Ray Charles, whose version of God Bless America can still evoke chills, has passed away at the age of 73. Ray Charles Quotes:

“When I started to sing like myself — as opposed to imitating Nat Cole, which I had done for a while — when I started singing like Ray Charles, it had this spiritual and churchy, this religious or gospel sound. It had this holiness and preachy tone to it. It was very controversial. I got a lot of criticism for it.” — (San Jose Mercury News, 1994)

“Do it right or don’t do it at all. That comes from my mom. If there’s something I want to do, I’m one of those people that won’t be satisfied until I get it done. If I’m trying to sing something and I can’t get it, I’m going to keep at it until I get where I want it.” Charles (Sun-Sentinel of Fort Lauderdale, 1998)

“The fact of the matter is, you don’t give up what’s natural. Anything I’ve fantasized about, I’ve done.” — (Los Angeles Times, 1989)

I met Ray several times, at various jazz festivals in the US and overseas, and got to hear him perform many times. He was an incredible one-of-a-kind musician, who will be missed.