In 1980, McDonald was in this area, at Rupp arena, I think. He was staying at the Hilton I was at. He came up when I was working and looked at the set-up. It was a B-3, 147 RV with synth on top and a suitcase Rhodes at 90 degrees. He pointed at the piano ans asked if he could sit in. (Right....I REALLY had to think about that one!). He said "play your normal set". Played two complete sets, and never sang a note. He said he played, like 200 shows a year, with each set consisting of the same tunes in the same order. This was his way to recharge occasionally.
At heart, he was an old sideman and really enjoyed backing others (I really do, Too)!
Several years later, he was at the Merrick Inn. Looked at me and nodded. Don't know if he remembered me, bit all I had was my MS 60 and a Roland synth on top. No way for both of us to play. Plus, there were lots of drunks, and that's probably not what he wanted to do.
My all-time favorite is a live recording of him with a full orchestra doing Stevie Wonder's "All In Love is Fair".
Best version I ever heard.
One of the nicest, humblest and most talented musicians I ever met.
Class act, for sure.
Russ
Edited by captain Russ (03/23/20 11:09 AM)
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