Singing Legend Ray Charles dies at the age of 73
He was one of music industry's 'true gentleman', who from an early age lost his sight but not his dream to become a singer and an entertainer. He thrilled us all through the years with his savy smile and flair and it's a sad day to say that Ray Charles passed away last Thursday (Jun 10th), he was 73
He died in his Beverly Hills home at 11:35 a.m, his cause of death can be attributed to acute liver disease. He was surrounded by family and friends, said spokesman Jerry Digney.
His story is quite remarkable one. Born Ray Charles Robinson on September 23 1930 to Aretha and Baily Robinson in Albany, Georgia, he grew up in Greenville, Florida. From the age of about five his eyesight rapidly deteriorated, probably caused by juvenile glaucoma. By the age of 7 he was totally blind but by then his musical talent was beginning to shine.
His biggest influence his mother died when he was in his teens and it was here that he put his talent to the test by going on the road. He decided to drop his surname in deference to the boxing champion Sugar Ray Robinson.
Charles would sign with Atlantic in the early 1950s where he recorded the seminal hit "I Got a Woman," whom most credited as the first true soul record ever made.
He went on to collect 13 Grammy Awards during his career including a lifetime achievement honour in 1987. He collected 9 of those in the the 50s. "He is one of the most important artists of the last century," said Ahmet Ertegun, who signed Charles to his Atlantic Records label some 52 years ago, told Reuters. "The only artist that had a greater influence was Louis Armstrong."
Charles released his latest album, "Thanks for Bringing Love Around," in 2002, including a new version of "What'd I Say," a song he originally released in 1959 that became one of his first hits.
Other hits include the ballad 'Georgia On My Mind', which became the official state song of Charles' home state, as well as 'Hit the Road Jack', 'The Right Time', 'Yes, Indeed', 'Hallelujah, I Love Her So' and 'I Can't Stop Loving You'.
While best known for his contributions to soul music, Charles achieved success with pop standards, jazz tunes and country music. Charles, who was divorced twice and has been single since 1952, was survived by 12 children, 20 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. A memorial service was planned for this week at Los Angeles' First AME Church, with burial afterward at Inglewood Cemetery.
- - Source: ap.org
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Smokey Robinson being sued by Chef
WHITE CASTLE, La. -- A Louisiana chef is suing legendary singer Smokey Robinson for trademark infringement over a catchy slogan he says he has used for years to sell gumbo and other fare.
Johnny 'Jambalaya' Percle, a Louisiana chef, said he had the slogan "Soul in Yo Bowl" trademarked in 1997 after using it for a decade.
Percle's complaint says that Robinson's use of the phrase, "The Soul is in the Bowl," for his line of Louisiana foods is so similar that it will confuse consumers.
"If he would have called it 'Smokey Robinson's Gumbo,' he wouldn't have heard boo from Johnny Jam," said Percle, a chef at Nottoway Plantation, about 25 miles south of Baton Rouge. "I truly believe by all legal rights, 'Soul in the Bowl' is mine, not his."
Robinson and his California-based SFGL Foods introduced "Smokey Robinson's Soul in the Bowl" line in January, featuring frozen Louisiana gumbo.
The products are on sale in some Chicago grocery stores, with distribution planned for California later this month. A national roll-out is planned by the end of the year, according to a company Web site.
Percle, who once catered a meal for Robinson in New Orleans, learned of the similar slogan from a friend who called to ask whether the chef and singer had joined forces.
Steve Sherman, a California lawyer for SFGL Foods, said he is aware of the lawsuit, "but I have not personally had an opportunity to review the complaint yet. It doesn't sound like something that has merit."
- - Source: ap.org
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Eric Benet seeks money from pre-nup
The cheek of some people I tell ya. It's bad enough that he cheated on arguedbly the beautifuliest woman in the film industry (in the world I would say) in Halle Berry but Eric Benét now seeks to try and get some money out of the prenups he signed when he married the lovely lady.
Last week, the 33-year-old R&B crooner who has not had an album out in 5 years filed paperwork in the Los Angeles Superior Court seeking to challenge the couple's prenup. Benét has requested that "the court determine the validity and/or enforceability of the parties' prenuptial agreement and subsequent amendments there to," this according to a copy of his filing published on the website 'The Smoking Gun'.
It was brought to light that the demise of his marrigage to Halle was due to him being a sex addick and it made officially public a few weeks ago in an interview his soon-to-be ex-wife gave with Oprah on The Oprah Winfrey Show. "I found out there was woman after woman after woman after woman after woman, and then I realized he had a sickness," she said. She filed for divorce in April siting 'irreconcilable differences' for the cause
The court documents themselves do not go into specifics on the prenup or elaborate on how much Benét is seeking from the judge. So far no hearings have been scheduled on the matter.
- Source: TheSmokingGun.com
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Marc Anthony tells ex - 'Shut up or pay up'
Here's a new one for you - sue your ex-wife if she bad mouths you and speaks about your new bride to anyone and vice versa. In what is apparently an action they both agreed on, latin singer Marc Anthony is telling his recently divorced ex-wife of a week, former beauty queen Dayanara Torres, that mums the word about his private life -- and if she talks to anyone about it he will fine her $10,000 every time and the shoe drops on the other foot too as it applies to him also. You can say it's going to cause quite some controversy and ultimately invoke a new low for the celebs who have nothing better to do than to worry that their ex will say.
Case and point Richard Perez Feria, the editor of People en Español, said his magazine recently sat down for a one-on-one with Torres, but halfway through the interview, Feria says Anthony phoned her and threatened to sue her if she dishes the dirt.
According to sources, In the couple's divorce papers, Marc and Dayanara agreed to not make disparaging remarks about each other's personal, private or family life, including comments about their acquaintances, and future spouses, such as Mr Anthony's recent bride, Jennifer Lopez. "They both agreed before a judge to a $10,000 fine if either of them says something about the other's private life," said Feria.
Anthony married Lopez just four days after his quicky divorce to Dayanara was finalized in the Dominican Republic and has been tight lipped about his recent nuptials to the actress who has insured her derriere for $2, 000,000. Last week, while promoting his new album on "The Today Show,", presenter Matt Lauer asked 'What's this?' (referring to the wedding band on his left hand), he replied "You all know I don't talk about my personal life."
As for Dayanara, the former Miss Universe is re-launching her modeling and acting career.
- Source: celebrityjustice.com