Ray Charles Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

READ MORE: Cancer symptoms: The 'feeling' that strikes first thing in the morning - it's a red flagHe also became hooked on heroin from the age of 18 and was arrested in 1965 for possession but left music for a year to free himself from the bad habit. But he came back ready to continue his work and kept performing until the 2000s. But in the end, Ray Charles passed away after an illness made him cancel several appearances in 2004, NPR reported.

NEW YORK -- One night in Stockholm half a century ago, Ray Charles delivered a blood-pumping, soul-shaking concert that was almost lost to history.The evening begins with a finger-snapping rendition of Charles' classic concert opener, “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” followed by an electrifying “What’d I Say.” Charles then delivers two more rarities, a lazy, bluesy version of “I've Had My Fun” followed by “Games People Play.” He closes with a frantic “Marie” followed by an extended 8-minute version of “I’ve Got a Woman.” The crowd goes wild.Many details of that night are lost, like the exact date, which venue in the city hosted Charles and the identity of the mysterious engineer who nailed his or her job. But there's no denying that it is a remarkable record.“It captured an incredible moment where he was particularly playing and singing well and the band was on, and so they’re just great versions,” says John Burk, who produced Charles' last album, the Grammy-winning “Genius Loves Company.” “He was kind of at the peak of his powers.”Amid the songs, Charles can be heard interacting with the audience.

Naomi Judd died unexpectedly.The loss of Naomi Judd altered the normally celebratory ceremony, but the music played on, as the genre’s singers and musicians mourned the country legend while also celebrating the four inductees: The Judds, Ray Charles, Eddie Bayers and Pete Drake. Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Vince Gill and many more performed their hit songs.Naomi and Wynonna Judd were among the most popular duos of the 1980s, scoring 14 No.

Country Music Hall of Fame induction. The honor was delivered just 24 hours after the music matriarch’s passing.

Naomi Judd's life and legacy were honored in an emotional Country Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Sunday.The country songstress died on Saturday, one day before she and her daughter Wynonna Judd — who make up the country music duo The Judds — were set to be inducted.While Wynonna's presence at the ceremony was confirmed prior to the event, sister Ashley Judd came out on stage to share her love and support amid the somber, bittersweet moment.«I’m sorry that she couldn’t hang on until today,» Ashley shared, through tears. The sisters embraced one another and recited a bible verse, Psalm 23, while memorializing their late mom.Wynonna also told the silent crowd, «Though my heart is broken I will continue to sing»During the event, fans gathered outside the museum. There was a white floral bouquet set up outside the entrance and a small framed photo of Naomi, honoring her memory.The star-studded ceremony — which cancelled the traditional red carpet pre-show event out of respect for Naomi's unexpected death — also celebrated the induction of music icons Ray Charles, Eddie Bayers and Pete Drake.Naomi died on Saturday in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Ray Charles and The Judds joined the Country Music Hall of Fame in a ceremony filled with tears, music and laughter, just a day after Naomi Judd died unexpectedly. The loss of Naomi Judd altered the normally celebratory ceremony, but the music played on, as the genre’s singers and musicians mourned the country legend while also celebrating the four inductees: The Judds, Ray Charles, Eddie Bayers and Pete Drake. Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Vince Gill and many more performed their hit songs at the ceremony at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee.

Naomi Judd's life and legacy were honored in an emotional Country Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Sunday.The country songstress died on Saturday, one day before she and her daughter Wynonna Judd — who make up the country music duo The Judds — were set to be inducted.While Wynonna's presence at the ceremony was confirmed prior to the event, sister Ashley Judd came out on stage to share her love and support amid the somber, bittersweet moment.«I’m sorry that she couldn’t hang on until today,» Ashley shared, through tears. The sisters embraced one another and recited a bible verse, Psalm 23, while memorializing their late mom.Wynonna also told the silent crowd, «Though my heart is broken I will continue to sing»During the event, fans gathered outside the museum. There was a white floral bouquet set up outside the entrance and a small framed photo of Naomi, honoring her memory.The star-studded ceremony — which cancelled the traditional red carpet pre-show event out of respect for Naomi's unexpected death — also celebrated the induction of music icons Ray Charles, Eddie Bayers and Pete Drake.Naomi died on Saturday in Nashville, Tennessee.

Naomi and her daughter Wynonna Judd, along with Ray Charles, Eddie Bayers and Pete Drake were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, one day after Naomi Judd died.

