What a Fool Believes: A Memoir

What a Fool Believes is an intimate and powerful memoir by Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Michael McDonald, written with his friend, actor and author Paul Reiser.

McDonald, whose soulful baritone shaped decades of American rock and R&B with hits like “What A Fool Believes,” “Takin’ It to the Streets,” and “I Keep Forgettin’,” recounts his journey from a high school dropout in Ferguson, Missouri, to one of the most distinctive voices in music.

He shares his rise through the 1970s California music scene, his time with Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers, and his success as a solo artist. Alongside stories of fame and collaboration with legends such as James Taylor, Ray Charles, Carly Simon, and Quincy Jones, McDonald offers a raw look at his personal struggles with insecurity, addiction, and self-discovery.

Ultimately, the memoir blends humor, honesty, and reflection—revealing the hard-earned lessons of a man whose life in music has been as turbulent as it has been extraordinary.