Michael McDonald Reflects on His Notorious Encounter With Ray Charles, Describing It as “One of the Most Difficult Moments” of His Life

The Explosive Confrontation Between Ray Charles and Michael McDonald

Steely Dan singer/songwriter Michael McDonald recently shared a shocking story about a heated exchange he had with the legendary Ray Charles over two decades ago. In 2000, McDonald was set to be honored at a tribute concert organized by the National Association of Music Merchants, with proceeds going to a charity program for public school music classes.

During a recent interview on the Broken Record Podcast, McDonald revealed that Ray Charles, one of his musical idols, was also scheduled to perform at the event. However, things took a turn for the worse when Charles apparently misunderstood the nature of the concert.

According to McDonald, Charles demanded to be paid for his performance just hours before the show was set to begin. Despite McDonald’s explanation that all proceeds were going to charity and he couldn’t pay any of the performers, Charles became increasingly agitated.

The situation escalated quickly, with Charles reportedly cursing and yelling at McDonald, disregarding his commitment to the other performers. Despite the tense confrontation, Charles ultimately performed at the charity concert without any further issues.

Reflecting on the incident, McDonald humorously recalled thinking, “Boy, if my friends in Ferguson could see me now, Ray Charles chewing my a** out.” The story serves as a reminder that even beloved musicians like Ray Charles can have their diva moments.

The exchange between McDonald and Charles may have been one of the worst moments in McDonald’s life, but it certainly makes for a captivating and unforgettable story in the world of music history.