In today’s episode I talk with Michael McDonald, a true musical luminary whose soulful voice and exceptional keyboard skills have made an undeniable impact on popular music. From his groundbreaking work with the Doobie Brothers to his brilliant solo career to his significant contributions as a background vocalist for artists like Steely Dan and Christopher Cross, McDonald’s journey is rich with melody and innovation. Join me as we delve into the stories behind his iconic career.
Micheal’s new memoir “What a Fool Believes” is available for pre order here:
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Great! Love It!
does he still smoke pot?
So funny – the first song I ever played with a band back in '65 was also "Boys" and also, we ran both guitars and mic through one little amp (Teisco 4,5W) Those were the days😀
Just found out I’m interested in Michael McDonald. Who knew? Rick Beato knew, apparently.
EXCELLENT interview!
Wow this was amazing. I cried!
Mclean sang, "The Day the Music Died,'…it may be Dead now, but, not Forgotten!
When he was talking about hearing his song on Muzak , I remember years ago walking down a grocery aisle and hearing the song ' Words' from missing persons play. They really can ruin a song. Great interview
Great SHOW.
Fantastic interview, Michael has such an easy going and warm personality, makes things sound so easy. His voice, of course, unique, talented Wow, so refreshing. I loved "You don't know me", made me cry. Thank you so much, Rick.❤🙏🏻 God bless You all! Greetings from Mexico city.
I saw him last year in Singapore with The Doobies. Fantastic gig. He sounded as great as on his records.
Great interview Rick. Enjoyed every minute of it.
He's so refreshingly humble.
Love this. We are finally getting the deep interviews we always have wanted … no silly questions by people that don't understand the professionals they are talking to. Just honest conversation about the craft, something that most of us fans have been dying to hear about our entire lives. And of course … what a song at the end. Not heard anything that good in some time.
Great interview. One of the interesting points Michael brought up was the notion that Albums had to have one particular style at some particular point in time in order to sell more records. I found that the appeal of the Doobie Bros earlier Albums was the fact that they did have that variety in terms of style.
This is the kind of interview that musicians really enjoy. Talking about music and their albums and songs and the production of all of it and that’s what’s really important. We (the fans) should not be interested in their personal lives. I personally love knowing about how they came out with certain songs, how was the recording process, what other musicians they were influenced by and much more about their careers instead of personal things that have nothing to do with their music.
That’s why I love Rick’s channel and the way he shares all his musical knowledge and that’s why he’s being very successful and great musicians love talking to him about music and all these legends follow his channel and there are others that would gladly accept to be interviewed by him.
Thank you so much, Rick
His voice is amazing, sounds as good now as ever, and just like his recordings. Unbelievable.
Michael's interview was mesmerizing.
I was shocked that he even knew about the Lemon Twigs! Excellent work Rick! A+
The payoff at the end, to hear that miraculous gift of a voice, made this worth it. Unbelievable.
Brilliant interview Rick…
Awesome interview! I feel a Donald Fagen interview coming!
I was lucky enough to meet Michael McDonald when he played here in Sydney a few years ago..let me hang out backstage in his room. So generous with his time & so down to earth. Absolute legend.
I could watch these kind of interviews ALL DAY everyday. From their own lips legends share their journey. So inspiring!
Wow…I just got whammed with the way art can sometimes unexpectedly MOVE you. That YOU DON'T KNOW ME made my eyes tear and run down my cheeks. So beautiful. That was a take, and possibly a single. Right at the edge of his limits really does deliver emotion.
This interview was fantastic. Mike McDonald is a great storyteller and so self-deprecating.
@rickbeato Thank you. These are great. I appreciate the deep dive interviews. Sometimes even two hours is short. @shawnryan has six hour interviews with living legends in the military space. Can you throw up a definition of some of the technical, industry lingo? Or make a separate video? Lingo such as "double" when Mr. McDonald was talking about his recording in "Peg" and trying to get the extra octave.
Fabulous interview! I was hoping he’d talk about collaborations with Kenny Loggins. Love both of them!
Absolutely fantastic interview…..I hope more will will help the channel so these continue.
Man this guys look like an old man since like 1983
Thank you SOOOOO much!! Just wonderful to hear the journey in a long form interview not interspersed with edits, narration, etc. just him, talking. ❤. Those songs!! Just classic, timeless, amazing! Love to her his humility about his behavior in the process and his wish to erase it, young musicians may learn from it. To play clips and have him explain the process. 🤯. Thank you!🙏🏽
Would love to see Janis Ian on the show. She is so underrated.
Awesome. What a talent and seemingly nice guy! Another winner, Rick!