mochalox said:

Thank you, mocha. I needed that.

Thanks for posting that article, VinaBlue. At the time I got the news it was about an hour after his death, so the press reports were minimal with regards to detail.

This man would be on any legitimate musical Mount Rushmore, if there were such a thing. Just as James Brown is The Flashpoint of Funk, Ray Charles is The Flashpoint of Soul.


Does anybody know how he died?

I will always associate my Grandmother with Ray. She told me how she went to his show when she was in her late 20's and ran down to the stage and plopped herself on his piano! The crowd loved it. She said he asked her what she looked liked and her response was "feel for yourself" - and he felt her face and told her she was fine. "I was the talk of the town!" she would say. HA! Go Grandma with your bad self! Now they are both in heaven and I hope she get's another turn on the piano

Much love and Godspeed to a great man.
[This message was edited Thu Jun 10 13:26:26 2004 by Kissmequick]

Oh my God, this is sad news. I've never seen him perform live and I always meant to but never did. I guess this just re-enforces the fact that everyone is getting older and if you really want to see someone before they pass, you better do it before it's too late.

Rest in Peace Mr. Charles.

Supernova said:

You're welcome Supernova.

The reports I've read say he died due to complications with liver disease.

I'm glad I found that article, because I feel like such a neener-head for not having his cds or knowing more about his life. Still, I was saddened by the news. Now reading this article gives me more insight into his life and I can't wait to see that movie about him that's coming out in October.
[This message was edited Thu Jun 10 15:33:10 2004 by VinaBlue]

This man would be on any legitimate musical Mount Rushmore, if there were such a thing. Just as James Brown is The Flashpoint of Funk, Ray Charles is The Flashpoint of Soul.

Supernova said:

That pretty much sums it up. RIP Ray.

Supernova said:

What a terrible loss for all true lovers of "real music by real musicians".


It doesn't get any realer than Ray.

tA

Tribal Disorder

Huge loss. To me the term "genius" these days is used to loosely and applied to too many performers. The term is more than fitting for Mr. Ray Charles.

Ray can now see again. He is bathed in onyx light, from the holy reaches of space. Angels rain down garland upon the golden streets. Ray is looking at a tree, contemplating the music in the roots. There is magic in the sing song of the majestic skys, as Ray goes up the purple stair, and disappears beyond the dawn into glory.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - Ray Charles (news), the Grammy-winning crooner credited with creating American soul music with a blend of gospel and blues in such crowd-pleasers as "What'd I Say" and "I Got A Woman" and heartfelt ballads like "Georgia on My Mind," died Thursday. He was 73.



Charles died at 11:35 a.m., surrounded by family and friends, said spokesman Jerry Digney.