Just because he was blind doesn't mean he wasn't an asshole!

@50gary

24 күн бұрын

Exactly, he's a lucky man and should realize that. How many blind folks don't have what god gave Ray Charles? He should be doubly charitable because he knows how bad things can be for people with disabilities. Bluegrass picker supreme "Doc" Watson also blind insisted on being paid prior to going on stage, No exceptions. I have no idea whether Doc played any benefits to free.

@mightymikethebear

22 күн бұрын

No it does not.

@johnwattdotca

15 күн бұрын

His female backup singers had to have sex with him to get the gig.

@MDG91960

8 күн бұрын

Good way of putting it. He was asshole!

Never meet your heroes.

@TheBuckRind

10 күн бұрын

Unless they were Dick Dale or Duane eddy. Both were truly good guys.

I worked for years with a respected audio engineer with decades of heavy concert experience, and he said Ray Charles was among the top 3 biggest pains in the ass of his 40-year career. Arrogant and entitled beyond belief.

I attended a Ray Charles concert in Corpus Christi a few decades ago. Ray Charles stopped the music in the middle of a song and chewed the guitar player out (over the microphone) for playing too loud. He told the guitar player "these people came to see me - not you!" in a very demeaning tone of voice. I'm a professional musician myself and I didn't notice that the guitar player was too loud. Maybe the monitor mix was messed up. Anyway, I have always idolized Ray Charles, but that incident kind of dulled my admiration for him. I thought it was very unprofessional of him to do that right in front of the crowd over the microphone. Anyway, the whole atmosphere seemed to change in the auditorium after that moment. I think everybody was as shocked as I was. Ray Charles was undoubtedly a genius in music, but I think he could have been a little more professional at that moment. Nuf said.

@philiphatfield5666

24 күн бұрын

Ray did the same thing at a concert I attended------but to a bass guitar player.

@benjaminhawthorne1969

20 күн бұрын

Possibly Corey Feldman learned Stagecraft from Ray. Corey regularly berates his colleagues over the microphone during his shows, making an unpleasant experience (his performance) even more so!

@StannisHarlock

17 күн бұрын

At hate to say it, but a.lot of beloved musicians are dictators at heart. When they've been stars for decades, or even those who have been stars for only a little while, if they start to think someone on stage is making them look bad somehow, things can get interesting.

@DippyHippie

14 күн бұрын

It’s unkind to speak badly about the dead! He can’t defend himself….shame on you!

@esparka

9 күн бұрын

I guarantee such leadership, from someone like Ray Charles who demands perfection for his audience, was born of experience. Sometimes, you have to get into that mic and you have to tell the person who’s screwing up to *straighten up!* Being Shy and being nice won’t get the job done. Myself, I could not do that on stage. That’s why the perfection in me has made it to where I just don’t like playing in groups anymore. There are many for-hire musicians available that, unless you put your foot down, they’ll do their little idiosyncrasies which detract from the perfection in big ways. It’s just not worth it to a perfectionist, who wants real music to come out. I might remind you folks that real music is quite rare to achieve….

Ray Charles could be extremely ill-tempered. There are tapes.

@rustybeltway2373

18 күн бұрын

Do the tapes rival the Buddy Rich or Paul Anka stuff? Cuz those are classics.

Ray Charles was a hater. Horrible person. Talented but not a good person by anyone's standards.

@jameskinchen2148

23 күн бұрын

I’m sure I would be too if all I could see was black.

@SuperFlanders123

20 күн бұрын

Yes,certain adjectives could describe him.

@eggomafia

15 күн бұрын

🎯🎯🎯

@mjnaz65

7 күн бұрын

Heroin addiction will do that. Even long after you've kicked the habit.

@mjnaz65

7 күн бұрын

He had a Biden moment

Jerry Lee Lewis said Ray Charles wasn't really blind. He said Charles used it as a way to get what he wanted - usually girls, but in the studio it was obvious he couldn't see well but he wasn't actually blind. Laughing about it Jerry Lee said "I'm telling you that motherf*cker could see."

