Whoa. There I was, sitting on the piano bench as he played the hits he was involved in. "I know that song. And that one. I played that one on the radio when I was a DJ!" 

Because if it was a hit, there's a good chance Clarence McDonald had a couple hands in  it - on the keyboard or as producer. James Taylor's "How Sweet It Is," Seals & Crofts' "Summer Breeze," Hall & Oates' "Sara Smile," Bill Withers' "Lovely Day," The Emotions' "Best of My Love." Plus Ray Charles, Nancy Wilson, Erykah Badu, The Jackson 5, Barbra Streisand, Aretha ... just read the liner notes and you'll find his name all over the place.

Clarence, who passed away last year at the age of 76, was an early guest on Off-Ramp, and I caught him at exactly the right time. He'd had a lung cancer scare, had met the love of his life Susan, and was feeling like he oughta get out of his shell and share some of his knowledge ... gained from luminaries like legendary LA music teacher Alma Hightower and Eubie Blake. I was honored he trusted me with his story. 

These two interviews debuted in 2009, and there are more to come.

Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live; and bythe Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

Off-Ramp theme music by Fesliyan Studios.

When I interviewed Norman Lear for Veterans Day in 2019, I asked for dibs on his 100th birthday interview. He immediately agreed, looked skyward, and said, "Hear that God? I've got a commitment!" 

Then Covid-19 happened. So as Lear turns 100 (on July 27), we'll have to make do with a rerun ... but if anybody should be okay with a rerun, it's Norman Lear, creator of so many groundbreaking TV shows - like "All in the Family," "The Jeffersons," and "Maude" -- that helped America confront its demons.

But mostly, in this interview done for KPCC's Take Two show, we talked about America, the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and its promise of "the pursuit of happiness," and his service on a B-17 bomber in World War 2.

Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live; and bythe Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

Off-Ramp theme music by Fesliyan Studios.

Director Florian Gallenberger tells KPCC's John Rabe about making the award-winning film, "John Rabe."

Ashes of Oakridge

KPCC's Off-Ramp welcomes PBS's "This Old House" to Los Angeles. Norm and Kevin tell all to host John Rabe.

"John Rabe" director Florian Gallenberger in conversation with KPCC's John Rabe ... Puppet shows on the 405... Ellen Geer brings out religion, notorious Milady in adaptation of "Three Musketeers" at Theatricum Botanicum ...

This Old House finally comes to LA ... "Sister Carrie" too controversial, Theodore Dreiser was scandalous, too ... Harry Partch adds a bajillion notes to the scales ... Dinner Party Download's dinner with Wallace Shawn ... Skirball Center exhibits The Chosen albums ...

A money management class at a homeless shelter ... Jon Bon Jovi supports LAMP with a tour ... Russ Parsons: how to bbq without stress ... MUST READ: Ray Bradbury's "Dandelion Wine" ... Queena Kim says goodbye ... Lisa See on her latest: "Shanghai Girls" ... a violin master class with Jennifer Frautschi.

Joel Grey - a Broadway, Silver Screen, and TV triple threat - talking with KPCC's John Rabe about his almost 60 years in show business.

Actor and Director Joel Grey ... Shirley Jahad's EV diaries ... James Beard Foundation award winners Jonathan Gold and Colman Andrews ... Eat-LA, a guide to help you avoid "Food Panic" ... Dinner Party Download meets Marissa Silver ... Cabaret with The Brown Betties ...