Missouri man adopted as baby learns biological father is rock star Michael McDonald, tell me about this news today

A 58-year-old St. Louis, Missouri man named Michael Goessling recently discovered that his biological father is five-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and Doobie Brothers member Michael McDonald.

Goessling, who was placed for adoption as an infant and raised by Paul and Kay Goessling, had always known he was adopted. After taking a DNA test, he matched with a half-brother, which eventually led him to connect with and meet his biological mother on his 58th birthday.

Both McDonald and Goessling’s birth mother were only 14 years old when Goessling was conceived, and they placed him for adoption shortly after birth. Though they went their separate ways romantically, the two remained lifelong friends and frequently wondered throughout the decades how their son was doing.

When Goessling spoke with his biological father over the phone, the man mentioned he was a musician getting ready to tour through St. Louis. Putting the pieces together, Goessling asked, “Are you Michael McDonald?” to which McDonald replied, “Yeah, I’m afraid so”. Coincidentally, both share the first name Michael.

The two have since reunited in person, sharing an emotional first meeting. McDonald expressed immense relief knowing his son grew up in a loving home, saying he had carried guilt for years about how life had treated him. McDonald publicly credited the couple who raised Goessling, stating, “The real rock stars in this story are his adoptive parents”. The discovery also officially made McDonald a grandfather to Goessling’s two children.