What a Fool Believes: A Memoir

Reviews

1. 

   S.D.Young – July 27, 2024

   Excellent songwriter, excellent writer, excellent musican, excellent Dad.
   Ok, so I’ve been a fan of MM since I first heard “Taking it to the streets…” when I was in college in the winter of 1975 and thought “That’s the Doobies??? Where’s Tom and Pat? …That was almost 50 years ago. What DID hit me was that voice and that song…and I never looked back. I love his music and always have…he could sing a phone book and I’d call it a hit…so there’s that… I was blown away by that voice (and still am)….That said, this book is a must-read for anyone who is a fan or an amateur musician like me, who always wondered “What’s it like to climb to that level in the music business and how does it affect your “normal” life.His modesty, combined with a wicked mid-western dry wit and excellent story-telling makes this a MUST read….His story is heartwarming and something younger musicians can learn a lot from, i.e. He frequently describes his lucky breaks but the truth is, despite his self-professed shortcomings…as the saying goes, “Luck favors the prepared”….and he worked his ass off, whether he admits it or not.He is also painfully honest about the the challenges he’s overcome and the losses he’s dealt with which is extremely heartwarming and relatable. I am so glad I read this book, and glad he and Paul Reiser (an excellent author/actor/musician himself) put it together and published it. It’s such a gift. Buy it. Read it. and you will not be sorry you did. Thanks Mike.

2. 

   JL Populist – July 27, 2024

   From Sideman To Solo Artist
   What I appreciate the most about this book is the human side of Michael McDonald.He’s candid about his personal insecurities dating back to his childhood and his predisposition for chemical abuse. Your average fan would probably have no idea about his personal struggles.I found his musical journey to be entertaining and I really liked the stories about his career with Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers.The origin of popular songs and circumstances around them is always something I like a lot and Mr. McDonald shared that. “Takin’ It To The Streets” and “It Keeps You Runnin'” are just two of those songs. I didn’t know that he wrote them.As a fan of the Doobie Brothers music I always figured that Michael McDonald was detrimental to the survival of the band. Reading his side of the story explains what happened and I came away with the impression that he’s actually not a villain. He brought a lot to the band and without him some of the success might not have been there.The book is written well, engaging, humorous, and overall a great story!

3. 

   F. Diiorio – July 27, 2024

   What a great read!
   What a great read!! Brought it to Nantucket and read it in two days non-stop. It always amazes me to read what famous people go through and the odds they overcome. Especially when they make it all look so EASY!! This book had me in tears and laughing out loud!! And such nostalgia! So well written too! Love both Michael and Paul! Definitely recommend. (Going on my favorite books shelf)

4. 

   road warrior – July 27, 2024

   A memorable biography with great stories of his studio work with Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers
   Michael McDonald found his singing voice at a very young age. His memoir chronicles his salad days in LA after moving there from his home town of St Louis, MO. He describes luck breaks and the hard work he put into finding studio work in LA. His serendipitous meeting of legendary drummer Jeff Porcaro and later Jeff “Skunk” Baxter led to a long working relationship with Steely Dan as a back-up singer and early band touring band member. The detail in which he recounts all of the people he met in the record industry is fascinating and his drive to succeed as an A-List Artist and Musician is both inspirational and though provoking. Paul Reiser is the co-author of this book and he adds polish and style to this memoir. The stories as recalled by Mike are textbook life’s lessons about family, friends and the insecurities one has when being on the verge of breaking out as rock musician playing on hit records and performing at the most famous venues. Mike keeps it real by discussing the low points of his life and what he learned from other talented musicians and mentors he met along the way. This is an excellent book about life, growing up during the Vietnam War, Writer’s Block, and the process of writing and performing blockbuster hit songs in a group and as a break out solo artist. Well done Mike. You’re and inspiration to us all.

5. 

   The Cape – July 27, 2024

   If you enjoy Michael McDonald, you will surely enjoy insight into his life and fantastic career!
   I grew up around six blocks from Michael and about two blocks from North St. Louis’ City “Club Imperial,” below was a music store where I took lessons after bringing my guitar down behind me in my wagon, for it was too far to carry. Club Imperial was on the second floor. Unfortunately, I went for my lesson, and the store he music store was firebombed; an attack on “Club Imperial” wasn’t successful, but the music store was toast. My career was halted. Then Northland Shopping Center, Velvet Freeze (St. Louis Ice Cream), and EJ Korvette stores brought many memories of my youth. They are all gone. It was one tough neighborhood in the early seventies and a complete war zone now, but home. I was lucky and made it out, and I was about five years younger than Michael. I have enjoyed his Music since I first saw his name on that Steely Dan album. Years ago, he used to return and place and play in the Ferguson/Florissant days. I have an excellent bootleg copy of one of those concerts and have purchased everything Michael has recorded in about every form: album, cassette, CD, remaster, etc. One of the best entertainers of our generation. It’s a fantastic book; it is as honest and open as you would think he would be. Listen to the Music!

6. 

   Great book from one of the greatest singers to ever live – July 27, 2024

   Great book from one of the greatest singers of all time Mr Michael McDonald and the guy who sent Ellen Ripley and those colonial marines off to die on LV426…anyway, great read from beginning to end.

7. 

   Amazon Customer – July 27, 2024

   Biographie Rock a lire absolument. On connais tous les chansons et cette voix Soul…

8. 

   Michael Williams – July 27, 2024

   WHAT A FANTASTIC BOOK COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN READ IN TWO DAYS SO ENTERTAINING AND THOROUGHLY HONEST ABOUT HIS JOURNEY TO NOW WITH NO SUBJECTS HIDDEN. I LIKE HIM EVEN MORE AND HAVE BOUGHT SOME OF HIS BACK CATALOGUE I HADN’T GOT ALREADY. I WANT TO READ MORE ABOUT HIM NOW.

9. 

   Beep – July 27, 2024

   I’m a fan of musical bios and Michael McDonald’s work, so I preordered this memoir in anticipation. I had listened to and enjoyed several of the advance interviews that he and Paul Reiser did to promote the book, and couldn’t wait to dive in. However, upon finally being able to read it, I found that many of the colorful stories shared during the interviews fell short in the book; there was really not as much extra context or background given. The essential stories about young Michael’s stage debut, picking up (and nearly dropping) a pivotal gig for the Emergency! tv show cast party, the Steely Dan tour dates (the ballerinas, the hummus!) and more are without much additional color commentary whereas the stories are lively and humorous when told in person by McDonald. I really hoped the book would’ve been more in depth, not the other way around.The other problem, and arguably the biggest in my opinion, is that many of the chapters read in Reiser’s personal punchy, comedy set-up writing style as seen in his own books (Couplehood, Babyhood) and as a result, they come across with Reiser’s signature delivery instead of McDonald’s voice. Eventually I was able to settle in to McDonald’s voice, but not until I was at the midway point.My favorite parts were once McDonald gets into his career with Steely Dan, Doobies and his own solo and studio work. I love reading artist bios to pick up tidbits on how songs were written, albums were made and connections were cemented in music history, and the recent autobiographies by McDonald contemporaries Elton John and Toto’s Steve Lukather are stand outs in my mind. I wish there had been more industry insider kind of material here, but perhaps those details fell victim to the editor’s pen or else they are just vague recollections from the hazy, substance-fueled 1970s and 80s.Overall, I give What A Fool Believes 3.5 out of 5 stars, but rounding up to 4 because the final chapter has a beautiful closing paragraph, and I’m a sucker for a full-circle moment.