Ralph MacDonald (15 March 1944 – 18 December 2011) was an American percussi… Read Full Bio ↴Ralph MacDonald (15 March 1944 – 18 December 2011) was an American percussionist, songwriter, musical arranger, record producer, steelpan virtuoso and philanthropist.
Ralph MacDonald was born in Harlem, New York, USA in 1944. As the son of Trinidad-immigrant and Calypso performer Macbeth The Great, Ralph grew up amidst the rise of Calypsonian revolution in New York City. The young boy was often placed playfully on his father's drums for a moment or two and, when he got older, MacDonald dreamed of someday achieving the regional success of his father.
At 17, Ralph helped a friend carry his steel drums into an audition for legendary performer Harry Belafonte. The friend got the gig, and MacDonald became a regular at rehearsals. When one of the players in Belafonte's Steel Band was late for a rehearsal, Ralph brashly declared his ability to play, and wound up getting the job.
Thus began a 10 year stint with Belafonte that schooled MacDonald in the music business. It also introduced him to songwriter Bill Salter, and the two began writing together to fill time on the road.
At one point, young MacDonald had the nerve to tell Harry Belafonte that despite all the gold records on the wall, Belafonte didn't really know what Calypso was. Belafonte said "Fine kid - if you know so much because your father was a Calypso singer, then you write me a song."
MacDonald delivered an album of songs: 1966's critically-acclaimed Calypso Carnival.
At 27, MacDonald, Bill Salter and William Eaton started their own publishing company, Antisia Music. Everyone told him he was crazy, but Ralph was determined to do it on his own. The partners opened a modest office in New York City and kept the door locked. When asked why, MacDonald explained that it was a publishing company, and that songs were meant to go out the door, not in. He gave himself two years to get the company going.
One year and eleven months later and wondering if Antisia Music would survive, Ralph happened to begin working with Roberta Flack. He and Salter had written a song called "Where Is The Love," and in a studio session, he pitched it to Roberta. She recorded it, and it went on to sell 10 million copies, earning Roberta and Donny Hathaway Grammys and firmly establishing Antisia Music.
From there the success kept on coming. Ralph began recording with legends like James Taylor, Billy Joel, Bette Midler, Diana Ross and Paul Simon. He and his partners wrote the Grover Washington, Jr. hit "Mr. Magic" and Antisia Music placed a song called "Calypso Breakdown" on the Bee Gees' Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. That album went on to sell 47 million copies and earned MacDonald two Grammys of his own, as a performer and a producer. Riding high on the disco craze, Ralph released two albums of his own, gaining commercial success and international recognition.
In 1980, Ralph wrote and produced Grover Washington, Jr.'s classic album Winelight. Among the MacDonald compositions were hits like "Winelight," "In The Name Of Love," and a song destined to become an American standard: "Just The Two Of Us." That song alone has been recorded by hundreds of artists worldwide, including Will Smith's 1999 adaptation of the song.
In recent years MacDonald spent his time writing and recording for Antisia Publishing when he wasn't out on the road touring with Jimmy Buffett & the Coral Reefer Band. He also released albums of smooth, percussive jazz and pop. Firmly established as a successful songwriter, a legendary percussion player, and an international star, it would seem that the kid from Harlem who dreamed of nothing more than achieving what his father had succeeded in a big way.
At 12:50 AM on Sunday, December 18, 2011, MacDonald died of lung cancer. His wife, Grace and their daughter, Nefra-Ann survive him.
Ralph MacDonald was born in Harlem, New York, USA in 1944. As the son of Trinidad-immigrant and Calypso performer Macbeth The Great, Ralph grew up amidst the rise of Calypsonian revolution in New York City. The young boy was often placed playfully on his father's drums for a moment or two and, when he got older, MacDonald dreamed of someday achieving the regional success of his father.
At 17, Ralph helped a friend carry his steel drums into an audition for legendary performer Harry Belafonte. The friend got the gig, and MacDonald became a regular at rehearsals. When one of the players in Belafonte's Steel Band was late for a rehearsal, Ralph brashly declared his ability to play, and wound up getting the job.
Thus began a 10 year stint with Belafonte that schooled MacDonald in the music business. It also introduced him to songwriter Bill Salter, and the two began writing together to fill time on the road.
