I got to observe Mike a little bit, never got to talk to him, I was working at a Hilton where the band stayed each summer when they played Pine Knob north of Detroit. I witnessed his interactions with staff, fans and even backstage, (one of the benefits of doing things for the road manager of the Doobies). Mike appeared to me to be a normal guy and just good person, I've seen many bands go through and you can tell you most of them were not as grounded or chill as he was.
Great interview. The interviewer knows his stuff and can really draw Michael McDonald out. Michael is so humble and comes across as grateful for these opportunities which is lovely and so amazing as he is so talented and his voice is just incredible.
The greatest backup singer get of all time. His magic has been part of the music of our lives. Just a beautiful, emotional voice. Classic singer and artist.
I found a Minute By Minute 1997 press CD from a private collector in mint condition. Selling the CD because he completed all of Michael Mcdonald vinyl releases. January 21st 2020 i will own Minute By Minute and i still can't believe i found that album for sale... Rare find.
That was months ago. Now i have Living On The Fault Line 1977 album . CD pressed in 1988. Slowly but surely I'll be completing everything by Doobie Brothers & Michael solo stuff from that same collector that doesn't need the CD versions.
Michael is such a humble man and so incredibly talented. Minute By Minute continues to be a great album decades after its debute. And the song Minute By Minute is IMHO one of the best songs Michael has ever sung. 😀
To even hear this interview humbles me. I can't hold a note in a bucket and Michael talks about musicians that have never played together hired out for a gig. Unbelievable talent Michael and can not thank you enough for how your music impacted me. I am part of a first response team that is hired to isolate electrical, mechanical, refractory, chemical failures before they happen. That plus a lot more requires doing a job where mistakes get you killed. I as a team leader am responsible for my team and I lead from the front. One example is working on live electrical when a mine was flooding. Pumps were down and the mine would fill. Working on live electrical standing in running water. My family would ask where I was going and when was I coming back and I had to say I don't know. It is protocol for me to get my music ready before we leave. My library includes your music as I think of my loves, my life as we get ready to do a job that has consequences if you mess up. Emotional sometimes and tears are shed, thank you as well as associates for the strength you gave me.
McDonald's got the voice, the look, grows a great beard (not that it matters anymore!), and even looks great grey! I just saw a recent video and he still got the voice!
In terms of pre and post McD Doobies, Tom Johnston was ALREADY into Motown before Mike arrived. Combined with bass player Tiran Porter's influence (he wass keen to expand the chords / funk beyond 'Rawhide') the band were starting to grow musically and develop a wider appeal. What Mike brought beyond his unique vocals (a Ray Charles / Gospel inspired black velvet) was a studio and writing discipline gained first from working as a side man to producer Rick Gerard and later as a junior band member with Don Fagen and Walt Becker in Steely Dan - arguably the pre-eminent song writing duo of the period. This allowed the Doobies to round off the rough edges and become more commercial. Some fans seem to view this as a crime that Mike is solely responsible for when actually it was just a great band developing as they do. Another key influence in that transition was Jeff ' Skunk' Baxter, another Dan alumni with a wide taste in music beyond country blues rock. You can talk roots / purist all day long but I am sure Pat and Tommy were pleased to have some bread on the table back in 73 after struggling to get mainstream air time for several years. If any member of the Doobs post McD wanted to make a country or bluegrass album they were free to do that, it wasn't a prison. Interestingly, none of them did. Even when they later reformed in the 90's. Without McD. On a lighter note, this is one of the best McD interviews caught on video as Mike is clear and bright - the preceding period between approx 1982 and 1992 he was struggling with drink and drug addiction* and would often ramble in interviews or lose his train of thought - his honest words, I'm a fan and glad to see him still singing today in 2017. * which is kind of ironic because thats why he was pulled into the Doobies early 70's after Tom Johnston collapsed mid tour of drug related exhaustion. Peace
I agree with you. McDonald was under tremendous pressure to recreate a big hit song after his success as a solo artist. I can understand how he needed an escape door and alcohol and drugs were within his grasp. I guess he went to a rehab. facility. Whatever he did, it worked. He is a really at peace now. At 71 years old, it is great to see him so relaxed and happy with his life. Doing the 50ieth concert tour with the Dobbie Bros. was the best reward he could have received.
Mcdonald is talking like he's just an average guy that walked in on 2 great bands and great musicians when he's probably more talented than all of them hahaha
I second that. Was at a music festival here in Dallas years ago. HUGE line up. probably 12 bands. The doobies were one of them. It was $20 to get in. I was reading the line up and asked my self speaking out loud "I wonder if Michael will be here". This back woods biker dude walked by and over heard me and yelled, "Not for 20 Dollars!". Haha!
To be honest, I didn't like the Doobie Bros.' music until McDonald showed up. I found the original DB music a little too much like too many country bands--and I like a lot of country music, they just weren't very distinctive. Until McDonald brought some funk and soul in.
