Ray Charles Dies at 73

seraph · Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2004 9:32 am Post subject: Ray Charles Dies at 73

June 10, 2004

Blues and gospel legend Ray Charles has died at the age of 73. Charles won the Grammy 12 times. His songs "Hit the Road, Jack," "What'd I Say" and "Georgia on My Mind" have become American classics.

One of America's most beloved entertainers, Ray Charles, died on Thursday at the age of 73, after a long fight with acute liver disease.

Blind by age 7 and an orphan at 15, Charles overcame poverty, blindness and heroin addiction to lay the foundation for soul music.

The gifted pianist and saxophonist spent his life shattering any notion of musical categories and defying easy definition.

Charles won nine of his 12 Grammys between 1960 and 1966. He is well-known for producing his own version of songs, including a stirring America the Beautiful, which he sang for the late President Reagan at his 1985 inaugural ball.

seraph · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 9:14 am Post subject:

http://www.m-audio.com/forums.html

mosc · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 9:36 am Post subject:

I've always loved Ray Charles. He was born in Calahan, Florida, a "suburb" of Jacksonville, my home town.