Naomi Judd died unexpectedly. The loss of Naomi Judd altered the normally celebratory ceremony, but the music played on, as the genre's singers and musicians mourned Naomi Judd while also celebrating the four inductees: The Judds, Ray Charles, Eddie Bayers and Pete Drake. Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Vince Gill and many more performed their hit songs.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will continue with its medallion ceremony Sunday in Nashville following news of the death of country music icon Naomi Judd, who, along with her daughter Wynonna, was set to be inducted as The Judds. According to a Country Music Hall of Fame rep, Wynonna Judd is expected to attend the induction ceremony. Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, said in a statement provided to Billboard that the Judd family requested the ceremony carry on in light of Naomi’s passing.

following the death of inductee Naomi Judd — who along with her daughter, Wynonna — is set to be inducted on Sunday. In a statement to ET, Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum shared that -- per the family’s request -- the ceremony will proceed.  «We are shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Naomi Judd, who enters the Country Music Hall of Fame tomorrow as a member of mother-daughter duo The Judds,» Young said. «Naomi overcame incredible adversity on her way to a significant place in music history.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Country Music Hall of Fame will induct Ray Charles and The Judds into its ranks on Sunday night, though the death of Naomi Judd a day earlier will undoubtedly alter the normally celebratory ceremony.The hall said late Saturday that it would continue with the ceremony at the request of Judd's family, but with “heavy hearts and weighted minds,” according to CEO Kyle Young.Mother-daughter act Naomi and Wynonna Judd were among the most popular duos of the 1980s, scoring 14 No.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will continue with its medallion ceremony on Sunday, May 1st in Nashville following news of the death of country music icon Naomi Judd, who, along with her daughter Wynonna, was set to be inducted as The Judds.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorA day after Naomi Judd’s death, the previously scheduled induction of the Judds into the Country Music Hall of Fame will go ahead as planned, with Naomi’s daughter Wynonna expected to attend, a rep for the Hall tells Variety. As the Judds, Naomi and Wynonna were one of the most successful country acts of the past 40 years, although they initially parted in 1991.“The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum joins family and fans in grieving the sudden loss of Naomi Judd,” the statement reads. “Following the wishes of the Judd family, the museum will move forward with the Medallion Ceremony on Sunday, May 1, with Wynonna planning on being in attendance.

The Judds are still set to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame tomorrow, May 1.

Guitar Shorty, a blue great for more than six decades known for his stage antics and awesome guitar solos, died Wednesday in Los Angeles. He was 87 and his death was attributed to natural causes by his representatives.

Norah Jones has finally released her cover of Ray Charles‘ ‘Hallelujah, I Love Him So’ – listen to it below.Released to celebrate the 20th anniversary of her landmark debut ‘Come Away With Me’, Jones originally recorded her rendition of the 1956 song during one of her very first demo sessions for Blue Note Records back in 2000.Until now, the cover has never previously been released. It will be available for the first time as part of ‘Come Away With Me: 20th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition’, a multi-disc reissue that will arrive on April 29.The anniversary release will contains 21 other previously unreleased tracks including demos of Ella Fitzgerald’s ‘Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most’, Nat King Cole’s ‘Walkin’ My Baby Back Home’, and Lou Rawls’ ‘World Of Trouble’.The expanded studio set will also feature the first version of the album that Jones originally recorded at Allaire Studios with producer Craig Street.Pre-order the album here; listen to Jones’ version of ‘Hallelujah, I Love Him So’ below.‘Come Away with Me: 20th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition’ tracklist:Disc 1: ‘Come Away With Me – 20th Anniversary Remaster’01. ‘Don’t Know Why’02. ‘Seven Years’03. ‘Cold Cold Heart’04. ‘Feelin’ The Same Way’05. ‘Come Away With Me’06. ‘Shoot The Moon’07. ‘Turn Me On’08. ‘Lonestar’09. ‘I’ve Got To See You Again’10. ‘Painter Song’11. ‘One Flight Down’12. ‘Nightingale’13. ‘The Long Day Is Over’14. ‘The Nearness Of You’Disc 2: ‘The Demos, First Sessions Outtakes, & First Sessions’ EP01. ‘Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most’02. ‘Walkin’ My Baby Back Home’03. ‘World Of Trouble’04. ‘The Only Time’05. ‘I Didn’t Know About You’06. ‘Something Is Calling You’ (tabla version)07. ‘Just Like A Dream Today’08. ‘When Sunny Gets Blue’0

K.J. Yossman Iggy Pop and Paris-based contemporary music troupe Ensemble intercontemporain have been named the 2022 recipients of the Polar Music Prize.The Polar Music Prize, which was founded in 1989 by Swedish musician Stig ”Stikkan” Anderson, is one of the world’s most prestigious music awards.

