Ray Charles has died

[Fenris]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=638&ncid=762&e=1&u=/nm/20040610/en_nm/people_charles_dc


LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Ray Charles (news), who battled childhood poverty, blindness and heroin addiction to help create soul music and become one of America's most enduring musicians, died on Thursday at the age of 73, his spokesman said.



Charles died at 11:35 a.m. at his Beverly Hills home of complications of liver disease. Family members and his manager were present, said Jerry Digney, his longtime publicist.

[Mandate My Ass]

1. Oh no!

RIP :-(

[jono]

2. Oh no!

:(

Very sad day.

[kskiska]

3. Oh, that's too bad

I had the pleasure of seeing him do a mini-concert for Pepsi in Glendale, CA, a dozen years ago. He was a terrific performer.

[qanda]

4. NO, NO, NO

That's too sad!

[slinkerwink]

5. no...

:-( I really liked him when I was a kid. I loved him in those commercials---seemed like a really friendly guy :-(

[4_Legs_Good]

6. Gah! Noooooo!!!

That sucks hard.

Let me be the first to post - "it comes in threes". Who will be next?

Damn, farewell Mr. Charles.

/salute

[Eurobabe]

14. poppy's jumping out of an airplane on Sunday

for his 80th....

[4_Legs_Good]

41. Heh heh heh

I can't believe he's 80!

david

[Carolab]

84. They say death comes in threes

Makes you wanna go hmmm

[Carolab]

86. One of the few

who could make me cry. God bless, Ray.

[Beetwasher]

7. Man, That Get's Me Choked Up!

Now this is sad...

[TahitiNut]

113. Ditto

We were lucky to have his musical talents nurture us. He'll be missed. :(

[displacedtexan]

8. Really sad news!

Now he was an icon!

[Cocoa]

9. devastating news

he was the best

[West Coast Democrat]

10. So sad....and probably won't get much coverage....

next to St. Reagan's tomb visits

[4_Legs_Good]

Link...

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=501&e=4&u=/ap/20040610/ap_on_en_mu/obit_charles

Not much there, though.

david

[tridim]

11. Ray deserves a state funeral

I'm so sad. I'll be watching "The Blues Brothers" tonight.

[noahmijo]

12. Ray was cool

I remember laughing as a 10 year-old when Ray would come on with those diet pepsi commercials.

Coolest performance though: Owner of Ray's Music Exchange.

"1200 and it's yours. In fact I'll even throw in the black keys for free"

RIP buddy now he's jammin for the angels.

[playahata1]

63. "You got the right thang, Ba-bayyyyyyyyyy!"

:)

[hlthe2b]

13. Ray Charles? NO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now that's one that deserves our sadness of loss. Mr. Charles, you will be sorely missed in my household... RIP

[Carolina]

15. his was the best

rendition of America, the Beautiful ever.

RIP, Ray. We'll miss you.

[TLDHOME99]

yes, it really was

:cry:

[JM]

91. Agreed...I am not one for patriotic songs

but his rendition of America the Beautiful inspires...

He will be sorely missed. He was a great musician.

JM

[jus_the_facts]

141. Indeed....America The Beautiful was my favorite....

....RIP Ray...you're one of a kind! :loveya: :cry:

[psychopomp]

16. Good grief

I feel that he was a bright a light as anybody else walking...thank you, Mr. Charles, for the music!

Godspeed

[Screaming Lord Byron]

17. Shit. A Republican, but an honourable one.

He'll be missed.

[PDX Bara]

151. Republican?

Is this a known fact? Even if it is, he didn't cram it down our throats (that I know of) and he gave us so very much that will always be part of the American soul.

[Eurobabe]

18. just got a breaking news from BBC, its true

[kevinhnc]

19. I would have much rather had a week of Ray Charles' funeral

than Reagan's week.

Terrible news on top of the longest week of my life. :(

[Doosh]

20. He's done more for the people of this country than Reagan

RIP Ray Charles

[GermanDJ]

21. Oh no!

I think I have no words to describe how sad I'm feeling about this.
RIP, Charles!

You'll be remembered. My prayers go out to you.

