Ray Charles In The South
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All on Tue May 30 08:15:48 2023
In 1964, Charles had a single white man -- guitarist Don Peake -- in his band. That lineup's first show was scheduled in Montgomery, Alabama -- a state governed by George Wallace, who insisted upon "Segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation
forever."
As the Ray Charles Orchestra bus approached their venue, it was stopped by "grim-faced, gun-carrying state troopers" who wanted "the white boy."
"Tell them he's Spanish," Charles said to his manager, "Maybe the crackers will go for it." Questioned by the troopers, Peake -- who had grown up in LA -- babbled Spanish-sounding gibberish.
Peake was allowed to remain on the bus and perform with the band -- but he stayed in the back onstage and continued the tour in dark face-paint. Author Kent Hartman believes Charles had saved his guitarist's life on this occasion.
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