AP CustomWire | The Janesville Gazette | Janesville, Wisconsin, USA
Charles "had this blasphemous idea of taking gospel songs and putting the devil's words to them."
His last Grammy came in 1993 for "A Song for You," but he never dropped out of the music scene. He continued to tour and long treasured time for chess. He once told the Los Angeles Times: "I'm not Spassky, but I'll make it interesting for you."
Rest in peace Ray Charles, dead of liver disease at 73. The AP notes that Charles left behind 12 children, 20 grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. He may be gone, but his music will never be forgotten. The rest is silence.