[suedehead-nyc]

22. ..

he had a great. life.
and is much more worthy of praise than certain others....

rip!

[Fenris]

24. suedehead-nyc, your name kicks ass!

Welcome to DU!

[Screaming Lord Byron]

28. Why does he come here? And why does he hang around...oh?

I'm so sorry.

[Fenris]

31. He was a good lay.

Good lay.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

34. I'm so very sickened Oh, I am so sickened now

that we would do this in the middle of Ray Charles' death thread. Have we know shame! :evilgrin:

[Fenris]

38. Ray would have wanted it this way.

We carry on his legacy by keeping this post about music!

[suedehead-nyc]

51. thanks!

thank you! i absolutely LOVE that photo. one of my favorites.

hey how many replies do i have to make before i can actually post something new?

that is frustrating!

[Fenris]

53. I want to say 20 but I can't recall...

Might be lower.

[suedehead-nyc]

59. damn

i suppose its a good way to keep those who want to insult us and post their conservative rants away... unless said person has a ton of time on their hands.

[Fenris]

62. Some trolls have had over 1000 posts before they're found out

It's more sad than impressive.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

64. Yeah, watch out for a Troll called Fenris. He's the worst.

[Fenris]

68. Just for that, you get this...

[Screaming Lord Byron]

72. Why does Brian look quizzical?

Have you done something to displease Brian? Cower before the almighty Brian!

[Fenris]

74. Methinks someone hath stolen his lips!

I shall now lash myself as penance!

[Screaming Lord Byron]

79. I guess his lips are still attached to Reagan's ass.

[Fenris]

80. Or maybe Maggie's

;)

I'd hate to say where else they could be on Mags.

[SidDithers]

76. Ack! My Eyes! My eyes!!!

If I wanted to see Mulroney, I'd watch Reagan's funeral...

Sid :)

[ignatius]

23. A rainy night in Georgia for sure. RIP,Ray.

[Bandit]

25. The Blues will be sung tonight

An icon has passed on. My sympathies to his family and all his fans.

[dogman]

26. Now we have reason to mourn.

The passing of a truly great person.

[johnnie]

27. RIP Ray

[JitterbugPerfume]

32. My heart is broken

he was so precious

[crossroads]

124. He was the only one like him we had!!!

I feel awful...
:cry:

[happyending]

29. I can't stop

loving you.

[klook]

88. Beautiful

Among all the posts about Ray, yours is the one that brought tears to my eyes.
:toast:

[playahata1]

30. My brother, his best friend, and I recently had a debate over who was

the greater musician: Ray Charles or Stevie Wonder. I say RAY CHARLES, because he moved so smoothly and effortlessly among the genres: R&B, blues, jazz, gospel, soul, country, and pop. You could have, in that sense, called him a living, breathing, record store -- not unlike the one he owned in "The Blues Brothers."

Peace be upon you, Ray. Heaven is certainly missing an angel today.

[a_random_joel]

33. Crap.

RIP Ray Charles.

[Magleetis]

35. He is the real deal

I'm sorry that I will never see him in concert.

[proud2BlibKansan]

152. I was a huge fan until I saw him in concert

twice and he was a jerk to his band. Picked on one of the players to criticize his playing . Apparently, he did that often. I kept on loving his music but never wasted my money on seeing him in concert again.

[Ganja Ninja]

36. That Sucks!

At least now maybe we can watch and listen to some tributes for a great artist instead of a lousy president

[Catherine Vincent]

37. Sorry to hear that.

Rest in peace, Ray.

[madaboutharry]

39. Oh, I feel terrible

Now I am crying.

[m-jean03]

40. R.I.P. Mr. Charles

Sir, you will be a legend for all time .

[Amaya]

42. No way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I grew up listening to him (my mother is a huge fan). Oh Wow! This is just too sad :cry: :(

[TryingToWarnYou]

43. Man, if today hasnt been fucked up enough....

This totally sucks.

[Elidor]

44. A great entertainer

I had always hoped to see him live. :(

Time to go pop in his greatest hits CD and knock back a cold one.

