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June 12, 2004
GEORGIA ON MY MIND
The world lost a great entertainer last week, and I'm not just talking about Ronald Regan. Death stilled one of America's most original voices on Thursday. Ray Charles, who scored hits in blues, jazz, rhythm & blues, country and pop, died at the age of 73. His achievements may be ancient--or unknown--history to some, but he almost single-handedly created soul music, bringing the fervor of gospel music to commercial R&B. From "Georgia On My Mind" to "Hit the Road, Jack," Ray Charles left an indelible mark on the world.
While many will remember him for his performance in "The Blues Brothers," it should come as no surprise to some that I'll remember him most for his role in the 1996 movie, "Spy Hard," in which he played a bus driver. If you saw the movie (a hundred times like I did) you'll fondly recall this classic line:
Next stop, Sunset Boulevard! I guess it's Sunset Boulevard.
The Indianapolis Star newspaper reflects on Charles best though with this editorial, from this morning's edition:
Myriad words will be devoted to discussing the role the late Ray Charles played in transforming popular music by remixing blues, jazz and gospel music into modern R&B. A few obits will even mention that "the Genius" overcame poverty and blindness to become an icon of pop culture.
Yet few will note how he bootstrapped his way to the pinnacle of modern American music. The life Charles lived proves that one can overcome desperate financial straits and disabilities with high expectations, hard work and a willingness to take risks. Such an idea is heresy for many Americans, who think the impoverished are condemned to misery. That many of the poor manage to join the middle class, if not achieve fame and fortune, rarely factors into such thinking.
Charles grew up in a home without running water, watched his younger brother drown in a tub and lost his eyesight to glaucoma by age 7. His home was dysfunction personified; his father lived under the same roof with both Charles' mother Aretha and his first wife, before abandoning the household.
Yet as Charles wrote in his 1978 biography, "Brother Ray," he didn't grow up with lowered expectations. His mother taught him how to stand on his own, teaching him how to chop wood and cook his own meals. From the owner of the Red Wing CafÈ in his hometown of Greenville, Fla., Charles learned how to play the piano. While learning classical music at the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, he spent his free time imitating Nat King Cole.
Realizing he would never achieve success as a bit player in other people's bands, he quit a gig with blues singer Lowell Fulsom and struck out on his own. As he struggled as a solo act, he realized that he had to stop imitating his idol Cole's silky styling and be a true original.
"I knew I had to have faith in myself. I had to buy my own line," wrote Charles in "Brother Ray."Exactly.
Exactly, is right!
Posted by Mikal at June 12, 2004 7:24 AM
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Also see:
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/11/arts/music/11CHAR.html
http://www.salon.com/ent/music/feature/2004/06/11/charles/index.html
http://www.raycharles.com/
I saw him at Rockefeller's in Houston in 1986. Just him, the piano, and the Raelets. He nearly danced on the piano, and I wasn't overly convinced that he was blind because he got around so well. He couldn't sit still, the audience couldn't sit still. I stayed for the second show. The next time he came to town, and the times after that, he performed at Jones Hall with the symphony. Those tickets were out of my price range, but I can't imagine that they had the verve of that Rockefeller's show.
Thank you for the memorial.
There was a great piece on Ray on CBS Sunday morning this past weekend. Beyond being a great artistic influence...and having great personal achehievement ...he was also a super savy business men. One of the first to own most of his songs and have large royalty percentages to his work. He will be missed for all of his achievements.
Oh, man, I didn't even know Ray Charles had died...I'm going to be in mourning all week.
*sad*
A great entertainer ... the world is a little less cool without him.
I just finished watching the tribute to Ray Charles and have heard from someone who was able to join the family to view the final cut that, the film will be a tribute of enormous contribution to American culture and music. In my early twenties and thirties, I had the pleasure of see him perform in San Francisco. Ts cohe greatest legacy, however, to Ray Charles would be to immortalize his contribution by all accounts is an extraoridinary performance by Jamie Foxx. I'll be curious how things play out at next year's Oscar awards. Award or no for Jamie, Ray can't and won't be forgotten for generations to come...
As I was watching the special, however, a colleague who I had worked with over a period of about a year back in 1976 crossed my mind. We lost touch and I'd like to know if anyone knows how I can contact Fritz Baskett via the internet. I believe that, at one time, she was a Raelet--back in the day.
Thanks.
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