@user-wk9wq8yq5u

20 күн бұрын

He was probably legally blind like Johnnie Winter. I also worked for a guy who was legally blind and you really couldn’t tell unless he or someone told you. People say the Stevie Wonder really isn’t blind either. The show must go on.😂

Ray should have read the contract closer.

@mikelenahan9253

24 күн бұрын

Yes he needed to read the fine print...........

@spasticnapjerk

23 күн бұрын

Have you seen his new piano?

@guitarcomet5

22 күн бұрын

I sold some sunglasses to Ray a few decades ago. He was a tough customer! He sent back the first pair, saying they weren’t dark enough.😊

@davidhopkins8094

19 күн бұрын

apparently he never saw it coming, ( rim shot )

@terryharrison5185

18 күн бұрын

😂😎

I guess RC graduated from the same band management university as James Brown.

@tyrone5360

2 күн бұрын

I read once that jb and rc had beef back in the 60's over who was going to headline shows.

You have to remember in what time and rough environment people like Ray Charles, Chuck Berry and James Brown came up. They had to fight and work for everything, not being able to make it without relentless gigging, recording, being difficult ego-maniacal, demanding, abusive perfectionists is what made them get to the top, and stay there for many decades.

@giovanna722

18 күн бұрын

They all could fight, too. Had to.

@EvanDahill

13 күн бұрын

Excellent point. You know the story of how Chuck Berry punched Keith Richard in the face out of anger. The irony is that these Black artists, who were treated like crap, took it out on those musicians who admired them and never abused them. Sad.

I knew both Ray Charles and even Chuck Berry I was one of the Bacot guys for Chuck Berry when he came into town and organized a few gigs back in the day for Ray. Both were pieces of crap as they got older… both had this I’m a big store and you will treat me as such…. Chuck Berry used to get paid in cash after his gigs and so many times he would take off before paying his back up guys.. I can recall he stiffed me three times… now. I can’t say that about Ray Charles. I don’t recall hearing anything about Ray not paying his guys.. but he was a prima donna…

@user-mo6tz6oh9i

12 күн бұрын

I heard James Brown did that to his band.

@EatAPeach72

Күн бұрын

@@user-mo6tz6oh9i No , James would fine his band members for mistakes

Mike got blindsided

While listening I was reminded of the lyrics from the song - Cover of the Rolling Stone by Dr. Hook Well, we're big rock singers We got golden fingers And we're loved everywhere we go (That sounds like us) We sing about beauty And we sing about truth At ten thousand dollars a show (Right!)

Definitely a major KAREN

Michael McDonald was a member of the DOOBIE BROS. for most of his professional career. I think most folks know him from that band. He was a member of STEELY DAN for only a short time. STEELY DAN was, at its' core, a two-man outfit consisting of Walter Becker and Donald Fagen.

@r3d5ive87

24 күн бұрын

He was never a member of steely Dan. Just a sideman like many others

@KevyNova

24 күн бұрын

Yeah, that caught me off guard when he called him the singer/songwriter for Steely Dan.

@ciarraibuzz

23 күн бұрын

He was well loved by the two heads of the Dan. He has had a lengthy solo career, lest we forget.

@benjaminhawthorne1969

23 күн бұрын

@@ciarraibuzz I heard that Steely Dan took their name from a chrome plated dildo. When you state that Steely Dan had two heads, does that qualify it as a "Double-Dong?" 🤭

@richarddevine205

23 күн бұрын

Thank you. I thought I had memories problems.

Ray Charles be like, "I'm an old man. If anyone needs charity it's me."

Sheesh, that is to bad, I love both of them and their music.Good video Bob.

Sounds like Ray Charles was the Buddy Rich of piano players.

@johnschaefer2238

14 күн бұрын

Kurtispopp ouch I know exactly what you meant y that comment. Check and check mate!

Is there anyone in the comments section who believes that the charity organizers didn't provide the Ray Charles organization all the pertinent details? What would you have to gain from blindsiding Ray and risking a lawsuit and bad publicity?

@jamesBrian-lu4kj

20 күн бұрын

Yes an important piece of information is missing in this story IMO...

