Black History: Ray Charles Band Experiences Racism

Don Peake: I was honored to be included with these talented musicians. I just wanted to play my guitar.

Susan Cross: Were you treated differently by the band because you were white?

Don Peake: Some were more comfortable then others. Remember, Ray was blind so he made his decisions based on the music, not on a man's skin color. He liked my style.

Susan Cross: During the late 1950s and early 1960s, how did the color of your skin come into play while you were with the band?

Don Peake: Well, we had one incident when the bus was stopped by the police. A deputy boarded the bus and found me traveling with the black musicians -- black wasn't the word he used. Whites were not allowed to ride with blacks in those days; segregation was still a major issue, especially in the south.

Susan Cross: What happened when the deputy saw you?

Don Peake: He grabbed me and was going to remove me from the bus. He pointed at a tree and I thought I was going to be lynched right there.

Susan Cross: What prevented this from happening?

Don Peake: A few members of Ray's band had taken me under their wing. The one that stands out is a big guy; Leroy Cooper, the baritone sax player. He stood up and said that I wasn't a white man; I was mixed. After a lot of hollering I was left on the bus and the incident was over. I'll never forget it. It had never occurred to me that there was a problem. We were all musicians in the band and I thought I was just one of them. After that, I wore makeup so that I would appear to fit in with the group.

Susan Cross: Did you have any other experiences as a result of racism while in the band?

Don Peake: Yes, of course. Hotels in the south didn't allow blacks to come in the front door. I would go into the lobby and register for the group without any problem. Afterwards, the band would come in and were quickly pushed out the front and made to enter through the back door. I don't know what they would have done if I wasn't there to register at the hotels.

Susan Cross: Does it amaze you to see how this country has changed?

Don Peake: Not only is Ray Charles and his band now considered to be legendary but I have lived to see an African American become President of the United States! I would say that's amazing, wouldn't you?