCast.
video series Yacht Rock
, a parody of the "smooth music" of the period. The fictionalized McDonald and songwriting partner Kenny Loggins were at the center of nearly all the episodes.
McDonald was parodied in a Second City Television
skit in the early 1980s, where he is portrayed by Rick Moranis
and is seen driving at speed through the streets in order to reach a recording studio to record his part as a back up singer for the Christopher Cross
track "Ride Like the Wind
". McDonald was in high demand as a backing vocal artist at the time, and would travel from studio to studio completing these requests.
McDonald and his Soundstage concert were referenced numerous times in the movie The 40-Year-Old Virgin
, where the electronics store manager insists on incessantly playing McDonald's DVD concert in store.
In an episode
of Family Guy
, McDonald is shown being hired to briefly perform backing vocals for everything Peter and other characters are saying.
In a sketch on Late Night With Conan O'Brien
, McDonald is parodied as a camp counselor who sings to children rather than talking to them.
since 1983. They have two children: a son named Dylan (after Bob) and a daughter named Scarlet (after Mike's mother).
, guitar; Vince Denham, saxophone; Lance Morrison, bass; Yvette "Baby Girl" Preyer; drums, keyboards; Pat Coil, Tambourine; Keith "Arthur" Merritt
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
winning American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
. McDonald is known for a soulful baritone
Baritone
Baritone is a type of male singing voice that lies between the bass and tenor voices. It is the most common male voice. Originally from the Greek , meaning deep sounding, music for this voice is typically written in the range from the second F below middle C to the F above middle C Baritone (or...
singing style and a multi-octave range. He began his career singing back-up vocals with Steely Dan
Steely Dan
Steely Dan is an American rock band; its core members are Donald Fagen and Walter Becker. The band's popularity peaked in the late 1970s, with the release of seven albums blending elements of jazz, rock, funk, R&B, and pop...
. He became a member of the Doobie Brothers from 1976 to 1981, a period which resulted in several hit songs for the band.
Early years
Born in St. LouisSt. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, McDonald played in several local bands (such as Mike and the Majestics, Jerry Jay and the Sheratons, the Reeb-Toors, the Del Rays and The Guild) while attending McCluer High School
McCluer High School
McCluer High School is a high school located in Florissant, Missouri. The principal is Gary Spiller, and the school is the home of the McCluer Comets. It is a part of the Ferguson-Florissant School District.-History:...
in his hometown of Ferguson, Missouri
Ferguson, Missouri
Ferguson is a city in St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. The population was 21,203 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Ferguson is located at ....
, now a city of some 25,000 people in St. Louis County, Missouri. McDonald was discovered while playing with a group called Blue and consequently moved to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
in 1970.
Steely Dan
Michael McDonald became one of the many in-studio adjunct members of the group Steely DanSteely Dan
Steely Dan is an American rock band; its core members are Donald Fagen and Walter Becker. The band's popularity peaked in the late 1970s, with the release of seven albums blending elements of jazz, rock, funk, R&B, and pop...
, providing back-up vocals on tracks for 1975's Katy Lied
Katy Lied
Katy Lied is the fourth album by Steely Dan, originally released in 1975 by ABC Records. It went gold and peaked at #13 on the US charts. The single "Black Friday" also charted at #37....
. He would return on subsequent Steely Dan recordings including 1976's The Royal Scam
The Royal Scam
The Royal Scam is the fifth album by Steely Dan, originally released by ABC Records in 1976. The album went gold and peaked at #15 on the charts. The Royal Scam features more prominent guitar work than other Steely Dan albums...
and 1977's Aja
Aja (album)
-Charts:AlbumPop Singles-Awards:Grammy Awards-External links:**, courtesy of The Museum of Classic Chicago Television...
. He also played keyboards on some Steely Dan tracks. McDonald continued to do background vocals for Steely Dan through their 1980 release, Gaucho
Gaucho (album)
Gaucho is the seventh studio album by the American Jazz rock band Steely Dan, released in 1980. The sessions for Gaucho represented the peak of Steely Dan's recording studio perfectionism and obsessive recording techniques...
. He was part of Steely Dan's last touring band in the 1970s, playing keyboards and singing backup.
Doobie Brothers
McDonald was recruited by the band The Doobie BrothersThe Doobie Brothers
The Doobie Brothers are an American rock band. The group has sold over 40 million units worldwide throughout their career. The Doobie Brothers were inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004.-Original incarnation:...
in April 1975 when lead singer Tom Johnston became ill during a national tour. His time with the band proved so successful that they decided to retain him as a full time member.
