MCDONALD PERFORMS NPR MUSIC
TINY DESK (HOME) CONCERT
JOINS THE DOOBIE BROTHERS IN THE
ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2020
Singer/songwriter and five-time Grammy Award winner Michael McDonald’s live rendition of the Marvin Gaye classic “What’s Going On” is premiering now at Rolling Stone; listen to the track at https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/michael-mcdonaldmarvin-gayes-whats-going-on-975861/ and share it at https://youtu.be/907tx2KqM2Y. Rolling Stone hails the track as “A soul classic remake that’s more than just a lazy retread…‘What’s Going On’ remains a pained cry over a world in tumult, but it’s now reborn for an even more challenging and dangerous point in history.”
“It’s uncanny and somewhat amazing how great songs or poems relevant to a specific time frame in which they’re written only seem to grow in their profound resonance with the years,” notes McDonald. “‘What’s Going On,’ written by the late, great Marvin Gaye, is one of those.
”Additionally, McDonald recently performed a Tiny Desk (Home) Concert for NPR Music; stream/share the performance at https://www.npr.org/2020/04/01/823928589/michael-mcdonald-tiny-desk-home-concert.
McDonald will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on November 7 as a member of the legendary group The Doobie Brothers alongside band mates Tom Johnston, Pat Simmons and John McFee.
“It’s been one of the great honors of my life to share the stage with all these guys over the years,” notes McDonald. “To see the band receive this honor is wonderful to say the least.
”Other non-active band members being inducted with The Doobie Brothers include Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, Tiran Porter, John Hartman, the late Michael Hossack and the late Keith Knudsen. This year marks The Doobie Brothers’ first appearance on the voting ballot.
Most recently, McDonald has completed an extensive U.S. tour with R&B legend Chaka Khan and released the holiday compilation Season of Peace: The Christmas Collection (out now via BMG) as well as a full-length album of new material—Wide Open—which received extensive critical praise from the Los Angeles Times, NPR Music, Pitchfork, Rolling Stone and many more.
McDonald celebrated the release of Wide Open with a pair of appearances on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” performing the album track “Find It In Your Heart” as well as collaborating with Thundercat and Kenny Loggins on the trio’s hit single “Show You The Way” from Thundercat’s critically acclaimed LP Drunk. McDonald was also featured on CBS “Sunday Morning” in the wake of the album’s release, watch the segment at http://cbsn.ws/2yTgJdN.
About Michael McDonald
With a career that encompasses five Grammys, numerous chart successes and personal and professional accolades, as well as collaborations with some of the world’s most prominent artists, Michael McDonald remains an enduring force in popular music. Hailing from St. Louis, McDonald arrived in Los Angeles in the early 1970s, honing his talents as a studio musician before becoming an integral part of Steely Dan. In the mid-’70s McDonald was invited to join the Doobie Brothers as the band redefined their sound with McDonald serving as singer, keyboardist and songwriter on such Top 40 singles as “Takin’ It To The Streets,” “It Keeps You Runnin’,” “Minute By Minute” and “What A Fool Believes.” Throughout the ’80s and ’90s McDonald’s solo career took off with a string of hits including “I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near),” “Sweet Freedom,” “On My Own” (with Patti LaBelle) and the Grammy-winning James Ingram duet “Yah Mo B There,” plus he co-wrote the Van Halen hit “I’ll Wait.” McDonald has performed with a who’s-who of critically acclaimed artists across a number of genres, including Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Joni Mitchell, Vince Gill and Grizzly Bear.
About The Doobie Brothers
For over four decades, The Doobie Brothers have been known for delivering mind-blowing, roots-based, harmony-laden, guitar-driven rock and roll, earning them induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class of 2020. Boasting one of the most loyal fan bases in music, selling more than 48 million albums and winning four Grammy Awards, The Doobie Brothers continue to write and record new material and tour the world. Their #1 singles “Black Water” and “What a Fool Believes,” both gold, lead a catalog of indelible songs that include “Listen to the Music,” “China Grove,” “Jesus Is Just All Right,” “Rockin’ Down the Highway,” “Long Train Runnin’,” “Take Me In Your Arms,” “Takin’ it to the Streets,” “Minute by Minute,” “You Belong to Me,” “The Doctor” and more. In all, the Doobies have tallied five top 10 singles and 16 top 40 hits. Beginning with their multi-million-selling sophomore collection Toulouse Street, the Doobies have three multi-platinum, seven platinum, and 14 Gold albums. Best of the Doobies has sold more than 12 million copies, a rare “diamond” record.
