“Prima Donna” Ray Charles Made President Wait at 2003 Correspondent’s Dinner

Posted in Badass | 0 comments

As ‘Washington’s Oscars’ approach, executive director of the White House Correspondents’ Association spoke with the National Journal, reflecting on curious moments in White House Correspondent’s Dinner.

The best dish?  Ray Charles:

NJ You’ve dealt with such comedians as Jon Stewart, Conan O’Brien, Jay Leno, and Al Franken, and singers Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles. Any personal favorites who were dreams to work with?

WHISTON The absolutely easiest person is Jay Leno. He comes into town. He decides to walk down Connecticut Avenue and look for McDonald’s for lunch. He is gracious with everybody that he sees who works at the hotel.

NJ How about the enter­tainers who challenged you?

WHISTON Ray Charles was the biggest prima donna of all time, God rest his soul. He could be very, very difficult. We had asked if he would do his famous version of “America the Beautiful.” He said he would do that only if we paid an additional $250,000—on top of what he was already being paid. We said, “No, thank you.” Then, we were running a little bit ahead of schedule. He was introduced, and he wasn’t coming on. So I walked around behind stage and said, “Oh, I’m sorry, this is your cue. We’re ready to go.” He asked his aide what time it was, and when he found it was seven minutes earlier than his contract stated, he refused and stood behind stage—and left our president, Bob Deans, up there trying to make jokes for seven minutes and left the president of the United States waiting for seven minutes. That’s the prize.

Video of the event, sans Charles.  Watch ‘em sweat and wait at 25:20.

qwer