Here's to you, Ray :toast:
You're the greatest

[Liberal Veteran]

45. Just an old sweet song keeps Georgia on my mind.

That song sung by him makes me homesick every time.

Rest In Peace, Mr. Charles.

[ochazuke]

46. Dare I say this?

First Reagan, now Ray Charles...

The blind leading the blind.

[qanda]

54. I had to laugh at that one

[sofa king]

58. Bwahahaha!

"Affluence separates people. Poverty knits 'em together." --Ray Charles

In at least one unusual way, it looks like Ray and Ron had more in common than I previously thought.

[GumboYaYa]

47. Now this is a tragic losss of a great American....

I'm listening to Ray right now (Basin Street Blues) and will for the rest of this week.

[rawstory]

48. Here's a LINK

Newsday via raw story: http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/music/sns-ap-obit-charles,0,6474726.story?coll=sns-ap-music-headlines

###
http://www.rawstory.com

[mom cat]

49. This is truly something to mourn. He touched the soul of the world.

[0007]

50. My deepest condolences and personal thoughts

The difference between Ray Charles and Ron Reagan is that one brought joy and life into life while the other created destruction and heartsick to the poor and unfortunates.

[molly]

52. RIP - he was terrific - I saw him at the Corestates

stadium a few years back. :cry:

[FleshCartoon]

55. For those who thought I was cold-hearted about Reagan...

...well, here's one I can't be cold-hearted about. But then, he never harmed me, my loved ones, or my country.

God bless, Mr. Charles. Bye-Bye Blackbird.

[cosmokramer]

56. Much sadder news than that of Reagan...

...what a tragic loss to creativity, inspiration, and the spirit of modern music.

I will miss that voice singing "America the Beautiful" at the DNC convention this year...

:(

[arwalden]

57. Very Sad... He'll Be Missed By Many

-- Allen

[fertilizeonarbusto]

60. Good night, sweet prince

and thanks for everything.:cry:

[Bertha Venation]

61. my sister is SOBBING at her desk in Santa Ana

:cry: and I'm so sad for her.

DAMMIT. He was her absolute favorite.

[flamingyouth]

65. RIP, Ray

:thumbsup:

[Individualist]

66. A tremendous loss

He was one of my all time favorite singers. :cry:

[RandomKoolzip]

67. Fuuuuuuck. No.

Dammit.


Now THIS is the guy who ought to have week-long coverage of his death all over the media. Ray truly deserved it, unlike that other recently deceased fella.

Now I must put on "Let's Go Get Stoned" in Ray's honor.....RIP, man.....

[laruemtt]

69. ah crap!

rest your soul, ray. thank you for the happiness you brought us here stuck on this planet for a while longer....

[illini]

70. He was one of the greats.

I will miss him.

[0rganism]

71. Ray Charles on the $10 bill!

Now that, I could get behind.

[WillyT]

103. I'll Second That !!!

A true American hero and a national treasure!

[bacchant]

73. What a drag!

This pretty much fucks my day.

[Solidarity]

81. One Of The Best

He was one of my favorites and will be missed by hundreds of millions of people all over the world.

[crossroads]

122. Yeah, it totally sucks...

g'bye great Soul... I will miss you!
:cry:

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

75. Too, too, too, too sad

Rest in peace, Ray Charles.

[GalleryGod]

77. Now THERE is a MAN who deserves a PARADE!

But on Bourbon Street,in the Big Easy.
'Night, Ray!O8) :toast:

[SidDithers]

78. Do the Mess Around...

to honour Ray.

Sid

[TheCentepedeShoes]

87. This is such

sad news. (tear drop) Mr. Charles will always be the greatest.

[Bo]

82. GODSPEED

He was one of a kind...i will miss him

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

83. I will sooo miss this man ....my boss even has Charles blaring out of his

office next door right now

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

85. He knew how to shake that thing...adios, amigo...

Another legend gone.

[playahata1]

89. Does anyone remember the "Cosby Show" episode years ago,

when the Huxtables lip-synched to Ray's "Night & Day"? That scene was a RIOT!

