At Ray Charles's Funeral, Voices Rise and Tears Fall

The only thing bad about the funeral for Ray Charles was that he died.

(snip)

Among the performers for Ray Charles Robinson, who died last week at 73 of liver disease, were Stevie Wonder, Wynton Marsalis, Willie Nelson, Glen Campbell and saxman David "Fathead" Newman. An amazing rendition of the Lord's Prayer was sung by Susaye Greene, a former member of Charles's backup singers, the Raelettes.

From the pulpit, Clint Eastwood said kind words and so did Cicely Tyson and the Rev. Jesse Jackson, and condolences from former president Bill Clinton and producer Quincy Jones were read. The flowers in the church came from around the world, from the Rolling Stones, Ice Cube, Van Morrison, and the Oak Ridge Boys -- for such was the eclectic sweep of Charles's music across genres and generations, in soul, R&B, blues, gospel, country, jazz and funk.

The service was at the place known as FAME Church, in central L.A., a tough neighborhood far away from Beverly Hills, where Charles lived. FAME's is one of the oldest African American congregations in the city. It is a crossroads of religion, politics, entertainment and social action, where the stained-glass windows showcase the biblical saints along with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and John F. Kennedy. Its Sunday services have hosted a long line of aspirants for higher office. In attendance Friday were the city's mayor, James Hahn, its chief of police, the county sheriff and half the city council, plus Little Richard and Johnny Mathis. Clinton himself has been in the church a dozen times over his career.

(snip)

Charles was buried later at Inglewood Cemetery. En route, his hearse briefly paused outside the doors of his recording studio, now a historic landmark.

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53601-2004Jun18.html

One of them made America "feel good about itself" for a mere eight years. The other one made the world feel good about itself every blessed time he sat down at the piano--a hell of a lot longer than any puny-ass eight years!

Sleep well, Sweet Brother Ray. We'll all meet you in the morning on the Other Side. Say hey to Cash for me.

:loveya:
dbt

All the media did was play America the Beautiful and show Ray performing for the Reagans. Two for the price of one.

I can only imagine the emotion and love in that sanctuary earlier today...would like to hear at least excerpts...

NPR.org has the complete recording of service.

I'll have to make a special donation to my local station...

Take these chains from my heart and set me free
You've grown cold and no longer care for me

All my faith in you is gone but the heartaches linger on
Take these chains from my heart and set me free

Take these tears from my eyes and let me see
Just a spark of the love that used to be

If you love somebody new, let me find a new love, too
Take these chains from my heart and set me free

Give my heart just a word of sympathy
Be as fair to my heart as you can be

Then if you no longer care for the love that's beating there
Take these chains from my heart and set me free

Take these chains from my heart and set me free

:cry:

Thank you.

:loveya:
dbt

....but all the credit goes to Ray! :loveya: :hi:

You will be missed.

:cry:

Some amazing eulogies and performances. Clint spoke just before Willie performed, the highlight for me.

I got on video,Willie,Ray, and Leon Russell doing one of Leon's tunes...can't remember the title...it put tears in my eyes...Willie was getting a little emotional as well...sad tune. Maybe,someone else here saw it...it was on Willie 70th Birthday Special,I think it was last summer...hopefully you can "name that tune".