We salute the stars on "This Day in Music History" ~ Feb 12th Michael McDonald, Steve Hackett, Brian Robertson

MICHAEL McDONALD

"Whats a Fool Believes", Doobie's #1 hit, 1980 Grammy Award Show

Happy 60th birthday to St. Louis' own Michael McDonald, five-time Grammy Award winning singer, songwriter and keyboardist. Michael was discovered while playing with a band called Blue, moved to LA in 1970 and got his break as becoming one of the studio session players for three of Steely Dan's albums before becoming part of Steely Dan's last touring band in the '70s, playing keyboards and doing backup vocals. 

 Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald and Steely Dan "Pretzel Logic"

In 1975, he was recruited to join the Doobie Brothers, Michael has recorded some of their most popular hits such as "Real Love", "Takin' It to the Streets", "It Keeps You Runnin'", "Minute by Minute" and "What a Fool Believes" which earned he and co-writer, Kenny Loggins, a 1980 Grammy for Song of the Year.

After the Doobies' first farewell tour, McDonald compiled some of his earlier songs in the 1982 release That Was Then: The Early Years. His first solo album, If That's What It Takes, (1982), featured this hit:

"I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)", Soundstage, 2003

"Yah Mo B There", a duet with James Ingram, won the 1985 Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. Michael's next major collaboration produced this #1 blockbuster hit in this romantic duet with Patti LaBelle, "On My Own" (1986):

 Michael McDonald Tribute Show, 2000, "On My Own" w/ Patti LaBelle

He continues to record with a variety of artists and in a variety of genres: Soul, Jazz, and Rock. McDonald also ocassionally reunites with the Doobies since their initial dissolution in 1982 and joins Steely Dan on tours, both as the opening act and as part of the band.

 Happy 60th, Michael

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Brian Robertson

Brian and Gary Moore, One Night in Dublin: A Tribute to Phil Lynott , 2005.

Happy 56th birthday to Brian Robertson, guitarist for Average White Band, Thin Lizzy, Wild Horses and Motorhead. 'Robbo' Robertson was born on this day in 1956 in Glasgow, Scotland. After his early classical training in piano and cello, he turned to rock 'n' roll and took up the guitar, bass guitar, drums and keyboards. After playing with his brother, Glen, in Dream Police, which became the Average White Band, Thin Lizzy was looking for a guitarist to replace the deceased Gary Moore. Robbo played with Lizzy from 1974-78 and played on Jailbreak (1976), Bad Reputation (1977) and Live and Dangerous (1978) which featured this, their highest charting single. Brian and Scott Gorham were quite a lead guitar duo. 

Thin Lizzy, "The Boys Are Back in Town", Rainbow Theater, 1978

After the Live and Dangerous tour, he left Lizzy and joined with ex-Rainbow bassist, Jimmy Bain, to form Wild Horses. When that didn't click, he replaced 'Fast' Eddie Clarke of Motorhead and recorded 'Another Perfect Day' (1983). 

"Shine", Brian w/ Lemmy and Motorhead, 1983

Brian kept moving. He then hooked up with his Glasgow mate, Frankie Miller, and recorded, the LP, Dancing in the Rain album. The next career phase were a series of collaborations with people like Shane MacGowan (The Pogues), Joe Strummer (The Clash) and Five Fifteen, a Lizzy-like band he recorded the album The Man Who Sold Himself (2004). He's even done some instructional blues guitar videos. His latest project was his first solo album, Diamonds and Dirt (2011) featuring Ian Haugland (Europe), Nalle Pahlsson (Treat), Leif Sundin (MSG) and Liny Wood. It was recorded in Stockholm.

Happy 56th, Brian