As a member of the Doobie Brothers he recorded some of his best-known songs such as "Real Love", "Takin' It to the Streets", "Little Darling", "It Keeps You Runnin'", "Minute by Minute
Minute by Minute
Minute by Minute is the eighth studio album by American rock band The Doobie Brothers, released in 1978. The album contains their biggest hit, the Grammy-winning "What a Fool Believes". "Depending on You" and the title track were also released as singles...
" and "What a Fool Believes
What a Fool Believes
"What a Fool Believes" is a song written by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins. The best-known version was recorded by The Doobie Brothers for their 1978 album Minute by Minute. The single reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on April 14, 1979, remaining in that position for one week...
" (which became a number one single in the U.S. and earned him a 1980 Grammy Award for Song of the Year
Grammy Award for Song of the Year
The Song of the Year is one of the four most prestigious awards in the Grammy Awards ceremony, if not in all of the American music industry. It has been awarded since 1959 and unlike the Record of the Year award, which goes to the performer and production team of a single song, Song of the Year...
along with co-writer Kenny Loggins
Kenny Loggins
During the next decade, Loggins recorded so many successful songs for film soundtracks that he was referred to as, King of the Movie Soundtrack.He began with "I'm Alright" , "Mr. Night", and "Lead the Way" from Caddyshack...
). At the same time he appeared as a session singer and piano player for artists such as Christopher Cross
Christopher Cross
Christopher Cross is an American singer-songwriter from San Antonio, Texas. His debut album earned him five Grammys. He is perhaps best known for his Top Ten hit songs, "Sailing", "Ride Like the Wind", and "Arthur's Theme ", the last of which he performed for the film Arthur starring Dudley Moore...
, Stephen Bishop
Stephen Bishop
Stephen Bishop may refer to:* Stephen Bishop * Stephen Bishop , African American cave explorer* Stephen Bishop , U.S. musician...
, Jack Jones
Jack Jones (singer)
John Allan "Jack" Jones is an American jazz and pop singer. He was one of the most popular vocalists of the 1960s.-Overview:...
, Bonnie Raitt
Bonnie Raitt
Bonnie Lynn Raitt is an American blues singer-songwriter and a renowned slide guitar player. During the 1970s, Raitt released a series of acclaimed roots-influenced albums which incorporated elements of blues, rock, folk and country, but she is perhaps best known for her more commercially...
, the rock band Toto
Toto (band)
Toto is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1977. The group currently consists of Joseph Williams , David Paich , Steve Porcaro , Steve Lukather , Mike Porcaro , and Simon Phillips . Toto is known for a musical style that combines elements of pop, rock, soul, funk, progressive rock, hard...
and Kenny Loggins
Kenny Loggins
During the next decade, Loggins recorded so many successful songs for film soundtracks that he was referred to as, King of the Movie Soundtrack.He began with "I'm Alright" , "Mr. Night", and "Lead the Way" from Caddyshack...
.
Solo career
After the Doobies' first farewell tour, McDonald compiled some of his earlier songs in the 1982 release That Was Then: The Early Years which has never been issued on CD. His first solo album, If That's What It TakesIf That's What It Takes (Michael McDonald album)
If That's What It Takes is the name of Michael McDonald's debut solo album, released in 1982.-Side one:# "Playin' by the Rules" – 4:55 # "I Keep Forgettin'" – 3:39...
, also released in 1982, featured the hits "I Keep Forgettin' (We're Not in Love Anymore)," a duet with his sisters Kathy and Maureen, and "I Gotta Try," a song co-written with Kenny Loggins
Kenny Loggins
During the next decade, Loggins recorded so many successful songs for film soundtracks that he was referred to as, King of the Movie Soundtrack.He began with "I'm Alright" , "Mr. Night", and "Lead the Way" from Caddyshack...
, who recorded it as well.
McDonald co-wrote Van Halen
Van Halen
Van Halen is an American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. The band has enjoyed success since the release of its debut album, Van Halen, . As of 2007 Van Halen has sold 80 million albums worldwide and has had the most #1 hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart...
's Top 20 hit "I'll Wait
I'll Wait
"I'll Wait" is a song by Van Halen that appears on their album 1984. It was the second single released from the album and reached number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. Like "Jump", this song features keyboards almost entirely, and includes a synthesizer bass line. The song also features heavy use of...