[peekaloo]

90. R.I.P. Brother Ray

[usg353d]

92. That sux!

Maybe it'll be a federal holiday.

[warrior1]

93. bless is heart

What a wonderful man. He gave us so much. He will be missed greatly.

[Rebel_with_a_cause]

94. Ray Charles influenced many, including Joe Cocker

What a life he had. I will miss him.

[mandyky]

95. NOW I'm in mourning

Ray Charles played at an event counting down the top 100 country songs and he lost track of the words as he played (about 3 weeks ago). I had been wondering about his health since then. Most popular performers including the Beattles, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton have all mentioned how much this man impressed them and influenced their work.
Today is truly a sad day without Ray Charles in it.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

96. No Ray, say it ain't so

My daughter was born in Georgia. We were just there because my husband was stationed there, we're not from there and we left as fast as we could (no offense). But the night she was born, I was lying in the hospital bed, listening to a little radio my husband brought up for me and they played "Georgia on My Mind" and I listened to that while I held my brand-new baby girl and I have always thought of that precious first night with her whenever I have heard Ray Charles sing that song.

Rest in Peace, Brother Ray. We love you.

[klook]

97. National Medal of Arts Winner, 1993

Also included in the National Millenium Time Capsule.



And in my ears, and heart, forever. Thanks, Ray.

[HerbieHeadhunter]

98. The Sun is Going to Shine Again.....

RIP Ray Charles.

Let's start a movement to rename Reagan International Airport to Ray Charles International Airport.

[klook]

99. YES!!

Hey, by the way, I like your user name. Is that a Herbie Hancock reference?

[HerbieHeadhunter]

112. Yep....

Herbie Hancock and the Headhunters.

Thanks!

[klook]

148. Cool!

I love Herbie both with and without the Headhunters. Great musicians!!

Welcome to DU!
:headbang:

[eeyore]

100. Thank you for the music Ray! You won't be forgotten!

Two of my all time favorite records are his.

Genius + Soul = Jazz
and
Modern Sounds In Country and Western Music

I'll be playing 'em all day for him.

[gatlingforme]

101. RIP Ray. Very Sad

[Burma Jones]

102. Rest Well

Thanks for everything

[benburch]

104. A man I will actually mourn.

Unlike some who have shrugged off their mortal coil recently.

[wicket]

105. NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

This is so sad :( God bless him...

[Window]

106. Rest In Peace, Ray...

While some in the the country mourn Reagan... I genuinely hope the passing of RAY CHARLES is not overwhelmed by that other passing.

Here was a man who gave us DECADES of music, offered us a true "Profile of Courage" thru those DECADES - and in the face of a life with obstacles so daunting they would have consumed most of us - growing up in the segregated south, blind, orphaned at 15...

...and yet he never had an ill word for anyone, never a complaint, and despite his hardships and humble beginnings never changed even after his success, and enveloped and embraced everyone he encountered in a way that was felt by millions more that he never met.

Triumph over adversity! That's the mark of an American!

Now contrast that to a self serving, narrow minded, ideologue who turned deaf ears on those whose plight did not concern him & his agenda and then had the gall to wrap himself in the flag and a smile while doing so.

The only adversity Reagan ever overcame was the bad reviews from his "B" movies. Perhaps that explains his famous lack of understanding and compassion for those who were not privileged to be born tall, white, handsome and male in a racist, sexist, homophobic America.

One man portrayed himself as a true American, the other man sang of the true "America"...

One man famously talked the talk... the other man famously walked the walk.

They can mourn their hero, I'll mourn mine!


REST IN PEACE, RAY...

God Bless You and may flights of angels SING thee to thy rest...

[KoKo]

107. This is too sad for words. I remember how he dissed Bush when he

he was asked to play at some 9/11 memorial or rally or something. It was so subtle but for his fans who know him it was a diss.

"I Can't Stop Loving You."

"Hit the Road, Jack"

"Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry"

So many...but those songs are one's that are burned in my brain from times in my life.

very sad...I didn't know he was ill. :cry: :grouphug:

[Ferretherder]

121. I am with you, KoKo01, about one song, for sure!

"I Can't Stop Loving You" may be one of my all time favorite songs......but only the Ray Charles version - after he sang that song, he friggin' OWNED IT!