Michael McDonald and Ray Charles didn’t see eye to eye.

I side 100% with Ray Charles on this issue. The man, the legend, shared his music as a professional. By definition, he expects to receive monetary compensation for his work, the same as any of you who are reading my comment expect when you are performing your careers. End of story. One lifetime, professional musician mentor of mine stated to me once that he had to hard rules as a pro violinist: 1 - *Never* miss a recurring annual gig performance. (You’ll lose that cash cow forever) 2 - *Never* perform a charity gig for free. (You’ll become known as someone willing to do such, & you’ll be hounded from then on.) Folks, he’ll play the charity gig, but pay the man, just as you paid the caterer & the venue fee.

I just read his autobiography, part of it was pretty interesting but i thought it fizzled out towards the 3/4 mark. Michael seems like a really nice guy

It must have been uncomfortable for Michael, who had no reason to believe money would have been an issue. It's ugly when you meet one of your idols, and they behave in a way that shatters your admiration and perception of them.

When I was playing music professionally, I heard from multiple cats in the know that RC was VERY rough on his band members throughout the years. For those not around back in the day, his public persona on TV, etc., was much different: all smiles, positive, "nice guy" image.

It sounds like Michael McDonald did his best to keep his kool & composure. I guess this story shows how either a misunderstanding or miscommunication can really mess some things up.

Ray Charles was a genius and national treasure. He wasn’t a saint and can’t defend himself now.

That was interesting, thanks for sharing.

Ray had decades of industry experience and knew the difference between a paying gig and a charity event. This was an attempted shakedown.

It seems like the fault there was probably on Ray's management for not telling him it was a charity show.

I would have just said “I’m a booooooooook-keeper’s son, I don’t wanna shoot no one…”

Ray was old school. Lots of musicians, especially black musicians from his generation, learned the hard way about getting stiffed on their pay with no recourse. Theat's why lots of musicians of that era adopted the rule of getting paid up front or they don't play at all. Ther's no way to really understand the experiences that have formed someone else's thinking. You can never judge another person until you've walked in their shoes.

@rustybeltway2373

18 күн бұрын

I've heard the stories about Chuck Berry. Brown paper bag money up front or no show.

I TOO think it's FUNNY!!!!!! I DO NOT think differently of Ray or Michael! The only person that MIGHT be at fault is the poor B@STARD that did NOT inform Ray that it was a FREE concert!

I think rays hard edge approach came to him early bc of his conditions and his coming up as a performer. Im not suprised to hear this.

@jamesdellaneve9005

22 күн бұрын

Yes. Can you imagine the crap he had to go through in the bad old days? But, still, as he got rich, he could’ve softened up. But he was street for sure.

Ray was such a fantastic musician but he was pretty well known for also being an asshole.

Wow 😢😢😢

Only adds to how I thought of both. Less of Ray, more of Michael.

Look for tapes on the famous drummer Buddy Rich cursing his band out. Crazy. Some of his rants go on for a long time.

You got to understand Charles is from the old school of getting ripped off; cash up front regardless. It is about survival and if you think Charles had millions at the time he didn't need the money then you have never been really poor.

@cliffordbowman6777

24 күн бұрын

Never really was a white man hating prick. Last 20 years has made go from a fan to an old man(white) that is sorry I’ve tried to make up for what I never did. Won’t happen again.

@RjBenjamin353

22 күн бұрын

A very good point

Michael McDonald reunited with the Doobie Brothers. MM sang with Christopher Cross, the late James Ingram, Patti Labelle, Toto. Late Ray Charles appeared in albums for Billy Joel and INXS.

Michael McDonald sang backup vocals for Steely Dan, but didn't write songs for them, and from all I can find, never sang lead vocals either. That said, he sang with them both in the studio and on tour, and greatly impressed Donald Fagen.

Michael McDonald has great hair!

Charles reportedly left $500,000 to each of his 12 children, and gave the rest of his estimated $75 million estate, and licensing rights to his music, to Ray Charles Enterprises. The foundation absorbed Ray Charles Enterprises after Charles' death.May 2, 2008

Charles, like many men of genius, was an insufferable narcissist.

