Man, 58, stunned to discover biological father is rock legend after being put up for adoption as baby
A 58-year-old man was left stunned when he discovered the truth about his biological father.
Michael Goessling was put up for adoption when he was still just an infant, and said that while he 'always knew' that he had been adopted he was curious about the identity of his biological parents.
“Always knew I was adopted,” Goessling told KMOV St. Louis, and praised his adoptive parents Paul and Kay, saying: “I had a wonderful childhood. I could not have handpicked two finer folks to raise me.”
But his curiosity was further piqued when he took a DNA test, revealing that his biological father was none other than five-time Grammy Award winning musician Michael McDonald.
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A half brother of Michael's, who he wasn't even aware of, had taken a 23andMe DNA test, which then sent him a notification.
“Within 36 hours, he got an email notifying him: Michael Goessling, half-brother, St. Louis,” Goessling said. “And that’s how this all began.”
Goessling was soon able to connect with his birth mother, meeting her in person, and then spoke to his biological father by phone, asking what he did for work, being told that he was a musician and was touring in St Louis that very summer.
The 58-year-old recalled how he eventually dropped the inevitable question, saying: “And then I finally said, ‘Are you Michael McDonald?’” Goessling said. “And he said, ‘Yeah, I’m afraid so.’”
Goessling said it was pure coincidence that they share the same first name, saying: “I was unnamed, so it was my mom, Kay, who named me."
KMOV reported that both McDonald and Goessling’s mother were 14 years old when he was conceived, meaning he was put up for adoption. They have remained friends over the years.
McDonald has also opened up about finding out what had happened to his son, and paid tribute to Paul and Kay, who adopted Goessling.
“I always carried that guilt with me, but just to know that he was okay and that he had a good life, and a life certainly that I wouldn’t have been able to afford him at that time in my life, was a great reward," said McDonald.
"The real rock stars in this story for us are his adoptive parents, who really gave Michael everything a child needs in terms of love and security.”
After speaking over the phone at first, the father and son were reunited in person.
“He just put his arms out, just gave me a big old bear hug and told me he loved me, and I told him the same,” said Goessling.
Recalling the moment, McDonald said: “It was a wonderful, wonderful experience to see Michael and get to meet my son after all these years thinking about him."
As if that wasn't enough of a huge revelation for both men, McDonald also found out that he is a grandfather.
“Yeah, that’s still sinking in for me. What a gift,” McDonald said. “My daughter-in-law is just the daughter-in-law you’d hope for as a parent. And the kids are two of the greatest kids you’d ever meet. I’m just so proud of them.”
McDonald is known for his membership of the Doobie Brothers, and was also a member of Steely Dan.
Kit Roberts