Additional Coverage:
- Adopted man discovers Grammy winner and rock icon is his biological dad after DNA test (themirror.com)
Michael Goessling of Missouri has spent most of his life knowing he was adopted, but he never imagined discovering that his biological father is none other than Michael McDonald, the Grammy-winning singer and legendary voice of the Doobie Brothers.
Goessling, raised in St. Louis by Paul and Kay Goessling, learned the truth after a surprising DNA test taken by a half-brother he hadn’t known existed. His birth parents were just teenagers at the time of his conception, and he was placed for adoption as an infant.
The DNA connection led to a series of conversations, culminating in Goessling speaking directly with McDonald on his 58th birthday. During the call, McDonald mentioned he was preparing for a tour stop in St.
Louis, which immediately clicked for Goessling. When he asked, “Are you Michael McDonald?”
the singer replied, “Yeah, I’m afraid so.”
McDonald, 74, shared that he and Goessling’s birth mother have remained close friends over the years and often wondered about the son they gave up. Learning that Goessling was raised in a loving home brought McDonald a sense of relief, though he admitted to feelings of guilt for not knowing his son’s fate. He also acknowledged that, as a teenager, he was not in a position to provide the life Goessling’s adoptive parents gave him.
The two have since met in person, sharing a warm embrace and exchanging words of love. In a touching revelation, Goessling is now a father himself, making McDonald a grandfather. The musician expressed his admiration not only for his newfound family but especially for the adoptive parents who raised his son.
“The real rock stars in this story are his adoptive parents,” McDonald said.