The world lost a GIANT, today.

[WLKjr]

108. He will be missed

I like Ray's music, enjoyed his acts.

You don't have the opportunity often to see someone like this in your liftime.

Godspeed Ray and may you play beautiful music in heaven's band for all eternity.

You will be missed. Rest in peace my friend.

[Tellurian]

109. OH, NO!

I Loved Ray..

RIP the "Genius of Soul"!

When he sang "Georgia"...*sigh*



Great Article



nice pic with Willy & Quincy

[kodi]

110. God bless you, ray charles.

you brought a lot of happiness to this world and your passing saddens it today.

[robbedvoter]

111. Oh, no! That is someone I WILL miss!

[Tabucky]

114. terrible news

RIP

[Bluzmann57]

115. Very sad news indeed

RIP Mr. Charles. I, for one will NEVER EVER forget your beautiful rendition of "America the Beautiful" before the seventh game of the 2001 World Series, when we, as a country needed it most. What a great musician. He will be missed. This one's for you, sir.:toast:

[Leilani]

116. Oh, how sad!

I loved Ray Charles....saw him in person some years back in a club...
an intimate setting, with his huge band, & Raylettes...it was magic.
And Billy Preston was on organ.

His rendition of America the Beautiful was unbelievable!

Ironic he performed that song many times during the Reagan years...at the White House, etc.

But he sang that at Yankee Stadium during the World Series, right after 9/11. Unforgettable performance!!!

[Cooley Hurd]

117. I love Ray! This is soo sad...

My condolences to Ray's family - if the word "incomparable" fits any entertainer, it certainly fits the great Ray Charles. :cry:

[PopSixSquish]

118. And the Angels Rejoiced When They Saw Him Coming

Bless you Mr. Charles and you're wonderful music.

[OneBlueSky]

119. now we truly have someone to mourn this week . . .

Ray Charles was a true original, the embodiment of soul . . . he will be missed, but his music will live forever . . . rest in peace, Brother Ray . . .

[crossroads]

120. Now... I feel... grief...

I take comfort in knowing his music will live forever... that is a great legacy...
:cry:

[July]

123. Noooooo!!!!

[doc03]

125. One of the greatest entertainers and he gets upstaged by Saint Ronnie

Of all the thousands of shows he has done the one CNN can find is when he entertained for Saint Ronnie. Give me a f---ing break!

[Chico Man]

126. Tribute

[goclark]

127. Mr. Charles DESERVES a state funeral

It warmed my heart, through my tears, to read this thread.

My favorite song ..."The Long and Winding Road"
( if anyone knows how I can get a copy please let me know- it is beautiful)

He made the universe sing his songs and love his music.

I saw a preview of his life story,out this summer. You will love it!

There will NEVER be another Ray Charles

Rest in Peace my brother, Rest in Peace

[maddogesq]

128. I am taking this one extra hard.

This is the first tear I have shed for any reason all week. It's a lot of tears, actually.

His version of "America the Beautiful" always gets to me. The singer brings the true meaning of the song out. His musical gifts are too enormous to put into words; I would be doing him an injustice by even attempting it.

Peace Uncle Ray. We musicians left behind owe you more than you know.

[lindashaw]

129. We have all lost a tiny bit of ourselves with his passing. He touched

this world in a way that Reagan could never have imagined. How sad.

[Karenina]

130. Greenback

Greenback dollar bill...
Jus' a little piece o' paper
coated with chlorophyl..

The first RAP song I ever heard...

Rest in Peace, Ray. You are forever loved.

[tilsammans]

131. He will be missed . . .

This is so sad. I've been on the go all day and hadn't heard the news until I read it here now.

A true original . . . there will NEVER be another like Ray Charles.

R.I.P., Ray.

:cry:

[Tight_rope]

132. No!!!!!!!!!! Say it ain't so!!!

What a great man. He certainly did my good in the world then Reagan did. Ray will be greatly missed.

