A final farewell...
"Now heaven has a maestro. Ray, when you first get there, before you meet Count (Basie), before you meet Duke (Ellington), before you meet family and friends, there's a man over there, across the river who is giving sight to the blind!"
-Rev. Jesse Jackson, at the memorial service for Ray Charles
B.B. King, Glen Campbell, Stevie Wonder, Wynton Marsalis, Willie Nelson and David "Fathead" Newman performed musical tributes to Ray Charles. Clint Eastwood, who interviewed Charles for an extensive segment of the documentary "The Blues," gave tribute to "The Genius," and Bill Clinton recorded a message to be played at the ceremony.
Ray Charles's music has been inspirational to me. I don't think I've ever heard so much depth and passion in music. The man himself is inspiring, and I hold a great deal of respect for him. He made an impression on the world of music, every form of it...from blues, to pop, to soul, to country and jazz...he truly lived up to his nickname: The Genius. I really wanted to go to a Ray Charles concert in my life time; sadly, it seems that that won't ever happen now, but I'll always hold to his music and remember him for his talent, his charisma, and his outlook on life. He referred to everyone (acquaintances, the audience, etc) as his friends, and I consider myself so lucky to have experienced his music.
-RIP Ray Charles-
-Rev. Jesse Jackson, at the memorial service for Ray Charles
B.B. King, Glen Campbell, Stevie Wonder, Wynton Marsalis, Willie Nelson and David "Fathead" Newman performed musical tributes to Ray Charles. Clint Eastwood, who interviewed Charles for an extensive segment of the documentary "The Blues," gave tribute to "The Genius," and Bill Clinton recorded a message to be played at the ceremony.
Ray Charles's music has been inspirational to me. I don't think I've ever heard so much depth and passion in music. The man himself is inspiring, and I hold a great deal of respect for him. He made an impression on the world of music, every form of it...from blues, to pop, to soul, to country and jazz...he truly lived up to his nickname: The Genius. I really wanted to go to a Ray Charles concert in my life time; sadly, it seems that that won't ever happen now, but I'll always hold to his music and remember him for his talent, his charisma, and his outlook on life. He referred to everyone (acquaintances, the audience, etc) as his friends, and I consider myself so lucky to have experienced his music.
-RIP Ray Charles-