"It was all music to Ray. He was the first true crossover artist... But Ray was Rock & Roll. He was Rhythm & Blue. He was Jazz. He was country. He had such reach - and far-reaching effect."
"There was music before Ray Charles, and there's music after Ray Charles. It's that stark a difference... I got to record with him for his duets project... He was very kind and generous and appreciative - very present. And when I heard that voice and that piano coming out of the headphones, well, that was the pinnacle of my career..."
"It's a special privilege to say you've recorded with Ray Charles. Being immersed in and around his musicality is always a learning experience. He set the pace for all of us."
"A lot of folks want to pay tribute to Ray Charles, and I'm glad a lot of us are getting the opportunity to do that. Ray and I are very good friends and there's no one any better, as far as I'm concerned, at what we do. Recording with Ray was an extraordinary experience. Who would have thought that guys like us would still be out there recording and doing stuff. That's what makes it special."
"His sound was stunning - it was blues, it was R&B, it was gospel, it was swing - it was all the stuff I was listening to before that but rolled into one amazing, soulful thing."
"To be singing with Ray Charles, two feet away from him live with an orchestra was pretty unbelievable. "Hey Girl" is the ingredient that makes the moment even more special to me because I know how much Ray loves that song."
"I was so nervous to be in the same studio as Ray Charles. He is not just an ordinary singer, musician or icon. He's the best of the best. It was a highlight of my life."
"Brother Ray is so good. It was great to have the opportunity to work with long-time friends like him and Billy Preston. We were a sight; three old timers burning through this historic blues track. I cannot express how much it meant to me to sing alongside Ray on on e of his hits from his early career."
Ray Charles Robinson (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004), known by his stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He brought a soulful sound to country...