", from their landmark 1984
1984 (Van Halen album)
1984 is the sixth studio album by American hard rock band Van Halen. One of the band's more popular albums , 1984 is to date the final album featuring singer David Lee Roth before he left the band in the spring of the following year.-Background and recording:Eddie Van Halen,...
album. McDonald co-wrote "You Belong to Me
You Belong to Me (The Doobie Brothers song)
"You Belong to Me" is a song written by American singer-songwriters Carly Simon and Michael McDonald. Originally recorded by the American rock group The Doobie Brothers for their seventh studio album, Livin' on the Fault Line , the song was made famous by Simon herself when recorded for her seventh...
" with Carly Simon
Carly Simon
Carly Elisabeth Simon is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and children's author. She rose to fame in the 1970s with a string of hit records, and has since been the recipient of two Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe Award for her work...
.
"Yah Mo B There
Yah Mo B There
"Yah Mo B There" is an R&B song by American singers James Ingram and Michael McDonald. It was written by Ingram, McDonald, Rod Temperton, and producer Quincy Jones. The originally appeared on Ingram's 1983 album It's Your Night, released on Jones' Qwest Records label. It was released as a single in...
", a duet with James Ingram
James Ingram
James Ingram is an American soul musician. He is best known as a vocalist. He is also a self-taught musician who plays piano, guitar, bass, drums and keyboards...
, won the 1985 Grammy
Grammy Awards of 1985
The 27th Grammy Awards were held February 26, 1985, and were broadcast live on American television. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the year 1984.- Award winners :*Record of the Year...
for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals
Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals
The Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal was awarded between 1970 and 2011. From 1967 to 1969 and in 1971 the award included instrumental performances...
. He followed that up with "On My Own", a duet with Patti Labelle
Patti LaBelle
Patricia Louise Holte-Edwards , better known under the stage name, Patti LaBelle, is a Grammy Award winning American singer, author and actress who has spent over 50 years in the music industry...
, which reached #1 on the U.S. charts in 1986. Also in 1987 McDonald did a featured collaboration with American gospel group The Winans
The Winans
The Winans are an American Gospel music quartet from Detroit, Michigan consisting of brothers Marvin, Carvin, Michael and Ronald Winans.-Members:Please refer to the Winans family page for more detail on the individual members.-Origins:...
from their Decisions album: "Love has no color". That same year he performed the single "Sweet Freedom" that appeared on that summer's hit movie Running Scared soundtrack.
McDonald's 1990 album Take It to Heart featured a minor hit with the title song, co-written with Diane Warren
Diane Warren
Diane Eve Warren , is a US songwriter. Her songs have received six Academy Award nominations, five Golden Globe nominations, including one win and seven Grammy Award nominations, including one win. She was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001...
. The following year
1991 in music
See also:* 1991 in music Record labels established in 1991-Summary:The year 1991 is the year that grunge music made its popular breakthrough. Nirvana's Nevermind, led by the surprise hit single "Smells Like Teen Spirit", becomes the most popular U.S. album of the year...
he joined the New York Rock and Soul Revue
New York Rock and Soul Revue
The New York Rock and Soul Revue was a musical project which evolved from a series of concerts and musical shows produced by Libby Titus that lasted from 1989 to 1993...
, put together by Steely Dan's Donald Fagen
Donald Fagen
Donald Jay Fagen is an American musician and songwriter, best known as the co-founder, lead singer, and the principal songwriter of the rock band Steely Dan ....
. 1991's "Ever Changing Times" with Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All...
, a duet on Arista Records
Arista Records
Arista was an American record label. It was a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment and operated under the RCA Music Group. The label was founded in 1974 by Clive Davis, who formerly worked for CBS Records...
, had moderate success and radio play (peaking at #19 on US R&B charts). In 2003, he earned two Grammy nominations for his album Motown, a tribute to the Motown sound
Motown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
.
In 2008 McDonald released his SoulSpeak album which (in addition to including three new songs penned by McDonald) featured his interpretations of 11 carefully selected soul-inspired songs. Ranging from universal evergreens like Dionne Warwick's "Walk On By" and Stevie Wonder's "Living For The City" to lesser-known numbers like Van Morrison's atmospheric "Into The Mystic" and the late 60s Chicago soul of Tyrone Davis' "Baby Can I Change My Mind".
