RIP Ray Charles 1930-2004

[HankQuinlan]

I see tributes to Mr. Reagan posted here, as well as all over the media. A truly great American was lost today -- one who did not divide a nation along ideological lines, but who inspired and united the world with his music, his triumph over wrenching poverty and incredible hardship, and the joy and optimism he projected. Ray Charles was a great man; Ronald Reagan portrayed one. I think Mr. Charles should be receiving the State Funeral this week.

 

[Oberon]

I see tributes to Mr. Reagan posted here, as well as all over the media. A truly great American was lost today -- one who did not divide a nation along ideological lines, but who inspired and united the world with his music, his triumph over wrenching poverty and incredible hardship, and the joy and optimism he projected. Ray Charles was a great man; Ronald Reagan portrayed one. I think Mr. Charles should be receiving the State Funeral this week.

How true, blind by 7, orphan by 15 ..... hell of a live story, said he could do entire song arrangements note by note in his head...

Georgia, Georgia,
The whole day through
Just an old sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind

I'm say Georgia
Georgia
A song of you
Comes as sweet and clear
As moonlight through the pines

Other arms reach out to me
Other eyes smile tenderly
Still in peaceful dreams I see
The road leads back to you

I said Georgia,
Ooh Georgia, no peace I find
Just an old sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind

Other arms reach out to me
Other eyes smile tenderly
Still in peaceful dreams I see
The road leads back to you

Georgia,
Georgia,
No peace, no peace I find
Just this old, sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind

I said just an old sweet song,
Keeps Georgia on my mind


Oberon

 

[j1tanamera]

I wonder why all the good people are passing away, and all the scumbuckets get to live on...... hmmmm makes one wonder if that's a bad omen.....

 

[corbin241]

He was in one of my fave movies of all time ....The Blues Brothers......and in one of the best sences in that film...singing.............." Shake your tail feather "
He will be missed...

 

[OTR2]

I had just moved to the Island and heard that he was playing at the arena in Nanaimo. I thought "yeah right" must be one of those cover show's with the look alikes. Nope, it was Brother Ray, and an unforgettable evening.

 

[HankQuinlan]

One of my best concert memories was seeing the Ray Charles orchestra (complete with the Raelettes) in 1981, performing in an open-air amphitheatre on a hillside in Athens -- with the lit-up Parthenon as the backdrop. The Greeks were groovin'.

On a note more appropriate for this board, it is widely reported that if you wanted to be a Raelette, you had to pass the personal audition with Ray. That guy had fun, too...