Aunjanue Ellis (“King Richard”) and Regina King (“The Harder They Fall”) sat down for a virtual chat for Variety’s Actors on Actors, presented by Amazon Studios. For more, click here.Regina King and Aunjanue Ellis have shared the screen twice, in 2004’s “Ray” and 2018’s “If Beale Street Could Talk.” In both outings, the actors played adversaries — first as songstresses competing for Ray Charles’ affections and then as the mothers of the central lovers in “Beale Street” who don’t see eye to eye about their children’s relationship.“I feel like we’ve been robbed,” King says.

CLEMSON, S.C. -- A South Carolina city is putting up a historical marker to commemorate a nightclub renowned for hosting Black musicians and patrons in the segregated South.The city of Clemson purchased the marker in honor of the Littlejohn Grill, The Greenville News reported.The venue opened after World War II and stayed open until the 1960s, hosting many blues, jazz and rock ’n’ roll entertainers.

Ed Sheeran has revealed that he and Eminem became pen-pals after bonding over a shared love of cassette tapes.Sheeran recently appeared on Later… with Jools Holland, where he explained how he and the rap icon – who have collaborated on three singles since 2017 – are both into cassette collecting.“I collect cassettes and I’ve got Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder and they are quite difficult to find,” he said.

Max Roach staging a rival event in protest at the perceived commerciality of Wein’s booking policy, which included the likes of Chuck Berry, Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra. Nothing, though, was as ill-advised as Wein’s attempt to incorporate rock bands like Led Zeppelin, the Allman Brothers and Sly & the Family Stone, causing riots and gatecrashers.

Naomi and Wynonna Judd are soon to be members of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

R&B legend Ray Charles, who helped redefine country music in the Civil Rights era, and Grammy-winning duo The Judds will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame on Monday announced their new members, who will be formally inducted in a ceremony in 2022.

The 2021 Country Music Hall of Fame inductees have been announced.

NASHVILLE, Ten.. -- R&B legend Ray Charles and Grammy-winning duo The Judds will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.The Hall of Fame on Monday announced their new members, who will be formally inducted in a ceremony in 2022.Charles showed the commercial potential of country music when he released “Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music" in 1962, a genre-defying personal project to the Georgia-born singer and piano player.

Chris Willman Music WriterThe Country Music Hall of Fame has announced its class of 2021, with the Judds and Ray Charles representing superstar inductees and musicians Pete Drake and Eddie Bayers joining the hall’s ranks as well.Drake and Bayers have something in common: Drake is the first steel guitar player ever to get voted into the Hall of Fame, and Bayers the first drummer to be thus included.

Prince Estate has sold a controlling stake in the rights to the late musician’s intellectual property.According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the three youngest of Prince’s six siblings have each agreed to sell their inheritance in the estate to New York independent music publisher and talent management company Primary Wave.The new report has revealed that Primary Wave, which also owns a music catalogue that includes Nirvana and Ray Charles, last month bought 100 per cent of Prince’s youngest

Chris Willman Music WriterClarence “Mac” McDonald, a keyboard player, producer, songwriter and arranger who worked with artists including James Taylor, Ray Charles, Bill Withers and the Emotions, died in Las Vegas July 21 from complications related to cancer, his friends and family reported. He was 76.During a 50-year-plus career in the music business, McDonald had as among his biggest hits as a producer the 1977 No.

Clarence “Mac” McDonald, a keyboardist who played with such legends as Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and Ella Fitzgerald and produced the Emotions’ No. 1 smash “Best of My Love” and many others, has died. He was 76.

NPR reported.

Jeremy Helligar At the beginning of the 1970s, mainstream Black music was a massive singles scene. A handful of Motown acts, including the Supremes and the Temptations, had managed to score Top 10 albums during the ‘60s, but with the exception of Aretha Franklin’s Atlantic Records releases post-“Respect” and Ray Charles’ run of early ‘60s hits on ABC, Black artists weren’t typically creating classic album-length artistic statements on par with The Beatles’ “Sgt.

We’ve had definitive biopics on legendary Black soul artists like James Brown (“Get On Up“), Miles Davis (“Miles Ahead“), Tina Turner (“What’s Love Got To Do With It“), and Ray Charles (“Ray“). And while she’s appeared in many films and there have been documentaries made about her, there’s never really been a definitive movie biopic about the Queen of Soul, at least one that’s stuck in the collective conscious.

Joe Biden nixed one of Donald Trump’s plans for a lasting legacy: A National Garden Of American Heroes, filled with statues of historical figures, sports stars, entertainers, business figures, activists and inventors.

Miles Davis‘ final live performances is set to be released as a new live album next month.‘MERCI MILES! LIVE AT VIENNE’ is a documentation of the legend’s 1991 performance at the Vienne Jazz Festival in France, just three months before his death.The record will come out on June 25 via Rhino Records, and comes as part of the label’s Black Music Month series.