An adopted Missouri man has discovered his biological father is one of the Doobie Brothers. Michael Goessling of St. Louis learned that singer Michael McDonald was his long-lost dad after his (unknown at the time) half-brother took a DNA test. Goessling was later reunited with his birth parents, who conceived him when they were teens.
Here’s more from KMOV. (WATCH)
Michael Goessling always knew he was adopted, but imagine his surprise when he learned the identity of his father.
— Live Action (@LiveAction) October 1, 2026
Michael McDonald of the Doobie Brothers.
"When he first saw me, he put his arms out, gave me a big old bear hug and told me he loved me, and I told him the same."… pic.twitter.com/9OFDc0JutL
(post continues) Their reunion has introduced McDonald not only to his son, but also to grandchildren he never knew he had.
"What a gift... Adoption is a wonderful option."
The Grammy winner is a grandpa.
McDonald is no deadbeat father. In his young age, he was already takin’ it to the sheets. But what a fool conceives was wisely given away.
He was 14 and realized he wasn't yet equipped to be a father, so he and his partner chose to allow the child to be raised by loving, responsible parents. This is the best outcome given the situation. No bitterness, as it should be.
— Roger Martin (@RogerMa25433027) October 1, 2026
I always wondered about that. He talked in his memoir about having a child as a very young teen and then didn't say anything more. What a wonderful suprise!
— Beautyinnis 🇺🇸 (@beautyinnis) October 1, 2026
We love a story that ends on a high note.
Posters say the younger Michael could have just looked in a mirror to figure out who his famous father was.
Recommended
I mean didnt anyone ever tell the guy he was dead ringer for michael mcdonald?! Lol
— Dradrad (@Dradraddoc) October 1, 2026
They look about 8 years apart
— Curt Vodegah 🧠 👀 (@cungar2000) October 1, 2026
They look alike, but is that where the similarities end?
Commenters want to know if the son got his biological pop’s pipes.
Wondering if he’s got the musical gene?!
— Brian Hayes (@BrianHa84402559) October 1, 2026
Only one way to know for sure. Let's hear that falsetto.
— Friday (@FridayAfternoon) October 1, 2026
“Momma…why is my voice so soulful and sexy?”
— Scary Murphy (@BabyPeelSlip) October 1, 2026
Would be neat for the Michaels to recreate ‘On My Own’ sans Patti LaBelle.
McDonald has a history of doing backing vocals for other singers and bands. This story gives us an excuse to revisit one of our favorite comedy pieces about him lending his smooth voice to a Christopher Cross track. (WATCH)
Rick Moranis as Michael McDonald on SCTV kills me every time. pic.twitter.com/Zv02wxbrD6
— Danny Deraney (@DannyDeraney) August 16, 2022
Such a long way to goooooooo to find his biological father
— Mike Hochanadel (@hokey) October 1, 2026
See, there was a payoff.
Like a long-forgotten son, here's an excuse to play this semi-forgotten McDonald classic. (WATCH)
Michael McDonald - Sweet Freedom pic.twitter.com/l7sYz6meDl
— 𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓕𝓲𝓵𝓽𝓱𝔂 𝓐𝓷𝓲𝓶𝓪𝓵 💋 (@YouFlthyAnimal) September 3, 2025
Shine sweet freedom, swab for DNA
— Squat Cobbler (@squatcobbler25) October 1, 2026
We've got to set up the punchline. That song does not get enough airplay, though.
Posters have even more fun relating McDonald’s fatherhood to his musical history.
“You don’t know me, but I’m your FAAAAAATHERRRRRR…”
— Sideshow Bob (@lukewarmtallboy) October 1, 2026
He should have called him and sung "You don't know me but I'm your sonnnn unnn"
— Critical Chris (@criticalcarra) October 1, 2026
I keep
— Joel (@BKLYNJT) October 1, 2026
forgetting
you’re not my son anymoreeeeeee pic.twitter.com/YlUNlO44Nt
Asked why he didn’t introduce himself to his biological son earlier - McDonald responded “I keep forgettin”
— Kayfabe Jason (@jzzza) October 1, 2026
🎶🎶🎤🎤🎤 pic.twitter.com/UIifXEPm9I
— PixieGlam👑✊🏾🔥 (@BlackRoyalT) October 1, 2026
Now he knows why his name is Yachtrock McDonald
— Keith Maniac, from Guatemala (@from_maniac) October 1, 2026
That would have been a dead giveaway if it were true.