Ray Charles memorial and funeral

LOS ANGELES (Ray Charles Enterprise press release) - On Thursday, June 17, music legend Ray Charles, who died last Thurs., will be remembered by his fellow Los Angelinos. A public memorial and viewing is scheduled in the South Hall of the
Los Angeles Convention Center, from 12 noon to 8PM on Thursday. There will be a book of condolences that the public is welcome to sign.

On Friday, June 18, an invitation only funeral will be convened at the First AME Church on Harvard Blvd., in Los Angeles.

Willie Nelson, B.B. King, Clint Eastwood, Stevie Wonder, Glen Campbell, Cicely Tyson, Billy Preston and Rev. Jesse Jackson are among the entertainer's friends and associates who will honor him during the two-hour ceremony, which will also feature the Crenshaw High School Elite Choir and other program participants.

Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn and City Councilman Martin Ludlow, representing Mr. Charles' home district, will be among the 1,500 dignitaries and show business luminaries from around the world attending the 10AM service.

After the Fri. service, Charles' funeral cortege will pass by - for one last time - his beloved studios at 2107 Washington Blvd. that were recently designated a city historical landmark.

The funeral procession, accompanied by a 26-member motorcycle escort, will pause in front of the studios for one minute of remembrance before continuing its final journey to the cemetery.
"I love this place," Charles said in late April when Mayor Hahn gave him the historical landmark plaque. "It's the only home I've truly had for most of my professional career and I would never leave it," he proudly added.