Mr. Ray Charles has died
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Ray Charles dies at 73
"BEVERLY HILLS, California (AP) -- Ray Charles, the Grammy-winning crooner who blended gospel and blues in such crowd-pleasers as "What'd I Say" and heartfelt ballads like "Georgia on My Mind," died Thursday, a spokesman said. He was 73.

Charles died at his Beverly Hills home surrounded by family and friends, said spokesman Jerry Digney."
http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/Music/06/10/obit.ray.charles.ap/index.html
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My sincerest condolences to his family, friends, and fans.
You will be missed Ray.

RIP...the one, the only, Ray Charles.

Now this is the man who face should grace the $10 bill.

How did he do it? How many other singers could reach inside you and grab your heart, your gut, like Bro Ray? Amazing. But we have the recordings, always to be treasured. What a legacy.

Beat me to it, Code. You're quick.

Anyway, this is a very sad day now. This was one of the greatest musical artists in history. Even at 73, he died too young.

Listen to "We are the World". They all sound like amateurs until Ray starts singing.

Not much gets by Code.

Ray Charles is the only musician who made "Stella by Starlight" sound soulful, a testement to his brilliance.

it's a sad day

Rest in Peace brother Ray.

Thank you for all the wonderful music.

You always gave 100%.

here's to you Ray!!!!!!here's to you.

umm.. who was the artist who was getting all those assault charges?

really, when I read the name, I thought of those. Was it him or somebody else?

I remember seeing Ray at the Newport Jazz Festival 4 or 5 times back in
the 80's. The announcer would announce : " Mr. Raaaaay Charles ! "
then the audience : Raaaaaayyy Charles !
announcer : Raaayyyyy Charles !!
then the audience (everybody) : Raaaaayyyyyyy Charles !!!
announcer : Raaaaayyyyyyy Charles !!
audience (everybody on their feet) : Raaaaaayyyyyyyy Charles !!!

this went on for 20 minutes

then he would come out and blow the audience away

BB King, Aretha Franklin and so many others were great but Ray ruled.

Kinda odd that this song was banned from the radio back in the 50's for
the ooohs and ahhhs when today, so called artists totally devoid of any
musical talent whatsoever are paid millions for nothing but ooooohs and
ahhhhhhs.

so it goes.

break a leg Britney and rest in peace Ray Robinson. You will be missed.

the song is "What'd I Say"

First Barry White leaves us, then Ray Charles, yet this talentless William Hung guy is still clinging to his undeserved 15 minutes of fame.

What kind of god would allow this injustice to continue???

Tasadar24: I think you're referring to the "Godfather of Soul", James Brown.
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/mugshots/jbrownmug1.html

What'd I Say - that song rules.

Gonna miss ya Ray.

How come the band from beyond only keeps getting better?

Shmoo

Thanks Brother Ray, RIP.

The other injustice? That the OTHER Ray Charles -- a whitebread choral director who backed Perry Como and whose group's biggest hit was "Love Me With All Your Heart" in 1964 -- is still living.

The contrasts between the two -- the one who died, and the one who's still with us -- can be found on http://www.spaceagepop.com/charles.htm - very striking.

Interesting find, W-B. I remember some of that old "Ray Charles Singers" stuff.

I'm sure its only a matter of time before his record company comes out with a "never before released" album, in which they will collect most all of the royalties!!! LOL

I heard RAY has a new album coming out next month. Major labels they even want to screw you over after your DEAD!!!!

I'm serious RAY does have a new album coming out next month!!!!!