Today is Michael McDonald’s 72nd birthday, so in celebration for today’s Forgotten 45 at 3:45, we go back to 1976 for the first Doobie Brothers hit sung by Michael, “Takin’ It to the Streets”.
Michael was invited by the Doobies to be a temporary fill-in for Tom Johnston in April 1975 when he became ill, it turned into a long-term stay to the benefit of the band and for Michael. He sang lead on several iconic Doobie Brothers songs like “Minute By Minute”, “Real Love” and their only #1 hit “What a Fool Believes”.
Of course Michael had success in his solo career and you’ll hear him on backing vocals for many songs by Toto, Christopher Cross, Kenny Loggins, and Steely Dan.
Happy Birthday Michael McDonald, I found a 2021 live performance of the band performing “Takin’ It To the Streets” today’s Forgotten 45.
