Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | One of the local Phoenix news programs last night showed a photo tribute of Ronald Reagan to the music track of Ray Charles doing "America The Beautiful." Man, I tell you, it was one of the most beautiful and emotional things I have seen in a long, long time.
I graduated from university, got my first real job, got married, bought my first house, had both of my children, etc. all on Reagan's watch as President. Those were some damn good years. Whatever your political orientation may be, I think most would agree that he was the last
"Larger Than Life" President. Rest in peace, my friend.
As far as Ray Charles, I heard the funniest story yesterday. Many years ago early in his career, he had a burning desire to play Carneige Hall. His manager and friends played a hell of a joke on him. They arranged a Carneige Hall concert (or so Ray thought) on April 1st. In truth, they had arranged a concert for about 150 friends at a high school in Queens, NY. But all the time they let Ray think it was Carneige Hall. They didn't break it to him until after the show that he had been duped due to his blindness. Ray's response was "Yeah, I thought the acoustics kind of sucked". Years later he finaly did play a concert at Carneige Hall. And he dedicated the encore to the students of that Queens High School. Funny how you don't appreciate some things until they're gone. |
Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 1026
Location: Back in the Valley of the Sun Mesa Az. | Dave,
I'd loved to have taped that tribute to Reagan with Ray's music. And I echo your sentiments about Ronald Reagan, and the Reagan years.
I am a big sports fan, but there was a three hour special on last night on President Reagan and the people who knew him, the same time as game three of the NBA finals.... who won that game anyhow?
What a great man! What a great American!
Norseman1 |
Farewells....
