R&B legend Ray Charles has died at his Beverly Hills home aged 73. According to a spokesman his family and friends were at his bed side when he died.
Charles' had been out of the public arena for just under a year after a hip ailment caused him to cancel live dates. However he was in attendance back in April when his recording studio was designated a historic landmark by the city of Los Angeles, and more recently his agent indicated he might return to the stage this summer. Reports suggest the singer actually died from complications relating to liver disease.
Despite recent ill health the 12 times Grammy winner continued working, most recently on a collection of duets with performers such as Elton John, Norah Jones and Johnny Mathis - tracks from which are due to be showcased in the US via Starbucks' new music service.
Needless to say tributes have been pouring in from across the music world. Aretha Franklin described him as "a fabulous man" who introduced the world to "secular soul singing".
Country music singer Marty Stuart told reporters: "People remember the big hits and the visual image of him, but they forget what an innovator he was in the 1950s as a jazz musician."