The NYCB Theatre at Westbury will play host to Michael McDonald and Toto on Saturday, Aug. 17.
Distinctive and soulful, Michael McDonald’s instantly recognizable voice has earned him five Grammy Awards. From ‘70s-era Doobie Brothers classics such as “What A Fool Believes” and solo hits like “I Keep Forgettin’” and “Sweet Freedom” through his Grammy-nominated, platinum-selling Motown and Motown Two covers albums and recent guest spots with alternative bands Grizzly Bear and Holy Ghost, McDonald is that rare thing in contemporary pop – an artist whose work is both timeless and ever-evolving.
In the early ‘70s, McDonald was invited to join Steely Dan. Over the course of four classic albums, from Katy Lied to Gaucho, McDonald became an integral part of the group’s sound, singing background vocals on “Black Friday” and “Peg.” In the mid-‘70s, McDonald joined The Doobie Brothers, helping the band redefine their funky R&B sound as a singer, keyboardist and songwriter on such Top 40 singles as “What A Fool Believes,” “Takin’ It To The Streets,” “It Keeps You Runnin’,” and “Minute By Minute.”
McDonald’s voice can be heard on records by Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Joni Mitchell and many more. During the ‘80s and ‘90s, he enjoyed a successful solo career with evergreen hits like “I Keep Forgettin’,” “On My Own” (a duet with Patti LaBelle) and the Grammy-winning duet with James Ingram “Yah Mo B There.”
On the heels of his 2008 album “Soul Speak,” McDonald continues to tour the world, while moonlighting alongside cohorts Donald Fagen and Boz Scaggs with The Dukes Of September, an 11-piece soul supergroup. In May 2011, McDonald added one more feather in his cap when he received an honorary doctorate from Berklee School Of Music.
TOTO has sold over 30 million albums, powered by hits such as “Hold The Line,” “Africa,” “99,” “Make Believe,” and “I’ll Be Over You.” The band formed in 1976 by drummer Jeff Porcaro and keyboardist David Paich, two seasoned Los Angeles session musicians renowned for their work with Steely Dan and Boz Scaggs. TOTO added famed guitarist Steve Lukather, keyboardist Steve Porcaro, bassist David Hungate and Bobby Kimball on lead vocals. In 1982, TOTO released the iconic “TOTO IV.” The record exploded onto the charts, producing five hit singles, including “Rosanna” and “I Won’t Hold You Back,” and rocketed the band to international stardom.
While “TOTO IV” continued to sell millions of copies worldwide, TOTO reaped the benefits of their hard work and commercial success at the Grammy Awards in 1983, winning six different categories, including Album of the Year for “TOTO IV” and Record of the Year for “Rosanna.” The record also won awards for Producer of the Year and Best Engineered Recording, while “Rosanna” also earned Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocals and Best Vocal Arrangement.
Despite the worldwide commercial success of “TOTO IV,” the members of the band continued their session work, collaborating with Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson on the international hit “Thriller” and other artists such as Don Henley, Van Halen, Steely Dan, Boz Scaggs, Paul McCartney, Chicago, and Eric Clapton.
With over 30 years together and hundreds of credits and accolades to their names, TOTO remains one of the top selling tour acts in the world.
The show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $69.50, $49.50 and $39.50 plus applicable service charges and are available now online at www.ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or at the Westbury box office. Event, date and time are subject to change. For more information, visit: www.thetheatreatwestbury.com.
