Singer Michael McDonald is touring this summer with the band Toto, and their next stop is Aug. 3 at the Tulalip Amphitheatre.
McDonald, 62, a five-time Grammy award winner, began his career singing back-up vocals with Steely Dan.
The soulful baritone was a member of the Doobie Brothers from 1976 to 1982. During these, years the band produced its greatest hits.
When he left, McDonald began a solo career as a songwriter, recording artist, session singer, piano player and duet partner for such musicians as Christopher Cross, Stephen Bishop, Jack Jones, Bonnie Raitt, Toto, Kenny Loggins, Carly Simon, James Ingram, Patti LaBelle, the Winans, Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin.
In 2009, McDonald appeared on the NBC-TV sitcom “30 Rock” as one of the benefit singers in the season finale. In other TV work, McDonald sang “Takin’ It to the Streets” on the final episode of ninth season of American Idol in 2010.
Earlier this year, McDonald reunited Donald Fagen (Steely Dan) and Boz Scaggs to bring back the Dukes of September, which performed in March at Lincoln Center in New York. They paid tribute to the rhythm and blues and soul music that inspired them in their careers and offered fresh performances of their old hits including “What a Fool Believes,” “Lido Shuffle” and “Reelin’ In the Years.”
The connections between Steely Dan, the Doobies, Boz Scaggs and Toto are many, primarily having to do with the side work these men did on each other’s albums.
The Grammy award-winning band Toto formed in the in the late 1970s. Its lineup has changed some over the years, but it still includes Steve Lukather, David Paich and Steve Porcaro.
Most of its hits were released in the 1980s. They include “Hold the Line,” “Rosanna” and “Africa.”
The band released 17 albums and to date has sold more than 35 million albums.
McDonald, Toto at Tulalip
Michael McDonald and Toto, 7 p.m. Aug. 3 at the Tulalip Amphitheatre, 10400 Quil Ceda Blvd. Ticket prices start at $60. Call 866-820-4553.
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