In 1984, Van Halen needed help writing a mega-hit. They called an unlikely 1970s rock legend

Van Halen brought in Doobie Brothers singer Michael McDonald to help complete the vocals for “I’ll Wait”, a synthesiser-led track on their 1984 album. The collaboration came as the band debated whether to include the song, which pushed beyond their established guitar-driven sound.

Producer Ted Templeman arranged McDonald’s involvement after David Lee Roth needed help with the vocal lines. Eddie Van Halen supported the keyboard-heavy direction, having built 5150 Studios to explore ideas like it; the article presents McDonald’s contribution as both practical help and support for the song’s place on the record. The supplied article text ends mid-sentence and does not give further details of McDonald’s work.