A phone call reveals a rock star father
Michael McDonald, the Doobie Brothers singer, has made contact with his biological son, Michael Goessling, after nearly six decades apart. The two connected about a year and a half ago, according to NBC. Goessling, who is 59, was adopted as a baby and did not know his biological parents until last year, when a letter arrived saying they wanted to meet him. His first conversation with McDonald took place over the phone.[S1]
While they were talking, Goessling felt the voice was one he knew, yet he couldn't identify whose it was. He finally came out and asked if the person on the line was Michael McDonald, and the singer let out a laugh and said yes. McDonald also mentioned he was performing that evening at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheater. Goessling searched online and saw the Doobie Brothers listed at that venue for that night, which settled the matter.[S1]
A teenage adoption and a life of fame
At age 14, McDonald fathered a baby with a girl he was dating in middle school, and the two decided to give the child up for adoption. Later, McDonald took over from Tom Johnston as the Doobie Brothers' frontman. Over his career he has collected five Grammy Awards, and the group's chart success includes the Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper What A Fool Believes plus other top 10 entries like Real Love and The Doctor.[S1]
Goessling told NBC that he never harbored resentment toward his biological parents, who he says remain good friends, for placing him for adoption. He said he wanted to thank them for the choices they made on his behalf and for giving him a shot in this world, and he expressed how grateful he was. He added that they were always heroes in his story.[S1]
