Ray Charles remembered by friends in the music industry

[dweller]

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

BY BILL HUTCHINSON

New York Daily News


(KRT) - 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.
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:cry:.....he's not going to Kansas City anymore...
dp