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Article: Friends, fans and family bid farewell to Ray Charles in Los Angeles ceremonies.(Census)
- Article from:
- Jet
- Article date:
- July 5, 2004
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2004 Johnson Publishing Co. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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An overflow crowd of more than 1,500 at Los Angeles' First AME Church, that city's oldest Black church, laughed, cried and sang as they said goodbye to "Brother Ray" Charles.
The music legend recently died at the age of 73 following a lengthy illness (JET, June 28). He provided soul, country, pop, blues and jazz fans more than five decades of inspiring, memorable music.
Charles son, the Rev. Robert Robinson Sr., told the crowd: "It may be crying time (one of Charles' big hits), but clap your hands, stomp your feet, stand and give God praise. Thank God for giving us Ray Charles."
The Rev. Jesse Jackson, in another reference to a Charles hit, ...