Ray Charles passing at the age of 73 marks the end of an era. Universally credited as one of the founding fathers of soul, his impact on R&B, Rock and Jazz can't be understated. He inspired everyone from the Temptations to the Beatles, and during the Keener years, he made 14 chart appearances on the WKNR Music Guide, not including the 50s smash What'd I Say, which provided the background for those incomparable Detroit Dragway commercials. In the coming days, much will be written about his courage, his artistry and his influence, but few will surpass Susan Whitall's outstanding piece in the Detroit News. During his final months, Charles was working on an album of duets with the likes of Nora Jones, Natalie Cole, Elton John, BEAU King and others. Like just about everything else in his eclectic career, the CD cuts across all genres. It's a fitting final tribute to an American Icon. For those who want a taste, Here's a cut he recorded with Van Morrison.