Share your thoughts on R&B legend

“Ray was my idol in the middle ’50s and ’60s. I can remember hanging by my fingers from a window ledge in Chicago, just to be able to hoist up and catch a glimpse. I was not alone. Ray was an exciting and inspirational performer. He represented just how much any human could do to overcome his own weaknesses. I loved the man and his wonderful music. My last experience was as an excited fellow spectator at his great Martin Luther King's day concert in Reno, Nevada. It was on Jan. 15, 2000, and as a white person, I was in great company as the house roared and the roof nearly came down. The world is a poorer place without him.”
—Edward R. Hess, Phoenix, Ariz

“I grew up in the ’70s and early ’80s. I remember Ray playing half time shows and wowing the crowd. I loved his voice and some of his songs. He inspired many artists that were sight impaired and he was a wonderful piano player as well. I will miss him.”
— Honey Trout, Eatonville

“Back in 1980 or ’81, I lived in Mallorca, Spain, and I took my Spanish girlfriend to see him on the island. As I remember, it was a great, memorable night. I just wish I could find that girlfriend today.”
—Melvyn Washington, Broken Arrow

“I will always remember a great guy and, of course, a great singer and musician. I was 17 years old back in 1960 when I saw him at the ‘Ed Sullivan Show’ on a Sunday night and heard his songs on the radio So, throughout my life, he has always been there as a great American ambassador and a great part of our music history.”
—Andy Torres, Glendale, Calif.

“America's ACTUAL great uniter. He transcends categories. America's foremost universal contribution to global popular culture. His should be the next countenance etched upon Mt. Rushmore — the first one with sunglasses!”
—Scott Jacobs, Los Angeles

“Ray Charles use to hang out in the juke joint in Louisiana with my uncle. We would sit around the table on Friday night with my parents, and of course my Uncle, ‘William Brown’ and he'd tell us stories of their encounters. Loved Mr. Ray Charles and all of his talents.”
—Stephanie Jackson, Los Angeles

“I think of Ray Charles as a great artist who broke color barriers to bring people together through music. My parents went to see him in the 60s, and I found my own way into his music many years later. He will never be forgotten.”
—Lee Ann Stiff, Santa Barbara, Calif.

“Ray Charles entertained a packed house at Santa Ana Casino for New Year's Eve a couple of years ago. He really had the place hoppin’. He was such a joy to watch perform and I could tell he really loved what he was doing — making people happy and feel good. Whatever way I look at that evening, be it the end of the old year or the beginning of the new year, it was a spectacular way to spend it. Ray will be missed tremendously. He was surely one of a kind and a real inspiration to all. He did not let his poor childhood affect his self esteem but looked at how he could enrich his life as an adult. He may have been poor as a child but he certainly made us all rich through his love of music.”
—Barbara Hilton, Albuquerque, N.M.

“Before there was Stevie Wonder, there was Ray Charles. I had heard my parents sing along to ‘Georgia’ and ‘I Can't Stop Loving You’ but it made no real impression on me, not until early one morning at summer camp, when they woke us to ‘Hit the Road Jack’ (played at a thundering fever pitch), did I took notice of Mr. Ray Charles, and he has been one my most favorite artists ever since.”
—Denise Long, Bethesda, MD

“To me, Ray Charles was one of the greats of music! His distinctive voice and style influenced a lot of musicians who followed in his footsteps, like myself. You'll be missed Ray, make sure you show ’em all how to ‘Shake a Tailfeather’ up there!”
—Eric, Marysville

“The first concert I ever attended, in Boston, around 1960 or 61. It taught me how much better live music was and to really appreciate R&B. I was 12 or 13, and took my first ‘serious’ date. Mom, of course, drove us the 25 miles each way and waited outside. Great, great experience.”
—Jeff, Wayne, N.J.

“I feel very fortunate to have seen Ray last year at the Santa Cruz Blues Festival, one of his last concerts before his operation. He seemed fine and solid in performance with his big band. I heard an unexpected connection between his arrangements and Count Basie's. He has been a pillar of Soul and R&B all my life. I miss him, but as long as I listen to his music, he is alive.”
—Kevin O'Neil, Alameda, Calif.

“I was in middle school and I rushed home one day to watch ‘American Bandstand.’ Dick Clark played this new song, called ‘Georgia On My Mind.’ As I listened to it, I started to cry, because it was so beautiful. I still, at 56, tear up whenever I heard that song. Ray Charles was a talent so soulful and great that he will never be replaced.”
—Marilyn Nalewajek, Wallingford, Conn.

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