Michael McDonald and Boz Scaggs

It’s R&B and soul time for thousands of local music fans when R&B/soul singer and songwriter Michael McDonald performs back-to-back with rock and soul star Boz Scaggs in a major concert on Tuesday night (March 9) at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.

Billed as “Michael McDonald and Boz Scaggs Live In Manila!,” the musical presentation from Ovation Productions will take concertgoers to a new level of musical entertainment through a formidable array of R&B and soul music that only the two pop stars can provide.

It will showcase the perfect combination of the unique vocal qualities and exceptional styles of the two icons who have enriched contemporary music with their achievements as R&B, rock and soul singers, artists, performers and songwriters.

With their renowned individual talents and skills, they were credited for creating some of the most popular and most enduring hits in the R&B, rock and soul genres that have become favorites among millions in the past 40 years.

Michael McDonald is a brilliant American R&B/soul singer and songwriter whose husky, soulful baritone voice propelled him to the top as one of the most recognizable artists of the past 25 years and, perhaps, the greatest “blue-eyed soul” singer.

His ability to bridge rock, adult contemporary and soul through his uniquely recognizable voice made him a leading solo singer and backing vocalist during the laid-back California pop/rock era in the late ’70s.

After an impressive singing backup stint on several Steely Dan albums in the mid-’70s, McDonald joined the boogie rock band Doobie Brothers, during which he ushered in the group’s most successful period with such hits as “What A Fool Believes” (which won three Grammys), “Minute By Minute” and “Taking It To The Streets.”

At the same time, he performed as a session singer and piano player for artists like Christopher Cross, Jack Jones, Bonnie Raitt, Toto and Kenny Loggins.

As a solo artist starting in 1982 following the break-up of the Doobie Brothers, McDonald released his debut album, “If That’s What It Takes,” which climbed to No. 6 with the No. 4 single, “I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near),” which also crossed over into the R&B Top 10.

He scored another Top 20 pop hit (and a Top 10 R&B hit) in 1983 with his duet with James Ingram, “Yah Mo B There,” which won a Grammy. His 1986 duet with Patti LaBelle, “On My Own,” shot to No. 1, while “Sweet Freedom,” his theme for the Billy Crystal/Gregory Hines comedy, “Running Scared,” climbed into the Top 10.

In 1996, McDonald rejoined the Doobie Brothers and toured the oldies circuit with the group. The following year, he released “Blue Obsession,” his first album of new material in three years, followed by “In the Spirit: A Christmas Album” in 2001.

McDonald attained new heights of popularity with the 2002 release of “Motown,” his first major album in nearly a decade, which was followed two years later by a sequel, “Motown 2.”

Equally spectacular is the career of Boz Scaggs, who gained recognition in the mid-’70s as a slick, smooth pop/soul singer on the strength of his “Silk Degrees” album, the crowning glory of his 40 years of strong performance in the soul, rock and blues genres.

Featuring a smooth, slickly produced sound that many recall as being disco but more accurately anchored on the bridge between pop and soul, the album was a smash hit, anchored by the jazzy lead cut, “Lowdown.”

With one radio-friendly song after another, “Silk Degrees” was a virtual greatest hits album, staying near the top of the charts for over a year, powered by the hits “Lido Shuffle,” “What Can I Say?” and “It’s Over,” as well as terrific album cuts like “Georgia,” “We’re All Alone” (later remade in lesser fashion by Rita Coolidge) and “Harbor Lights.”

Scaggs’ 1980 album, “Middle Man,” scored another success with two singles, the rock-oriented “Breakdown Dead Ahead” and the smooth “Jojo.”

In 2004, he attained the distinction of becoming the one millionth ’70s rock star to record an album of jazz standards, “But Beautiful,” which topped the jazz charts and included a beautiful recording of Duke Ellington’s “Sophisticated Lady.”

“Michael McDonald and Boz Scaggs Live In Manila!” is sponsored by ETC Entertainment Channel, 2nd Avenue, Jack TV, Mercedes-Benz, Edsa Shangri-La Manila, RJ 100.3 FM, ABS-CBN and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

It is also supported by the Manila Bulletin, Philippine Star, BusinessWorld, Magic 89.9, 96.3 Easy Rock, Monster Radio RX 93.1, Wave 89.1, Jam 88.3, 90.7 Love Radio, 97.9 Home Radio, 105.1 FM Crossover, 99.3 FT, OptimaSignsolution and Focalcast Network.

Tickets are available at Ticketnet outlets at SM Department Stores.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on March 9 go to Rosemarie Gil, Dero Pedero, Philip Cuazon Sr., Virgilio Almario, Angeli Gonzales of Star Magic, Patrocinia “Pat” Picache, Ida Bata, Agnes Bantugan, Dr. Avenilo P. Aventura, Arielle Matias Pizarro, Atty. Zeny Alcantara, Peachy Buan, Michael Jay Foz, Queenie B. Naidas, and Dr. Rebecca Singson of Makati Medical Center and Asian Hospital. Happy wedding anniversary to Levy and Irene Banag.