Michael McDonald (singer)
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| Michael McDonald | |
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 Michael McDonald backstage after a tribute concert in Los Angeles (February 4, 2000)
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| Background information | |
| Born | February 12, 1952 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Genre(s) | Rock Pop R&B Motown Adult contemporary Blue-eyed soul Yacht Rock |
| Instrument(s) | Singer (voice) Piano Keyboards Guitar |
| Voice type(s) | Baritone [1] |
| Years active | 1975–present |
| Associated acts | Steely Dan The Doobie Brothers |
| Website | http://michaelmcdonald.com |
Michael McDonald (born February 12, 1952, in St. Louis, Missouri) is a gold and platinum-selling American R&B/soul singer and songwriter. He is sometimes described as a "blue-eyed soul" singer and sings in a distinctive "husky, soulful" yet baritone range.[2] He is known for his work as a member of the Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan, and for several hits as a solo artist.
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[edit] Early years
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.
[edit] Steely Dan
Michael McDonald first gained wide attention as an adjunct member of the group Steely Dan, 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 as well as both "Peg" and "I Got the News" from the 1977 album Aja. He also played keyboards on some Steely Dan tracks. McDonald continued to do background vocals for Steely Dan up to their 1980 release, Gaucho. He also was a member of the original Steely Dan touring band playing keyboards/piano and singing backup in the short time they toured in the early '70s.
[edit] Doobie Brothers
McDonald was recruited by the band The Doobie Brothers 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 Doobies, he recorded some of his most well-known songs, such as "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 1978 Grammy Award for Song of the Year). At the same time he appeared as a session singer and piano player for artists like Christopher Cross, Jack Jones, Bonnie Raitt, the rock band Toto and Kenny Loggins.
[edit] 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 Takes, also released in 1982, featured the hits "I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)," a duet with his sister Maureen, and "I Gotta Try," a song co-written with Kenny Loggins, who recorded it as well.
"Yah Mo B There", a duet with James Ingram, won him the 1985 Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.[3] He followed that up with "On My Own", a duet with Patti Labelle, which reached #1 on the U.S. charts in 1986.
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.
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.[4]
In 2000, McDonald, along with partners Chris Pelonis and actor Jeff Bridges, founded the independent recording label Ramp Records.[5]
In 2003, McDonald received a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame.[6]
In 2007, McDonald was also a judge for the 6th annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists' careers.[7]
In 2008, McDonald performed "America the Beautiful" at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado at Invesco Field.
In 2009, Michael McDonald, along with West Angeles COGIC Mass, released the song “Storm Before The Calm” on the compilation album Oh Happy Day. [8]
In 2009, Michael McDonald was one of the singers in the parody "Kidney Song" in the season finale of NBCs "30 Rock" [9]
In 2009, Michael McDonald contributed lead vocal of a song for the electronica outfit "Holy Ghost!" which is scheduled to be released on the duo's upcoming album. [10]
[edit] Personal Life
McDonald has been married to singer Amy Holland since 1983. They have two children.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Band members
Bernie Chiaravalle, guitar; Vince Denham, saxophone; Lance Morrison, bass; Yvette "Baby Girl" Preyer, drums.
[edit] References
- ^ StubHub.com.
- ^ Profile of Michael McDonald by Stephen Thomas Erlewine; www.allmusic.com.
- ^ Grammy.com – Grammy winners
- ^ Steely Dan website: Tour '06 Retrieved 2008-08-16
- ^ Ramp Records – homepage Retrieved 2008-08-16
- ^ St. Louis Walk of Fame – Michael McDonald Retrieved 2008-08-16
- ^ Independent Music Awards - 6th Annual Judges
- ^ "Jon Bon Jovi, Queen Latifah go gospel for "Day"". Reuters. March 27, 2009. http://www.reuters.com/article/musicNews/idUSTRE52Q6WQ20090327.
- ^ http://newsroom.mtv.com/2009/05/15/30-rock-kidney-now-song-inspires-we-are-the-world-nostalgia/
- ^ http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=81437296874
[edit] External links
- Michael McDonald official web site
- Official MySpace site
- St. Louis Walk of Fame
- Michael McDonald at the Internet Movie Database
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