McDonald has reunited as a guest performer with the Doobies several times since their initial dissolution in 1982 and joined Steely Dan on their 2006 summer tour, both as the opening act and as part of the band.
Recent activities
In 1999, for the soundtrack album to South Park: Bigger, Longer & UncutSouth Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut
South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut is a 1999 animated musical comedy film based on the animated television series South Park, created by Matt Stone and Trey Parker. The film was directed by Parker, who also stars along with the rest of the regular voice cast from the series, including Stone, Mary...
, McDonald recorded a self-parodying song "Eyes of a Child" and provided the high notes for Satan in "Up There".
In 2000, McDonald, along with partners Chris Pelonis and actor Jeff Bridges
Jeff Bridges
Jeffrey Leon "Jeff" Bridges is an American actor and musician. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Otis "Bad" Blake in the 2009 film Crazy Heart....
, founded the independent recording label Ramp Records. In 2003, McDonald received a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame
St. Louis Walk of Fame
The St. Louis Walk of Fame honors well-known people from St. Louis, Missouri, who made contributions to culture of the United States. All inductees were either born in the Greater St. Louis area or spent their formative or creative years there...
. McDonald performs a duet with Ray Charles on Charles' 2004 Genius Loves Company
Genius Loves Company
Genius Loves Company is the final studio album by rhythm and blues and soul musician Ray Charles, posthumously released August 31, 2004 on Concord Records. Recording sessions for the album took place between June 2003 and March 2004...
. In 2007, McDonald helped judge the 6th annual Independent Music Awards
The Independent Music Awards
The Independent Music Awards is an international program that honors top-ranked independent artists and releases in more than 50 Album, Song, Music Video and Design categories....
. The following year, in 2008, McDonald performed "America the Beautiful
America the Beautiful
"America the Beautiful" is an American patriotic song. The lyrics were written by Katharine Lee Bates and the music composed by church organist and choirmaster Samuel A. Ward....
" at the Democratic National Convention
2008 Democratic National Convention
The United States 2008 Democratic National Convention was a quadrennial presidential nominating convention of the Democratic Party where it adopted its national platform and officially nominated its candidates for President and Vice President of the United States. The convention was held in Denver,...
in Denver
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
.
In 2009, McDonald, along with the West Angeles COGIC
West Angeles Church of God in Christ
West Angeles Church of God in Christ is a Baptist Christian church and a member of the Church of God in Christ denomination. It is located in the West Adams Historic District of Los Angeles, California, USA....
Mass Choir, released the song “Storm Before the Calm” on the compilation album Oh Happy Day
Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration
"Some of secular music's top acts -- among them Queen Latifah, Jon Bon Jovi, Joss Stone and 3 Doors Down -- take a walk on the spiritual side for Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration."...
. McDonald also contributed an alternate lead vocal track for "While You Wait for the Others
While You Wait for the Others
"While You Wait for the Others" is a song by Brooklyn-based indie rock band Grizzly Bear, and the second single from the band's third studio album, Veckatimest...
", a single by the indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band Grizzly Bear
Grizzly Bear (band)
Grizzly Bear is a Brooklyn-based indie rock band, composed of Edward Droste , Daniel Rossen , Chris Taylor and Christopher Bear . The band employs traditional and electronic instruments...
, which released as a 7" single.
In December 2009, McDonald donated his performance to Keep the Beat in Santa Barbara, Calif., where he played to a maximum capacity crowd at the newly renovated Granada Theater. Harry Rabin, producer & head of Keep the Beat, an initiative of the Santa Barbara Education Foundation, produced the show, including two Video productions and worked with student chorale groups from Primary and secondary schools as well as a brass section so they could perform in the show with Michael and his band.
On hand for the performance were Dave Mason
Dave Mason
David Thomas "Dave" Mason is an English singer, songwriter, and guitarist from Worcester, who first found fame with the rock band Traffic...
, Kenny Loggins
Kenny Loggins
During the next decade, Loggins recorded so many successful songs for film soundtracks that he was referred to as, King of the Movie Soundtrack.He began with "I'm Alright" , "Mr. Night", and "Lead the Way" from Caddyshack...
, Jackson Browne
Jackson Browne
Jackson Browne is an American singer-songwriter and musician who has sold over 17 million albums in the United States alone....
, David Crosby
David Crosby
David Van Cortlandt Crosby is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. In addition to his solo career, he was a founding member of three bands: The Byrds, Crosby, Stills & Nash , and CPR...
