Clarence McDonald: Instrumental Flashbacks of a Los Angeles Musician
Christina Chaffin
Clarence “Mac” McDonald is a composer, arranger, pianist and producer who said, “I love music because it’s new every day.” According to him, he has lived his life surrounded by music, playing piano on several singles and albums for Motown Records, and with groups and artists outside of Motown, including James Taylor, Bill Withers, Seals & Croft and The Memphis Horns.
McDonald is an original “LA Funk Brother” for Motown Records and said he appreciates the experiences he has undergone because they have each generated growth in his life. “There’s always something new to learn and a chance to express it through music,” he said. “The idea is to create music that makes people feel good and endures the test of time. If you do that, you’re doing a service to the music.” Clarence McDonald said he grew up with wonderful role models who inspired his love for music. According to him, his music teacher Alma Hightower was one of those role models. “We didn’t’ always have a lot of money growing up and she would say to my dad, ‘If you’re short on money, don’t let the kids miss their music lesson. We can take care of it later,’” McDonald said of Ms. Hightower. At the time, McDonald was a trombone player and spent time practicing with Hightower. (In addition to |
trombone, McDonald grew up playing the soprano saxophone, euphonium, sousaphone and piano). According to him, Hightower could play an array of instruments and was very patient with him and all of her students, including Jazz musicians Dexter Gordon and Chico Hamilton. McDonald said, “She remained a role model of mine because she helped him understand the power of music and the good it can bring to others.”
As a teenager, McDonald began playing music in nightclubs throughout Los Angeles, where he said he crafted his piano skills. By the mid 1960’s, his music career was “taking off,” but was said he was preparing for a separate mission: Vietnam War. In 1966, McDonald was drafted and sent to Vietnam. “It was an experience I am still recovering from,” McDonald said. When his time in the war ended, he received an Honorable Discharge. McDonald was awarded with a Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal.
As a teenager, McDonald began playing music in nightclubs throughout Los Angeles, where he said he crafted his piano skills. By the mid 1960’s, his music career was “taking off,” but was said he was preparing for a separate mission: Vietnam War. In 1966, McDonald was drafted and sent to Vietnam. “It was an experience I am still recovering from,” McDonald said. When his time in the war ended, he received an Honorable Discharge. McDonald was awarded with a Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal.
In 1968, when returning to Los Angeles from Vietnam, he picked up his career and began playing and creating music. When Motown arrived in Los Angeles, McDonald said he became “a regular” who recorded material for the Jackson 5, Brenda Holloway, Stacie Johnson, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Diana Ross and Gladys Knight & The Pips.
He recalled all that went into making some of the early Motown hits. “Motown was a combination of artists, writers, producers, engineers and more,” he said. “At a point, it is the artist, but everybody there was a part of what made the hit – from the guy who got the coffee, on up. Motown was this music machine because it was built from people who loved music.” |
McDonald said a lot of his Motown memories run together, but said he enjoyed his time there. According to him, one of the memories that made him laugh was a conversation he had with Michael Jackson in the studio.
“I remember Michael was so quiet as a kid,” McDonald said. “He was sensitive and quiet, so we would say to him, ‘Speak up, Michael. Make a little noise, let us know you mean it.’ He was so good with that voice, but just very quiet and difficult to hear.’”
Throughout his career, McDonald said he’s held the people who have motivated him close to his heart. According to him, one of those motivators was James Hubert Blake (Eubie Blake) – an American composer, lyricist and pianist who was born on February 7, 1887. “Eubie was amazing and so talented, and I just can’t express that enough.” McDonald said he has taken the inspiration he’s gathered from Blake, and carries it with him. According to McDonald, that inspiration helped strengthen his motivation toward making music and to continue teaching the lessons he’s learned about the value of music.
“I remember Michael was so quiet as a kid,” McDonald said. “He was sensitive and quiet, so we would say to him, ‘Speak up, Michael. Make a little noise, let us know you mean it.’ He was so good with that voice, but just very quiet and difficult to hear.’”
Throughout his career, McDonald said he’s held the people who have motivated him close to his heart. According to him, one of those motivators was James Hubert Blake (Eubie Blake) – an American composer, lyricist and pianist who was born on February 7, 1887. “Eubie was amazing and so talented, and I just can’t express that enough.” McDonald said he has taken the inspiration he’s gathered from Blake, and carries it with him. According to McDonald, that inspiration helped strengthen his motivation toward making music and to continue teaching the lessons he’s learned about the value of music.
“Most artists I encountered in the 1960’s and 1970’s were special because they were trying to express their journey -- their truth and continue growing,” McDonald said. "The industry was not focused on super stars or super musicians. There were just a lot of talented people trying to create something worthwhile, and when you had those people together, magic happened. That was the case with songs I recorded, including, ‘The Best Of My Love’ by The Emotions, ‘Summer Breeze’ by Seals & Crofts, ‘Lovely Day’ by Bill Withers, ‘Sara Smile’ by Hall & Oats, and ‘Your Smiling Face’ by James Taylor.”
McDonald’s track record in music is lengthy, but according to him, the projects he’s worked on weren’t based on the amount of money generated. He said his focus in music is to have fun and make the ‘feel-good music.’ “If it wasn’t fun, I promise you I didn’t do it,” he said. According to him, Motown sessions were an exciting part of his career, but a lot of his memories are with artists from other labels. McDonald worked with a slue of artists, including Cheech & Chong, Ella Fitzgerald, Tina Turner, |
Hall & Oats, Kenny Rogers, Nancy Wilson, The Whispers and Ray Charles – to name a few. (For a complete list, visit his official website www.clarencemcdonald.com).
Today, McDonald said he continues his love for music, with credits on various work, including projects with Jermaine Jackson and Justin Timberlake. He said he attributes his inspiration to his beloved wife, Susan and his dear friends. It is true that McDonald is a “LA Funk Brother” from Motown, but according to him, what runs the deepest is his love for life, family and music as a whole.
Clarence McDonald photo contributions to The Motown Vault
Today, McDonald said he continues his love for music, with credits on various work, including projects with Jermaine Jackson and Justin Timberlake. He said he attributes his inspiration to his beloved wife, Susan and his dear friends. It is true that McDonald is a “LA Funk Brother” from Motown, but according to him, what runs the deepest is his love for life, family and music as a whole.
Clarence McDonald photo contributions to The Motown Vault
Photos copyright: Clarence McDonald