At one point, young MacDonald had the nerve to tell Harry Belafonte that despite all the gold records on the wall, Belafonte didn't really know what Calypso was. Belafonte said "Fine kid - if you know so much because your father was a Calypso singer, then you write me a song."
MacDonald delivered an album of songs: 1966's critically-acclaimed Calypso Carnival.
At 27, MacDonald, Bill Salter and William Eaton started their own publishing company, Antisia Music. Everyone told him he was crazy, but Ralph was determined to do it on his own. The partners opened a modest office in New York City and kept the door locked. When asked why, MacDonald explained that it was a publishing company, and that songs were meant to go out the door, not in. He gave himself two years to get the company going.
One year and eleven months later and wondering if Antisia Music would survive, Ralph happened to begin working with Roberta Flack. He and Salter had written a song called "Where Is The Love," and in a studio session, he pitched it to Roberta. She recorded it, and it went on to sell 10 million copies, earning Roberta and Donny Hathaway Grammys and firmly establishing Antisia Music.
From there the success kept on coming. Ralph began recording with legends like James Taylor, Billy Joel, Bette Midler, Diana Ross and Paul Simon. He and his partners wrote the Grover Washington, Jr. hit "Mr. Magic" and Antisia Music placed a song called "Calypso Breakdown" on the Bee Gees' Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. That album went on to sell 47 million copies and earned MacDonald two Grammys of his own, as a performer and a producer. Riding high on the disco craze, Ralph released two albums of his own, gaining commercial success and international recognition.
In 1980, Ralph wrote and produced Grover Washington, Jr.'s classic album Winelight. Among the MacDonald compositions were hits like "Winelight," "In The Name Of Love," and a song destined to become an American standard: "Just The Two Of Us." That song alone has been recorded by hundreds of artists worldwide, including Will Smith's 1999 adaptation of the song.
In recent years MacDonald spent his time writing and recording for Antisia Publishing when he wasn't out on the road touring with Jimmy Buffett & the Coral Reefer Band. He also released albums of smooth, percussive jazz and pop. Firmly established as a successful songwriter, a legendary percussion player, and an international star, it would seem that the kid from Harlem who dreamed of nothing more than achieving what his father had succeeded in a big way.
At 12:50 AM on Sunday, December 18, 2011, MacDonald died of lung cancer. His wife, Grace and their daughter, Nefra-Ann survive him.
Calypso Path
Ralph MacDonald Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Ralph MacDonald:
In the Name of Love People try to create feelings just the same as love In…
JUST THE TWO OF US I see the crystal raindrops fall cnd the beauty of it…
Where Is the Love Where is the Love Where is the love? (Where is the…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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@RDavis-ps8ns
A true genius and musician. While reading numerous artist album covers i have discovered that Ralph McDonald was their featured percussionist. From Donny Hathaway to Grover Washington Jr. and the Queen of soul Ms. Aretha Franklin. Ralph McDonald deserves to be inducted into the Music Hall of Fame. The Path album truly takes you on a trip from Africa to the streets of NYC jams in the parks. Rock on Ralph forever.
@Squirrelconga
Yep! Ralph and Lenny Castro are prob the two most recorded percussionists. Just mind boggling! 🤯
@wickedgf
@@Squirrelconga Top 2 recorded might be Ralph & Bashiri Johnson!
@robertmartin143
when I first started learning how to play congas, this was the man I was imulating. I wore this album out. This was in 1978. Now in 2018, I still love album, and play this style.
@Squirrelconga
Would 💜 to hear/see some your playing, man!
Where ya located?
@whodhavethoughtit3784
Me too! In 1978! Also Mazacote,and Babatunde olatunji...
Keep on keeping on!!!
@avigrett1484
Musical chronology of the journey of a people into slavery from a village festival and incantations to lamentations in Africa , mid passage ,the Caribbean and finally to North America ,the fight for freedom and more lamentations and Nostalgia for the Homeland and eventual return to the homeland. This is pure poetry.This is a musical odyssey.
@mkaijewett
Ase OOOO!
@Auntkekebaby
Yes. A BEAUTIFUL piece. Masterpiece ❤❤
@TheFlyingZephyr
Is it weird that I was listening to this when everybody else was listening to the Bee Gees? I couldn't get enough, it would always put me in the happiest trance.