Tribute to Ray Charles in The Independant. (Read it if you can)

[mom cat]

The pioneering musician who eased the pain of depression at the piano
By Andrew Gumbel in Los Angeles
11 June 2004
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/story.jsp?story=530315

Ray Charles, the man credited with inventing American soul music with a series of landmark recordings blending gospel, jazz, country and blues, died at his California home last night surrounded by family and friends. He was 73.

He had been ill for some time. The cause of death was given as complications arising from liver disease.

Born into the most desperate Depression-era poverty and blind from the age of seven, Charles grew into one the most talented musicians of his generation, his infectious laugh and sunny demeanour belying a life story of extraordinary sadness and adversity.

He is now regarded as one of the most talented and influential American musicians of the 20th century, honoured with accolades to the very end. Just two months ago, in his last public appearance, his recording studio in Los Angeles was designated a historic landmark in a ceremony attended by the actor and jazz aficionado Clint Eastwood.

[NMDemDist2]

1. yes that was sad news today--- But deaths come in 3's-- whois next? eom

[Career Prole]

2. Robert Novak, from cirrhosis. N/T

[NMDemDist2]

6. you just wish hehehehe n/t

[Baclava]

3. Dead pool bet?

Who's next?

My fucking neighbor if he doesn't stop parking his car in front of my house.

[NMDemDist2]

5. ROFL---- yeah but will your neighbor make the national news? n/t

[DemoTex]

4. Came in four's for me this week.

An old high school chum died from complications that arose after an acute gastric attack from eating raw oysters (he was 57). He was medivaced to the big city hospital, where he died. Aviation old-timer Ernie Knight died at 97. Ernie hired me to pump gas, mow grass, and wash aeroplanes in the early 60s. My brother tonight made a comment about those four (Ronnie, Ray, Terry, and Ernie) lining up together before St. Peter. None or the four were, in retrospect, what Falwell tells us it takes to get into that shining city.

[NMDemDist2]

7. I'm sorry

hard to lose two friends in a week.