Ray Charles

In the late 1980's there were a number of events, to further increase recognition among young audiences Ray. In 1985, the «Night Time Is the Right Time» has appeared in a series of «Happy Anniversary» popular TV show «The Cosby Show». In 1985, Ray appeared at the time of the inauguration of Ronald Reagan. This presentation relates the episode, later cast doubt on the reputation of Ray. We know that Ray was a staunch Democrat, and Reagan - a Republican. Ray has agreed to speak only unheard of in those times, the high fee of 100 000 dollars. Commenting on this fact, the agent Ray Joe Adams said: «For this money we would have made, and at a meeting of the Ku Klux Klan». In 1986, he performed the song «America the Beautiful» during show «WrestleMania 2». Ray participated in the campaign «Diet Pepsi». During the campaign, Ray used the famous slogan «You Got The Right One, Baby!». He also participated in the TV show «The Super Dave Osbourn Show». During the 90 years Charles has participated in several musical projects - so, in particular, the draft of his longtime friend Quincy Jones «I'll be good to you» (1990).

In 1996, at the opening of the Olympic Games in Atlanta, Ray Charles performed his classic song «Georgia On My Mind». In the same year he made and the inauguration of Bill Clinton - three years before this president handed him the National Medal of Arts.

In 2000, Ray in his work back to the jazz and released a song «In the Spur of the Moment», dedicated to Steve Tarr.

In 2002, Ray participated in the festival of cognac in the South of France. During the speech, one of the fans ran on stage and began to perform one song Ray «Mess Around» a cappella. As a token of his respect for Ray started playing music of this song. In May 2003, Charles held in Los Angeles Concert - 10000 account.

One of the last public appearance was Ray in 2003, during the annual banquet of journalists of electronic media, which took place in Washington. He performed the song «Georgia On My Mind» and «America the Beautiful». Last Ray Charles was 30 April 2004 in Los Angeles. Health Ray was shaken at hip operation, which he had long could not recover - despite the illness he continued to work on the album «Genius Loves Company». Ray died at the age of 73 years, at his home in Beverly Hills, California. The cause of his death was a worsening of liver disease. «I will not live forever», - such as Ray Charles said during an interview in the recording studio. - «Uma, that it is clear enough to me. It is not how long I will live only question - how beautiful is my life ». Ray is buried in the cemetery park in Inglvude, California. Two months after his death, left his last album, «Genius Loves Company». In this album includes songs performed by Ray, together with other musicians. Among them are such names as BB King, Van Morrison, James Taylor, Michael McDonald, Elton John, Bonnie Wright, Nora Jones and Johnny Mathis. This album has received 8 prestigious awards «Grammy». Five of them were awarded to the Reyu - «Best Pop Vocal Album», «Album of the year», «Record Year», «Best Pop Collaboration» (song «Here we go again» Noroy duet with Jones) and «Best Gospel execution». Of all his many songs Ray chose one - «Over the Rainbow», which was to be performed at the events dedicated to his memory.