Key Highlights
- Michael McDonald’s new memoir, What a Fool Believes, reveals tumultuous stories from his time with Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers.
- Details of McDonald’s and Walter Becker’s failed cocaine dealing venture highlight their wilder days.
- The memoir also touches on McDonald’s significant influence on The Doobie Brothers’ musical direction and his humorous acceptance of ‘yacht rock’.
(livesinsight.com) – For all its surface smoothness, yacht rock — and the artists who created it over the last few decades — can be turbulent below deck. Some of the musicians and singers associated with the genre (whether they want to be linked to it or not) can have dark sides, illicit pasts, insecurities, and surprising rock & roll antics sides. As he reveals in his new memoir, What a Fool Believes, no one encompasses that dichotomy quite like Michael McDonald. That gently huffing mellow voice and electric piano often hid a wild lifestyle, at least during his early, pre-sober days in the music business when he was a member of Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers. McDonald unpacks some of those stories in the book, cowritten with, of all people, comedian Paul Reiser.
Inside the Studio and Beyond with Steely Dan
Michael McDonald’s involvement with Steely Dan was more than just backing vocals; it was an era of intense creativity and wild exploits. Describing recording sessions, McDonald recalls the exacting standards and often brutal feedback from bandmates like Walter Becker. But it wasn’t just the music that tied them together. A risky side venture into cocaine dealing, meant to be a small operation among friends, ended up as a cautionary tale of excess. McDonald and Becker’s foray into drug dealing resulted in personal consumption that nearly ended disastrously, highlighting the often-hidden escapades of musicians during the 1970s rock scene.
The Doobie Brothers’ Tumultuous Transition
Michael McDonald’s entry into The Doobie Brothers marked a significant shift in the band’s sound and direction. His influence was pivotal, particularly with hits like What a Fool Believes. However, this transition was not without its conflicts. McDonald narrates the internal tensions and the eventual decision that led to a reshaping of the band, pushing it towards a more harmonious and unified future under his lead. This period was a testament to his assertiveness in steering the group through rocky waters, ensuring their legacy in the annals of rock music.
Laughing Along with Yacht Rock
The term ‘yacht rock’ might be a point of contention for some artists, but Michael McDonald embraces it with a light-hearted perspective. His memoir shares anecdotes that demonstrate his ability to laugh at himself and the situations he’s found himself in, including his portrayal in popular culture and interactions with other celebrities. This sense of humor not only endears him to fans but also helps to bridge the gap between the artist’s persona and his more personal experiences as depicted in the memoir.