Los Angeles — The warm voice of Ray Charles filled the neighborhood near his recording studio during a ceremony christening a post office in his name.
Postal employees display Charles' image.
As Charles' rendition of "America the Beautiful" rang out over speakers, family, friends and associates watched Wednesday as workers unveiled the new Ray Charles Station post office sign.
"My hopes are that the naming of this post office facility is only the first of many tributes for a man who started from nowhere to end up a national treasure and global phenomenon," said Rep. Diane Watson, D-Calif., who sponsored the federal bill to rename the post office.
Charles died in June 2004 of acute liver disease at age 73. His death ended a 58-year career in which he combined rock 'n' roll with gospel and soul to create a new style for hits such as "What'd I Say," "Hit the Road Jack," "Georgia on My Mind" and "I Can't Stop Loving You."
The Ray Charles Station is located just blocks away from the recording studio and business office where Charles produced "Georgia on My Mind" and his final album, the Grammy-winning "Genius Loves Company."
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