R.I.P. Ray Charles

[KeepHopeAlive]

133. What a loss

We were just listening to him the other day. This is really sad. :(
Rest in peace, Ray. You'll always be remembered.

[Crewleader]

134. Rest In Peace Ray

you will be missed! :-(

[XanaDUer]

135. I loved you Ray, RIP

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

This sucks.

[Name removed]

136. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[montana_hazeleyes]

137. I couldn't believe it when my son told me.

One of my daughters called crying. Beloved Ray Charles has touched generations the world over. A huge loss.:cry:

[dweller]

138. Ray Charles remembered by friends in the music industry

Patti LaBelle dropped to the ground and cried. Van Morrison began to sing "I Can't Stop
Loving You" in the middle of a London concert. And James Brown choked back tears while
saying, "I lost a brother."

The death of blues great Ray Charles Thursday dealt a crushing blow to his friends and admirers
in the music world and beyond.

"Ray was real. He was just real," said legendary jazz drummer Max Roach, 80, who performed
with Charles numerous times. "He did everything he wanted to do and he did it extremely well.
I'm going to miss him."

Former President Bill Clinton said he was "very grateful" to have had the chance to talk with
Charles just a few weeks ago. "Few artists have had a bigger impact on America's culture than
Ray Charles," said Clinton, who awarded Charles the National Medal of the Arts during his
presidency.

Soul singer Aretha Franklin said she was stunned to hear of Charles' death Thursday.


http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/nation/8893794.htm?1c


so long brother Ray, rest in Peace,
dp

[goforit]

139. Hat's off to yah, Ray!!!.................Thanks for all the good memories!

You were awesome!!!!

[minkyboodle]

140. RIP

A true giant has passed on. I have Birth of Soul in changer right now... I wish Ray got a week of remembrance like you know who did.

[Zomby Woof]

142. goodbye Brother Ray!

From Van Morrison, "These Dreams Of You"...

And Ray Charles was shot down
But he got up to do his best
A crowd of people gathered round
To the question answered "yes"
And you slapped me on the face
I turned around the other cheek
You couldn't really stand the pace
And I would never be so meek

[JI7]

143. this is surprising

i didn't know he was sick and last i saw him on tv he seemed just fine.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

144. He was the "REAL" National Treasure

He was a great ambassador for the United States to the world and made people aware that there ARE good and beautiful things that come from America. Here in California, I receive many foreign country programs via satellite dish and today I took note of how much this man was loved throughout the world. The French TV5 has been devoting a significant part of their news broadcasts to Ray Charles, stating that he appeared over 10,000 times on stage in his life. I'll miss him.

[sampsonblk]

145. America, America!

Praise God for sending us Ray Charles and his wonderful talent.

[Hobarticus]

146. "A Song for You" is one of my faves...

Played it today at work, and for once my office fell silent. Beautiful.

[fortyfeetunder]

147. my biggest regret

not going to see him the numerous times he's performed in Seattle. The last time I thought, oh I missed it, there will be another opportunity. RIP Ray, you brought such sweet music to our lives...

[Southpaw Bookworm]

149. Another reason to dislike the media

Here in DC last night, the local news pushed this to nearly the bottom of the newscast because it first had to cover all of the shit related to today's Reagasm, including what residents and businesses near the Cathedral thought about the security precautions, what the goombahs waiting in line thought about the death of this Great Man, what all 50 of the law enforcement agencies in DC had to say, what the soldiers who had to escort the corpse had to say, and even the fucking WEATHER to be expected. And then came the announcement about Ray Charles.

:grr:

And let me add one thing: This morning's weathercaster was all impressed by the fact that all of the sky-to-ground lightening strikes in the area yesterday afternoon missed DC proper, where all of those Patriots were waiting in line and could have been struck down had the storms passed over. Like it was a frickin' miracle.

:nuke:

[L.A.dweller]

150. Ray Charles was awesome

This is so sad

-God bless :cry:

[Seeking Serenity]

153. Tell ya mama, tell ya pa

I'm gonna send you back to Arkansas.

Being from Little Rock, I just had to throw that in.

RIP, Ray. You'll be missed.