Damn. Ray Charles died today. I never got to see him perform. On our honeymoon, he was playing in Las Vegas, but not until the day after we left--and there was no way I was going to stick around god-forsaken slab of scorched asphalt for anyone, even Charles. Then, a few years ago, while I was still working in Temple, he was performing up in Waco. Unfortuantely, I had a work conflict and couldn't make it. But really, when people refer to the genius of Ray Charles, that's not hyperbole. I remember a story back in '86 or so when Billy Joel's The Bridge came out, and it sported a song called "Baby Grand" which was a duet with Joel and Charles. Apparently, Joel was so in awe of Charles in the studio that instead of deep and soulful, he started singing like a skinny white kid from the Bronx. And Charles followed his lead, singing like a skinny white kid from the Bronx. It was only when Joel got over his hero-worship and started singing like Ray Charles that the song came together.
Now Playing: Ray Charles Ultimate Hits Collection
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