* INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * A sweeping and evocative memoir from the Rock & Roll Hall
of Famer Grammy Award–winning platinum selling singer-songwriter 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 unforgettable tales of the
music Michael tells a deeply affecting story of losing and finding himself as a man. He
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 a matchless
cast of music greats including James Taylor Ray Charles Carly Simon and Quincy Jones What a
Fool Believes is a moving and entertaining memoir that is sure to be a classic.
