Week 2 Writing Blog: "The Last Days of Brother Ray"

In The Last Days of Brother Ray, David Ritz reflects on his life-changing relationship and chronicles –with what I think is completely truthful and honest material – Ray Charles last days battling cancer. The quotes and interactions seem so believable that I can vividly picture the scene. I can imagine Mr. Charles defiantly defending every musical and financial decision with infinite swagger while also finding a healthy balance of humility and confidence in his dying days.

“Ray doesn't fear God. If anything, God fears Ray.” This was the epiphany David Ritz had on a potentially dangerous plane ride to Chicago in 1975. This quote doesn’t literally capture Ray Charles mentality but it captures his philosophy in life. Though he grew up in the influence of the church, his blindness and mother’s death fostered an intense sense of self-sufficiency that carried him through days of hardship and trial – when he was broke and band-less. So although the church influenced his morals and his music, he mentions that he wasn’t overly fond of the thought of Jesus as his savior. At one point he mentions, “Jesus was Jewish, and if he couldn’t convince his own people he was the messiah, why should I be convinced?”

However, cancer has the ability the change everything physically and also philosophically and Ray represents a man who has been humbled by trying times. Here was a man who held an “I don’t owe anyone, anything” attitude and that served him well throughout his career. As David Ritz points out, he made millions, toured the world by being Ray, by being “raw ass country.” No one gave him shit, and he took shit from nobody. But cancer and his newfound dedication to God gave him new perspective. Towards his last days, you find a weaker – but still sharp – Ray who is willing to deflect praise for himself and instead emphasizes the important influences in his life like Nat King Cole. His last days represent the coming of the full circle. He didn’t change because he remained ever true to himself. He just allowed himself to let others into his life to help him.