What a Fool Believes: A Memoir

A sweeping and evocative memoir from the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Grammy Award–winning, platinum selling icon of blue-eyed soul Michael McDonald, written with his friend, Emmy Award–nominated actor, comedian, and #1 New York Times bestselling author Paul Reiser.

Doobie Brothers. Steely Dan. Chart topping soloist. Across a half-century of American music, Michael McDonald’s unmistakably smooth baritone voice defined an era of rock and r&b with hit records like “What A Fool Believes,” “Takin’ It to the Streets,” “I Keep Forgettin’,” “Peg,” “It Keeps You Running,” “You Belong to Me,” and “Yah Mo B There.”In his candid, freewheeling memoir, written with his friend, the Emmy Award-nominated actor and comedian Paul Reiser, Michael tells the story of his life and music. A high school dropout from Ferguson, Missouri, Michael chased his dreams in 1970’s California, a heady moment of rock opportunity and excess. As a rising session musician and backing vocalist, a series of encounters would send him on a wild ride around the world and to the heights of rock stardom—from joining Steely Dan and becoming a defining member of The Doobie Brothers to forging a path as a breakout solo R&B artist.Interwoven with the classic music, Michael tells a deeply affecting story of losing and finding himself as a man. Michael reckons with the unshakeable insecurities that drove him, the drug and alcohol addictions that plagued him, and the highs and lows of popularity. Along the way he relays the lessons he’s learned, and that if he’s learned anything at all it’s that there’s often little correlation between what you get and what you deserve.Filled with unbelievable stories and an incredible cast of characters—from Ray Charles, Carly Simon, and Kenny Logins to Quincy Jones, Randy Newman, and James Taylor—What a Fool Believes is a moving and entertaining memoir that is sure to be a classic.

About the Author

Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Michael McDonald’s career encompasses five Grammys, countless platinum hits, and chart successes. After being an integral part of Steely Dan, McDonald was invited to join the Doobie Brothers as the band redefined their sound with McDonald serving as singer, keyboardist, and songwriter on numerous Top 40 singles. Throughout the ’80s and ’90s McDonald’s solo career took off with a string of hits including “I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near),” “Sweet Freedom,” “On My Own” (with Patti LaBelle), and the Grammy-winning James Ingram duet “Yah Mo B There.” McDonald has performed with a who’s-who of critically acclaimed artists, including Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Joni Mitchell, Willie Nelson, Jackson Browne, Vince Gill, Grizzly Bear, Thundercat, and Solange Knowles.

Paul Reiser is a comedian, Emmy Award–nominated actor, screenwriter, and #1 New York Times bestselling author. Reiser has recently appeared in Netflix’s Stranger Things and The Kominsky Method as well as Hulu’s critically acclaimed comedy Reboot and Amazon’s The Boys. Reiser created and starred (along with Helen Hunt) in the long-running hit 90s comedy Mad About You and has appeared in classic films like Diner, Aliens, the Beverly Hills Cop franchise, and Whiplash. His latest film The Problem With People, which he wrote, starred in, and produced, is slated to be in theaters early 2024. As an author, Reiser’s New York Times bestselling books Couplehood, Babyhood, and Familyhood have sold millions of copies.