IN MEMORIAM: RAY CHARLES
June 10, 2004

Ray Charles, whose hits include "What'd I Say," "Georgia on My Mind" and "I Can't Stop Loving You," died Thursday of acute liver disease. Ray Suarez remembers Charles, who won over ten Grammy Awards during his musical career.

 

Nov. 27, 2003: Spencer Michels reports on a school for aspiring jazz singers and the growing popularity of this musical form. NewsHour coverage of: Arts and Entertainment   News for Students: Arts and English     American Masters: Ray Charles Ray Charles Online	RAY SUAREZ: Finally tonight, remembering Ray Charles. The music great died today after a career spanning more than five decades and crossing over music boundaries and genres. He grew up in poverty in the segregated South and broke through in the 1950s by combining gospel and blues music. As an influential singer, songwriter, producer and band leader, Charles went on to bring his soul sensibility to other musical genres including country, rock and jazz. At one point during his career he battled heroin addiction. He would go on to record more than 60 albums and 32 big hits, including three number one songs. Here he is performing one of his signature songs in a 1981 concert. The song, of course, "Georgia on My Mind." RAY CHARLES: (Singing) Georgia Oh, Georgia The whole day through Old, sweet song Keeps Georgia on my mind I say Georgia Ah, Georgia Any song of you comes as sweet and clear as moonlight through the pine Other arms reach out to me Other eyes smile tenderly Still in peaceful dreams I see Any road leads back to you Oh Georgia I say Georgia The peace I find This old, sweet song keeps Georgia on my mind Other arms reach out to me Other eyes smile tenderly Still in peaceful dreams I see I go on the road leads back to you I say Georgia This old, sweet song keeps Georgia on my mind This old, sweet song keeps Georgia on my mind ...Oh, yeah RAY SUAREZ: Ray Charles was 73 years old.

REGIONS TOPICS RECENT PROGRAMS ABOUT US FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS / FEEDS:

Support the kind of journalism done by the NewsHour...Become a member of your local PBS station.
PBS Online Privacy Policy Copyright ©1996- MacNeil/Lehrer Productions. All Rights Reserved.