Great interview!... Michael re-joining The Doobies was one of the best things to happen in music in the last few years. Saw him with Chaka Khan. Awesome show!... I had the opportunity to meet Paul Reiser when I worked as a production assistant at the Emmy's in '95. I had a dream where Paul was a shoe salesman helping me try on a pair at a shoe store. He was in the lobby so introduced myself as a fan and told him about the dream lol. He said, "You know what that means, don't you?" "You're a very sick individual." I agreed and he signed my show program. Cool guy.
Thank you, Justin (and Paul!) guiding an interesting conversation. You actually got him to cover new anecdotes and more industry detail, including things not in the book. Most of Mike's interviews have retread the same ground without getting into the more recent, "inside baseball" about industry experiences, especially post-Doobie collaborations. I'm not a musician, but am genuinely interested in hearing more about his songwriting process, production, and live performance approaches. I have always wondered why he wasn't on We Are the World, considering who was in that session. I finally have an answer!
Great interview here.. these two were definitely meant to cross paths and create together. Michael is one of the most important session musicians to break through and rise into solo stardom that is so well deserved for his unique style and inspiration! Fun combo with these two.. 😂
I really enjoyed this interview, thank you so much. I am a huge fan of Michael Mcdonald, he and Paul get along so well together. I love seeing them interact.
Yes. He hired Jeff Porcaro for a New Years Eve gig, so later on Porcaro recommended Mike to Steely Dan when they started looking for a backup keyboard player and vocalist. Mike toured as a member Steely Dan for about 1.5 years, until Donald and Walter decided to change Steely Dan to a studio-only artist, and fired the live band which included Mike. Then they hired Mike for studio sessions. Anyway, you can find several great 1974 Steely Dan concert recordings on YT that include Mike.
Great interview!... Michael re-joining The Doobies was one of the best things to happen in music in the last few years. Saw him with Chaka Khan. Awesome show!... I had the opportunity to meet Paul Reiser when I worked as a production assistant at the Emmy's in '95. I had a dream where Paul was a shoe salesman helping me try on a pair at a shoe store. He was in the lobby so introduced myself as a fan and told him about the dream lol. He said, "You know what that means, don't you?" "You're a very sick individual." I agreed and he signed my show program. Cool guy.
This was much needed! Thanks 😊
Thank you, Justin (and Paul!) guiding an interesting conversation. You actually got him to cover new anecdotes and more industry detail, including things not in the book. Most of Mike's interviews have retread the same ground without getting into the more recent, "inside baseball" about industry experiences, especially post-Doobie collaborations. I'm not a musician, but am genuinely interested in hearing more about his songwriting process, production, and live performance approaches. I have always wondered why he wasn't on We Are the World, considering who was in that session. I finally have an answer!
Great interview here.. these two were definitely meant to cross paths and create together. Michael is one of the most important session musicians to break through and rise into solo stardom that is so well deserved for his unique style and inspiration! Fun combo with these two.. 😂
I really enjoyed this interview, thank you so much. I am a huge fan of Michael Mcdonald, he and Paul get along so well together. I love seeing them interact.
Marvelous interview. Just downloaded the book!
I was wondering when these two were getting back together
Mike was in Steely Dan??
He did session bkgd vocals on a few albums.
Yes. He hired Jeff Porcaro for a New Years Eve gig, so later on Porcaro recommended Mike to Steely Dan when they started looking for a backup keyboard player and vocalist. Mike toured as a member Steely Dan for about 1.5 years, until Donald and Walter decided to change Steely Dan to a studio-only artist, and fired the live band which included Mike. Then they hired Mike for studio sessions. Anyway, you can find several great 1974 Steely Dan concert recordings on YT that include Mike.
Great examples = Peg and Bad Sneakers. 🎉😊
Mike played in the original touring band for SD, and also sang on the records.
Damn straight he was!
Whoah, Tobias Funkë: that was an unfortunate phrasing about Ray Charles in the bathrobe 😂😬
I blue myself