, members of the band Venice
Venice (band)
Venice was started in Venice, California in 1977 by cousins Michael Lennon and Kipp Lennon . Michael's brother Mark joined the band in 1978, followed by Kipp's brother Pat in 1980. Kipp and Pat are two of eleven siblings, and are younger brothers of the Lennon Sisters...
and the event was hosted by Harry Rabin and emceed by Jay Thomas.
In 2009, Michael McDonald appeared on the NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
sitcom 30 Rock
30 Rock
30 Rock is an American television comedy series created by Tina Fey that airs on NBC. The series is loosely based on Fey's experiences as head writer for Saturday Night Live...
as one of the benefit singers in the season finale episode "Kidney Now!
Kidney Now!
"Kidney Now!" is the twenty-second episode and season finale of the third season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock, and the 58th overall episode of the series. It was directed by series producer Don Scardino, and written by show producers Jack Burditt and Robert Carlock...
".
Singer Michael McDonald performs the national anthem before the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
2010 Fiesta Bowl
The 2010 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl game was a post-season college football bowl game between the #4 TCU Horned Frogs, champions of the Mountain West Conference, and the #6 Boise State Broncos, champions of the Western Athletic Conference. The game was played Monday, January 4, 2010, at University of...
between the Boise State Broncos
2009 Boise State Broncos football team
The 2009 Boise State Broncos football team represented Boise State University in the 2009 college football season. The Broncos played their home games at Bronco Stadium, most famous for its blue artificial turf surface, often referred to as the "smurf-turf"...
and TCU Horned Frogs
2009 TCU Horned Frogs football team
The 2009 TCU Horned Frogs football team represented Texas Christian University in the 2009 college football season. The team was coached by Gary Patterson. The Frogs played their home games at Amon G. Carter Stadium, which is located on campus in Fort Worth. The Horned Frogs finished the season...
at the University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix
The University of Phoenix is a for-profit institution of higher learning. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Apollo Group Inc. which is publicly traded , an S&P 500 corporation based in Phoenix, Arizona...
Stadium on January 4, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona
Glendale, Arizona
Glendale is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, located about nine miles northwest from Downtown Phoenix. According to 2010 Census Bureau, the population of the city is 226,721....
.
Michael McDonald sang "Takin' It to the Streets" on the final episode of American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
, season nine, in 2010.
In 2010, Michael McDonald released 'The Voice of Michael McDonald', a compilation of The Doobie Brothers and Michael McDonald hits, and duets with various artists. The album includes yet another re-recording of Arron Neville's 1966 song 'Tell It Like It Is', done in the style of Michael McDonald.
Michael also sang the United States National Anthem at game one of the 2011 NBA Finals
2011 NBA Finals
The 2011 NBA Finals was the championship series of the 2010–11 season of the National Basketball Association and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. The Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks defeated the Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat, 4–2, to win their first NBA title...
.
Recently Michael McDonald has contributed backing vocals for the indie electronic band Holy Ghost!
Holy Ghost!
Holy Ghost! are an American electropop duo from New York City consisting of Nick Millhiser and Alex Frankel.-History:Millhiser and Frankel both grew up on the Upper West Side of New York City and attended elementary school together. They were later part of a hip hop group called Automato...
self titled album on their song "Some Children."
A new interview featuring Michael was released on June 20, 2011 on Inside MusiCast.
Popular culture
A fictionalized version of McDonald (portrayed by actor JD Ryznar), and other popular singers and band members of the 1970s and 1980s appeared in the online Channel 101Channel 101
Channel 101 is a non-profit short film festival in Los Angeles, which also has a sister festival in NYC, Channel 101: NY. Channel 101 is a creation of Dan Harmon and Rob Schrab in which participants submit a short film in the format of a pilot under five minutes in length...
video series Yacht Rock
Yacht rock
Yacht Rock was an online video series following the fictionalized lives and careers of American soft rock stars of the late 1970s and early 1980s. The series debuted on Channel 101 at the June 26, 2005 screening. It placed in the top five at subsequent screenings until the June 25, 2006 screening,...
, a parody of the "smooth music" of the period. The fictionalized McDonald and songwriting partner Kenny Loggins were at the center of nearly all the episodes.
