Michael Goessling’s DNA Discovery Led Him to Rock Legend Michael McDonald

Updated 20:31 2 Oct 2026 GMT+1Published 16:23 2 Oct 2026 GMT+1

His father has won five Grammy awards

A 59-year-old man discovered by chance that his biological father was part of a band that has sold more than 48 million records.

Michael Goessling was put up for adoption when he was still just an infant, and said that while he 'always knew' that he had been adopted, he was curious about the identity of his biological parents.

Goessling, from St. Louis, Missouri, told KMOV: “I had a wonderful childhood." Of his adoptive parents Paul and Kay, he said: "I could not have handpicked two finer folks to raise me.”

But his curiosity was further piqued when he received a notification that a half-brother he wasn't even aware of had taken a 23andMe DNA test.

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It led him to discover that his biological father was none other than five-time Grammy Award-winning musician Michael McDonald.

McDonald is the lead singer of Californian rock band the Doobie Brothers, who scored number one hits in the US in the 1970s with 'What a Fool Believes' and 'Black Water'.

Michael Goessling (left) with Michael McDonald (KMOV)

Goessling told CNN: "I was a crazy Doobie Brothers fan and people remember me singing along to ‘China Grove’ and listening to their music like ‘Black Water’ back in the day. I was always a bit of a music nut and it’s starting to make sense nowadays.”

KMOV reported that both McDonald and Goessling’s mother were 14 years old when he was conceived, meaning he was put up for adoption. They have remained friends over the years.

Goessling was soon able to connect with his birth mother, meeting her in person, and then spoke to his biological father by phone, asking what he did for work, being told that he was a musician and was touring in St Louis that very summer.

The 58-year-old recalled how he eventually dropped the inevitable question, saying: “And then I finally said, ‘Are you Michael McDonald?’” Goessling said. “And he said, ‘Yeah, I’m afraid so.’”

Goessling said it was pure coincidence that they share the same first name, saying: “I was unnamed, so it was my mom, Kay, who named me."

McDonald has also opened up about finding out what had happened to his son, and paid tribute to Paul and Kay, who adopted Goessling.

“I always carried that guilt with me, but just to know that he was okay and that he had a good life, and a life certainly that I wouldn’t have been able to afford him at that time in my life, was a great reward," said McDonald.

"The real rock stars in this story for us are his adoptive parents, who really gave Michael everything a child needs in terms of love and security.”

Father and son were able to meet in person (Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Songwriters Hall Of Fame)

After speaking over the phone at first, the father and son were reunited in person.

“He just put his arms out, just gave me a big old bear hug and told me he loved me, and I told him the same,” said Goessling.

Recalling the moment, McDonald said: “It was a wonderful, wonderful experience to see Michael and get to meet my son after all these years thinking about him."

As if that wasn't enough of a huge revelation for both men, McDonald also found out that he is a grandfather.

“Yeah, that’s still sinking in for me. What a gift,” McDonald said. “My daughter-in-law is just the daughter-in-law you’d hope for as a parent. And the kids are two of the greatest kids you’d ever meet. I’m just so proud of them.”

McDonald is known for his membership of the Doobie Brothers, and was also a member of Steely Dan.

Featured Image Credit: KMOV

Topics: US News, Music, Celebrity