If there were a Hall of Fame for unique singers who are often imitated but never duplicated, Michael McDonald would undoubtedly be a top inductee. The legendary Doobie Brothers vocalist, known for his soulful hits like “What a Fool Believes” and “Minute by Minute,” has inspired countless parodies over the years, including memorable attempts by Jimmy Fallon, Justin Timberlake, and even Family Guy. However, the crown for the most entertaining impersonation goes to none other than Rick Moranis, who brilliantly spoofed McDonald in an iconic SCTV sketch during the early ’80s.
In a recent interview featured in Yacht Rock: A Dockumentary, which premiered on HBO on November 29 and is currently streaming on Max, McDonald, now 72, reminisces about that unforgettable parody. The documentary pays homage to the late ’70s and early ’80s music genre that blended soft rock, jazz, and R&B—an era that catapulted artists like Kenny Loggins, Toto, and McDonald into superstardom.
While sitting alongside fellow yacht rock icon Christopher Cross in the film, McDonald recalls the first time he encountered Moranis’s hilarious impersonation. “We were in some hotel, just sitting there, smoking a joint,” he shares with a chuckle. “In the middle of it, I just said, ‘I think I’ve got to go. I’m a little too high,’ and I went into my room.” Leaving the TV on as he entered his space, he was greeted by SCTV and initially thought he might be hallucinating.
“The whole time I was sitting there, I was going, ‘Is this really happening, or am I just losing it?’” he recalled with amusement. Years later, Moranis reached out to apologize for any offense his parody may have caused. McDonald responded positively: “Quite the opposite. I got a lot of mileage out of that.”
Interestingly enough, the term “yacht rock” wouldn’t be coined until more than two decades later with the launch of a web series called Yacht Rock in 2005. This mockumentary ran for five years and humorously depicted the lives of yacht rock legends like Loggins, Cross, and McDonald himself.
“My son couldn’t wait to show me this thing he found on the Internet,” McDonald said of the web series. “It was hysterical.” He acknowledged how uncanny it was that the creators captured personalities that had some basis in reality—whether they realized it or not. “I always thought it was kind of flattering to be made fun of because obviously it made an impression on somebody,” he added.
Kenny Loggins also appears in Yacht Rock: A Dockumentary and shared his initial feelings about the web series. “At first I felt a little insulted,” he admitted. “But then I began to see it was kind of an ass-backwards way to honor us.” He found humor in how they crafted an alternate-reality history around their music careers.
The documentary not only highlights the comedic aspects of yacht rock but also serves as a celebration of its enduring legacy. Michael McDonald’s contributions to music—both as a solo artist and as part of The Doobie Brothers—have left an indelible mark on popular culture.
With hits like “Takin’ It to the Streets,” “Minute by Minute,” and “What a Fool Believes,” McDonald’s soulful voice has resonated with audiences for decades. His journey from backing vocalist for Steely Dan to becoming one of yacht rock’s defining figures showcases his incredible talent and versatility.
As fans continue to celebrate his storied career through documentaries like Yacht Rock, Michael McDonald remains a beloved figure whose influence transcends generations. Whether through heartfelt ballads or lighthearted parodies, his legacy as an artist who cannot be replicated continues to shine brightly in the music industry.
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