Wednesday, June 20, 2012

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Michael McDonald

Artist:Michael McDonald
Song:I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)
Album:Ultimate Collection





Michael McDonald started out as a session singer and became a star when he became lead singer of The Doobie Brothers on hits like What A Fool Believes. Then he went solo and I Keep Forgettin' was his biggest hit in 1982. He was born Feb. 12, 1952 in St. Louis and played in local bands as a teen. He moved to Los Angeles in 1970 and became a part of the local studio scene. He sang backup vocals and played piano for Steely Dan in 1975 and this led to McDonald joining The Doobie Brothers in 1976 when lead singer Tom Johnston became ill. McDonald was lead singer on their biggest hits including Taking It To The Streets and What A Fool Believes. So he toured with The Doobie Brothers and continued to play sessions until he signed a record deal with Warner Bros. If That's What It Takes was McDonald's 1982 solo debut and I'll Keep Forgettin' was the first single. It reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was a top ten R & B hit. McDonald wrote the song with Ed Sanford of The Sanford Townsend Band. When it was discovered to be similar to the 1962 Chuck Jackson hit I Keep Forgettin', the legendary songwriting team of Jerry Lieber & Mike Stoller were added to the credit. McDonald had a top twenty hit in 1983 with his duet with James Ingram Yah Mo Be There. And his duet with Patti LaBelle On My Own topped the charts in 1986. His only other top ten solo hit was Sweet Freedom from the 1986 film Running Scared. McDonald faded and left Warners in 1993. You can get all his hits including some Doobie Brothers songs on this Rhino comp. Michael McDonald signed with Motown in 2003 and has had success recording covers of Motown and other soul classics. He is currently on tour and has clearly embraced his status as a blue eyed soul nostalgia act. Here's the video for I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near) by Michael McDonald.

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