Ray Charles died filthy rich and owning all of his master recordings because he always followed advice that his mother gave him which was " it never hurts to ask".. Great video! Thanks

He was only a background singer on a couple tunes in Steely Dan and was NOT a writer!

He knew it was a charity event...

Have y’all heard the tape of Ray’s guitar player going off on him during a show at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas? It’s priceless!😂 RAY, YOU A DOG‼️

Not a single Ray Charles' character defender in the comments. That says something.

I guess they didn’t see eye to eye. 🧔🏼‍♂️😎

@TmcIIIvideo

24 күн бұрын

Lmao…..🤣

@marlenepearson3936

24 күн бұрын

That's bad. 😂

Why did all performers except Ray Charles know they were going to perform in the charity event? There must be some miscommunications.

Whoever organized this dropped the ball. It was someone's responsibility to communicate the arrangement to the artists and clearly that did not happen. I can understand Ray being angry, this is their livelihood and they have band members and staff who depend on it too.

✌️✌️

I couldn’t believe Ray said Elvis was a punk 🫢

When ray quit the Junk he became a big a$$ hole

Very funny, but a little sad.

Heroin is a hell of a drug.

Lot of the old school stars had to be real tough, and mean, to survive in the music business. Even after they'd made it big, they'd still encounter grifters trying to rip them off. They needed to be the bigger tiger in those situations. Of course this wasn't happening here, but Ray might have been on auto pilot and made an assumption. But he did the show anyhow, so he was professional in that aspect.

I never even liked McDonald’s I prefer Burger King.

Ray Charles hated rap music! 😊😊😊😊😊 😯 😯 😯 😯 😯

We need to get you some special effects. Then you can avoid using such words. Perhaps someone else should have handled the situation. A few years earlier Ray Charles was part of We Are the World. I'm reminded of a story in Rhino's boxed set of Ray Charles. The author mentioned being in an elevator with him. But he got the impression that striking up a conversation wouldn't be wise. As for this case, the charity part should have been made clear from the onset. We've heard stories of artists getting ripped off for paid concerts. Sadly, some folks have stolen money from charity concerts.

Wonder what that sounded like. "Beh-beh boo-bah woo haw!"🧔 "You got the wrong one, baybay!" 😎

McDonald was never a 'true' member of Steely Dan (Becker & Fagan), and unfortunately for the Doobie Brothers, he ruined their sound.

@58BURST

24 күн бұрын

Took the words right out of my mouth!

@thejoyofthemusicinmylife7897

24 күн бұрын

I have to disagree, McDonald expanded their sound.

@ciarraibuzz

23 күн бұрын

He is one of the greats of the last 40 years. The Doobs loved him as did Becker and the other guys on Steely Dan. Great voice, very adequate keyboardist.

Love his music, but cant say I really know how he acts.

Ironic Ray used his age as an excuse to act like a brat. I always thought he could see, but sounds like maybe he was more blind than we all knew.

Michael McDonald has more talent in his little toe than Ray Charles ever thought he had blind or not! I used to respect him but after hearing him criticising Elvis Presley every chance he got i lost it! He was a heavy drug user and blew the bulk of his money on it. And if he thinks he should've been given pity because he was blind, I'm sorry but Stevie Wonder and Ronnie Milsap never expected it! There's a term for individuals like Ray Charles and I will let you figure that out, but he fits all the criteria! I normally show respect to the Dead, but in Ray Charles Particular case, he doesn't deserve it!

@M_Lev___

12 күн бұрын

I agree with you Bob. I lost a lot of respect for Ray Charles after I had learned that he had made negative comments about The King (Elvis).

When it comes to who's story or alibi is more credible, just remember that the deceased are never around to represent themselves.

I saw the Doobie Brothers in 1995.

@davidmcnair1455

19 күн бұрын

I read your statement just now.

