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Adopted St. Louis man discovers his biological father is Michael McDonald
The St. Louis man recently discovered that his birth father is legendary singer and songwriter Michael McDonald, best known for his work with the Doobie Brothers and hits including “What a Fool Believes” and “I Keep Forgettin'.”
The discovery came decades after Goessling was adopted as an infant and raised by Paul and Kay Goessling in St. Louis.
“I could not pick two finer folks to raise me,” Goessling said, describing his childhood as a wonderful one.
The DNA Test That Changed Everything
Goessling had always wondered about his biological family, but the mystery began to unravel after one of McDonald's children took a 23andMe DNA test.
Within about 36 hours, the test revealed an unexpected connection: a man Goessling had never known existed appeared as his half-brother.
That discovery set the family search in motion.
On his 58th birthday, Goessling met his biological mother in person. He later spoke with his biological father by phone, initially without knowing exactly who he was.
“Are You Michael McDonald?”
During that conversation, Goessling asked his biological father what he did for a living.
The man explained that he was a musician and was preparing to tour through St. Louis that summer.
That's when Goessling asked the question that would change his life.
“Are you Michael McDonald?”
The answer came back: “Yeah, I’m afraid so.”
McDonald and Goessling's biological mother were both just 14 when Goessling was conceived. The two remained close friends over the years, even as their son grew up with another family.
An Emotional Reunion
The discovery eventually led to an in-person meeting between Goessling and McDonald.
When they saw each other for the first time, the reunion was emotional.
Goessling recalled that McDonald opened his arms, gave him a big hug and told him he loved him. Goessling told his biological father the same thing.
For McDonald, the reunion answered a question he had carried for decades: What happened to the son he had never known?
“We always talked about him,” McDonald said, explaining that he had wondered how life had treated his son.
Learning that Goessling had grown up happy and well cared for brought McDonald a sense of relief.
“The Real Rock Stars” Were His Adoptive Parents
McDonald was also quick to praise the couple who raised Goessling.
He said knowing his son had a good life — one he believed he could not have provided at that point in his own life — was a great reward.
He called Goessling's adoptive parents “the real rock stars in this story.”
Goessling has expressed the same appreciation, making clear that discovering his biological parents did not diminish the relationship he had with the people who raised him.
A Reunion That Made McDonald a Grandfather
The family discovery brought another surprise for McDonald: he is now a grandfather.
Goessling has children of his own, and McDonald said he is still getting used to the idea.
He also spoke warmly about his new daughter-in-law and grandchildren, saying he is incredibly proud of them.
After decades of wondering about his roots, Goessling now has something he never expected to find: not only the identity of his biological father, but a chance to build a relationship with him.
And in one remarkable twist, the man he discovered was not just any father — he was one of music's most recognizable voices.
Source: KMOV
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