Remembering Ray Charles

"Ray Charles was a man we particularly admired both as a friend and as an artist. We had a great time recently reminiscing together and we will all miss him very much." - Clint Eastwood, pictured here with Charles in April 2004. Eastwood filmed the musician extensively for a segment in the 2003 documentary "The Blues."

Billy Joel said many artists tried to emulate Charles, "among them myself, Rod Stewart, Joe Cocker, Steve Winwood and countless others. Ray Charles defined rhythm and blues, soul, and authentic rock 'n' roll." Charles is seen here hugging Joel after introducing the fellow piano man during the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 1999.

"Ray turned a lack of eyesight into extraordinary insight, soaring to the highest of heights with unmatched vision and mastery." - Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.

Elton John, who recorded a duet of his song "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" with Charles in March 2004, said of the artist: "The death of Ray Charles is an incredible loss for the world of music. He inspired so many people and his music will live forever."

"Ray Charles was my oldest friend, my brother in every sense of the word and bigger than life. We first met when I was 14 years old and he was 16 in Seattle, and we had the blessing of God to realize all those boyhood dreams together." - music producer Quincy Jones, shown presenting Charles with the NAACP's 2004 Hall of Fame award.

"When he started singing, that was it. Everyone else was playing for second." - Bruce Hornsby, singer-pianist.

"I lost one of my best friends and I will miss him a lot. Last month or so, we got together and recorded `It Was a Very Good Year,' by Frank Sinatra. It was great hanging out with him for a day." - Willie Nelson, far left, with Charles and Quincy Jones.

"His music is timeless, his contributions to the music industry unequaled and his influence unparalleled. His caring and humility spoke volumes." - Michael Jackson.

Country music singer Marty Stuart said: "People remember the big hits and the visual image of him, but they forget what an innovator he was in the 1950s as a jazz musician. He made inroads for all of us when he did 'I Can't Stop Loving You.' It took country music to places it hadn't been before."

Aretha Franklin, music's "Queen of Soul," called Charles, "the voice of a lifetime." In a statement she said: "He was a fabulous man, full of humor and wit. A giant of an artist, and of course, he introduced the world to secular soul singing."

Dan Aykroyd, who appeared with Charles in the 1980 film "The Blues Brothers," said he saw him perform about two years before his death: "Like the numerous and substantial obstacles he overcame in his life to emerge as the great songwriter and star performer that he was, his final illness only slowed him down. It didn't stop him from sharing his music with us until the very end."