🤷‍♀️

Ray Charles chewed his ass out? Good thing he wasn't talking to me because I would've told Ray "Don't give me any of your Chuck Berry business acumen (Chuck toured & wanted to be paid for everything, in cash, upfront & provide a backing band for him with various amenities). You gotta get paid something? It's a charity & if you're here & don't know that fact you'd better start talking & firing some of the people who work for you. Don't like the arrangement Mr. Charles pack up you're off the bill. It isn't going to sound nice to fans & donors that you skipped out on a charity event out of greed." Superstar or not, that's how you lasso an ego. And Ray has been known to be temperamental. What's the loss though? He'll never play the charity again? There are lots of big names that would take his place. I'd add this & put it on him: "So, tell me what you want to do, Ray -- there are only two agreeable paths. You play for the charity & we'll cut back your songs, or you can take your entourage & leave. I can't believe you're here in the flesh & was never told it's for a charity. There must have been papers to sign to volunteer your services & talent. That's on your people Ray." You can't pussyfoot with an artist like this -- he doesn't have carte blanche in a business arrangement -- but, you don't insult him -- you lay it out. Maybe he's unaware. But don't go into the conversation not knowing what the circumstances are. I find it hard to believe a legend like Ray Charles would show up & not know it's a charity event. Sounds dicey. As far as Michael McDonald goes -- this is what PR people are for Mike. Where is your PR person or business manager? They run the interference. This isn't your arena. If in fact, Ray Charles' people knew it was a charity. Did they? Now, if Ray's people were never told that, and never signed any agreements -- you need to investigate some unprofessionalism in your show's organizers -- maybe Ray's anger was justified. (This is my opinion but...I was an entertainment PR person for over a decade).

@thejoyofthemusicinmylife7897

24 күн бұрын

A lot of other artist who goes into this without knowing they were going to perform charity event then is informed about it later, their response would be cool. Anything for a good cause.

@steveclark8304

21 күн бұрын

I heard he also charged an extra $500 if the promoter couldn't supply a Fender 'Dual Showman' Amp. They were impossible to find, and Chuck knew it. He always dragged his 'Dual Showman' around, and pocketed an extra $500 every show.

Mitch Ryder might tell.you the same thing as Michael McDonald

At the end Ray stepped up,!

So the message is..if yr famous you can be am @sshole but if yr not famous you have to be nice, at all times. Got it and here was me thinking , we are all one and the same.

one of the worst moments of his life?? blimey!!

I wouldn't give him a pass, he was trying to scam as he always did. I never could stand ray charles.

Drugs do that to you ....unfortunately ....but predictable

Not a big deal.a old man being grumpy

ray charles, the black's black.

Never meet your Heroes. I worked security at a NYC hotel where Mike stayed at least once. The man is my Idol from childhood. We happened upon the up elevator at the same time, just him and me. I held the door for him, we got in. I used my override key to send us straight up, non stop to the penthouse on the 52nd floor. Internally I was freaking out. But not one word did I say to him. NO WAY was I gonna risk the possibility of irking him and literally ruining some of the greatest memories of my entire childhood. Sounds like Mike handled it like a champ. And Ray ? The Man is Royalty. Cats like him, Sinatra, Miles, Elvis, Sammy etc. You're "rollin' the dice' man, lol. You get what you get and that's life. At least it all ended well. Love 'em both.

He’s lying. Hates that. brother is more talented.

This is *double-hearsay* clickbait. It's essentially gossip. The prissy disclaimer about language was unnecessary but if your delicate sensibilities _require_ a virtue-signal you could have done something a little understated. As delivered it comes off as more "Hey, look at me!" than an honest cautionary notice. The subsequent *repetition* serves to confirm my point in an Elmer Fudd overwrought manner.

Ray Charles is NOT a rock n' roll legend, nor was he a performer in that genre of music.

@markstevens1729

22 күн бұрын

Virtually everyone from the early years of rock n’ roll cites Ray as a major influence. He showed how to expand the blues, used more interesting chords and patterns. His singing is also cited as inspiration for a TON of great singers. Thus a rock and roll legend.

@bobloblaw2958

22 күн бұрын

Naw, nobody listens to Ray Charles thinking, "now that's great rock and roll". Some rock stars are influenced by poetry, it don't make the poet a rock legend.