McDonald was parodied in a Second City Television
Second City Television
Second City Television is a Canadian television sketch comedy show offshoot from Toronto's The Second City troupe that ran between 1976 and 1984.- Premise :...
skit in the early 1980s, where he is portrayed by Rick Moranis
Rick Moranis
Frederick Allan "Rick" Moranis is a Canadian comedian, actor, musician, and a magician. Moranis came to prominence in the late 1970s on the sketch comedy show Second City Television, and later appeared in several Hollywood films including Strange Brew; Ghostbusters; Spaceballs; Little Shop of...
and is seen driving at speed through the streets in order to reach a recording studio to record his part as a back up singer for the Christopher Cross
Christopher Cross
Christopher Cross is an American singer-songwriter from San Antonio, Texas. His debut album earned him five Grammys. He is perhaps best known for his Top Ten hit songs, "Sailing", "Ride Like the Wind", and "Arthur's Theme ", the last of which he performed for the film Arthur starring Dudley Moore...
track "Ride Like the Wind
Ride Like the Wind
In 1991, the band East Side Beat a remix of the song Ride Like the Wind on. This is in contrast to the original version created the very style of the 1990s. There are also five remixes of the cover...
". McDonald was in high demand as a backing vocal artist at the time, and would travel from studio to studio completing these requests.
McDonald and his Soundstage concert were referenced numerous times in the movie The 40-Year-Old Virgin
The 40-Year-Old Virgin
The 40-Year-Old Virgin is a 2005 American buddy comedy film about a middle-aged man's journey to finally have sex. The film was written and directed by Judd Apatow and co-written by its lead star, Steve Carell, though the film itself features a great deal of improvised dialogue...
, where the electronics store manager insists on incessantly playing McDonald's DVD concert in store.
In an episode
Padre de Familia
"Padre de Familia" is a season six episode of the FOX animated series Family Guy. Guest starring are Carrie Fisher as Peter's supervisor, Angela, Phyllis Diller as Peter's mother, Thelma Griffin and Gabriel Iglesias as Gerardo....
of Family Guy
Family Guy
Family Guy is an American animated television series created by Seth MacFarlane for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series centers on the Griffins, a dysfunctional family consisting of parents Peter and Lois; their children Meg, Chris, and Stewie; and their anthropomorphic pet dog Brian...
, McDonald is shown being hired to briefly perform backing vocals for everything Peter and other characters are saying.
In a sketch on Late Night With Conan O'Brien
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Late Night with Conan O'Brien is an American late-night talk show hosted by Conan O'Brien that aired 2,725 episodes on NBC between 1993 and 2009. The show featured varied comedic material, celebrity interviews, and musical and comedy performances. Late Night aired weeknights at 12:37 am...
, McDonald is parodied as a camp counselor who sings to children rather than talking to them.
Personal life
McDonald has been married to singer Amy HollandAmy Holland
Amy Holland is a pop rock singer. She is of Dutch descent and changed her name from Boersma to Holland , because she thought it would make a better stage name. Her mother was country star Esmereldy and her father was opera singer Harry Boersma...
since 1983. They have two children: a son named Dylan (after Bob) and a daughter named Scarlet (after Mike's mother).
Grammys
- 1979: Record of the Year for "What a Fool Believes" (The Doobie Brothers)
- 1979: Song of the Year for "What a Fool Believes" (with Kenny LogginsKenny LogginsDuring the next decade, Loggins recorded so many successful songs for film soundtracks that he was referred to as, King of the Movie Soundtrack.He began with "I'm Alright" , "Mr. Night", and "Lead the Way" from Caddyshack...
) - 1979: Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus for "Minute by Minute" (The Doobie Brothers)
- 1979: Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocals for "What a Fool Believes" (The Doobie Brothers)
- 1984: Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for "Yah Mo B There" (with James IngramJames IngramJames Ingram is an American soul musician. He is best known as a vocalist. He is also a self-taught musician who plays piano, guitar, bass, drums and keyboards...
)
Band members
Bernie ChiaravalleBernie chiaravalle
Bernie Chiaravalle is the guitarist for singer Michael McDonald and has also been a songwriting partner with McDonald since the late 1980s. Bernie's career with Michael started out by meeting singer/songwriter David Pack from the group Ambrosia who later introduced him to Michael. He and McDonald...
, guitar; Vince Denham, saxophone; Lance Morrison, bass; Yvette "Baby Girl" Preyer; drums, keyboards; Pat Coil, Tambourine; Keith "Arthur" Merritt