Warning, clickbait. I despise misleading titles like this. If you’re expecting a video of Michael MacDonald recalling something about Ray Charles , you will be greatly disappointed. It’s just some guy reading what MacDonald said. There is no video, just a couple pictures. Just awful. Please don’t have a channel if this is what you’re gonna do, please.

Well he said he's got to get something so that sounds like Ray did know it was for charity but changed his mind. These stars aren't gods & they can be pricks like anybody. If I was Mike I would of told him then Hit the road Jack.

And he hated Elvis! Implied ‘The King’ stole from ‘black music’ Big chip on his shoulder…..

What's with all the pissy hate comments, Ray's only human just like the rest of us & earned the right to act anyway he wanted to. You haters never got pissed in your life about something? And he did call himself an old man but to rub it in his face is another low blow from someone else. You will all be old someday too if your sorry asses make it that far. Ray, will always be a legend to me no matter what. None of us pathetic losers will never measure up to him. Like my late grandpa used to say, I'm surrounded by morons & boneheads.

@jlr022159

22 күн бұрын

It really had nothing to do with being old, Ray was such a great musician but he was also a jerk and that was pretty well known. Plain and simple he didn’t treat people right throughout his entire life. I still love the guy though, the best voice in the world and the way he played could just melt your heart.

Hey Michael pay the man for God's sake. I don't ANY other artist would be hurt or offended.

Ray charles had zero to do with rock n roll. He was 20 yrs before that. No rock n roll for ray

@otisdylan9532

24 күн бұрын

Rock n roll began about 1948, and Charles began shortly after that. Charles' most classic rock recordings were in the 2nd half of the '50s, contemporary with Elvis, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and others.

@hetmanjz

24 күн бұрын

20 years before that?? Yikes, you might need to leave this conversation to the adults 🤣🤣🤣

Ray was part of that era when the black artist were taken advantage of badly. I think it was just a culture clash, Ray gets a pass.

NO excuse for being a jerk.

The Doobie Brothers ended when Michael McDonald took over.

@jordand1345

24 күн бұрын

Good

@hetmanjz

24 күн бұрын

@williamwilson6499 Where'd you get a clown take like that??

@randie9480

2 күн бұрын

​@hetmanjz obviously you know nothing about music , bet you like Taylor swift

@hetmanjz

2 күн бұрын

@@randie9480 Wow, why would I need to like Taylor Swift to disagree with your shitty opinion? Such a boilerplate boomeresque comment, so lame.

Good on brother Ray, if your willing to play for free you will never get paid.

Pseudo soulful vocals? Michael McDonald? You better get to an ENT doctor. Get the hearing checked. How do you like being in the small minority that don't like McDonald? He is one of the best. He sings like he sings. Can you fake a voice like his. Give Ray a break? Give Michael a break!

I am not a McDonald fan. But Ray Charles had an edge, he hated Elvis Presley for instance. I thought may have called Michael on his pseudo Soulful vocals, which I never liked. Charles was a genius so let's give him a break.

@MIKECNW

24 күн бұрын

So we should give him a break for being an ass?

@user-wk9wq8yq5u

24 күн бұрын

I remember seeing that where Ray Charles made that comment about Elvis and the issue I had with was Ray was really a jazz musician. He was one of the founders of Bebop so I thought it was odd when it came to what he said about Elvis. Obviously Ray Charles went other genres and was very successful. I’m not an Elvis fanatic either.

@gaylanbishop1641

23 күн бұрын

It wasn’t a “diva moment” for Charles, and we don’t need to give him a pass. That was how he was all the time (I have knowledge from personal experience). Oh, and Macdonald’s depiction of the business manager is spot on too.

@bobloblaw2958

22 күн бұрын

He was talented for sure, but "genius" is an over used word anymore. Talent doesn't equal genius.

@gaylanbishop1641

22 күн бұрын

@@bobloblaw2958 very good observation

Typical… of the “culture…” which I’m fn sick of. 👎

How about you just play a clip instead of talking about it?