After the movie “Ray” came out, it’s no more a secret the late great Ray Charles loved himself some women. Decades later, one of his alleged longtime mistresses, Marci Soto, wrote a tell-all book and revealed that she did Mr. Charles dirty. This book has some people hot! Who knows what her motivation was/is. But like all writers, they presumably want to gain a profit.  Find out what she did and why below.

They Reportedly Couple Became A Secret Item in 1968

Allegedly, the couple became a secret item in 1968 when Ray was married to his wife, Della, and was a major R&B and Soul artist. Being a huge fan, Marci Soto convinced Ray’s manager to set up a date and she said they had sex that night. The couple reportedly enjoyed an on/off romance over the years.

Word On The Old School Curb Is That She Robbed Him Blind

As per Soto’s book, she robbed him blind:

“I certainly didn’t feel like I was robbing the blind. I felt like he was ready to do something he should have done years earlier – pay off my house.” Soto also reveals she once aborted Charles’ baby-and never told him. Wow! She adds, “I didn’t even tell Ray – there was no reason to know. I definitely wasn’t having a baby.”

Our take on this…we assume she did it for the money. There was nothing to gain from this but to tell her story, but there’s so much “shock” within the book, that it seems the approach was to create shock value. I remember something Oprah Winfrey said many years ago on her talk show, if you can look at a situation and deal with the worst thing that can happen and still be ok with it, then let that determine whether you’re going to do it or not. If Ray were here to look at it that way, we can only wonder what his response would be.

The post So Foul: Ray Charles’ ‘Mistress’ Revealed What She Stole From Him And Why appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

After the movie “Ray” came out, it’s no more a secret the late great Ray Charles loved himself some women. Decades later, one of his alleged longtime mistresses, Marci Soto, wrote a tell-all book and revealed that she did Mr. Charles dirty. This book has some people hot! Who knows what her motivation was/is. But like all writers, they presumably want to gain a profit.  Find out what she did and why below.

They Reportedly Couple Became A Secret Item in 1968

Allegedly, the couple became a secret item in 1968 when Ray was married to his wife, Della, and was a major R&B and Soul artist. Being a huge fan, Marci Soto convinced Ray’s manager to set up a date and she said they had sex that night. The couple reportedly enjoyed an on/off romance over the years.

Word On The Old School Curb Is That She Robbed Him Blind

As per Soto’s book, she robbed him blind:

“I certainly didn’t feel like I was robbing the blind. I felt like he was ready to do something he should have done years earlier – pay off my house.” Soto also reveals she once aborted Charles’ baby-and never told him. Wow! She adds, “I didn’t even tell Ray – there was no reason to know. I definitely wasn’t having a baby.”

Our take on this…we assume she did it for the money. There was nothing to gain from this but to tell her story, but there’s so much “shock” within the book, that it seems the approach was to create shock value. I remember something Oprah Winfrey said many years ago on her talk show, if you can look at a situation and deal with the worst thing that can happen and still be ok with it, then let that determine whether you’re going to do it or not. If Ray were here to look at it that way, we can only wonder what his response would be.

The post So Foul: Ray Charles’s ‘Mistress’ Revealed What She Stole From Him And Why appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

After the movie “Ray” came out, it’s no more a secret the late great Ray Charles loved himself some women. Decades later, one of his alleged longtime mistresses, Marci Soto, wrote a tell-all book and revealed that she did Mr. Charles dirty. This book has some people hot! Who knows what her motivation was/is. But like all writers, they presumably want to gain a profit.  Find out what she did and why below.

They Reportedly Couple Became A Secret Item in 1968

Allegedly, the couple became a secret item in 1968 when Ray was married to his wife, Della, and was a major R&B and Soul artist. Being a huge fan, Marci Soto convinced Ray’s manager to set up a date and she said they had sex that night. The couple reportedly enjoyed an on/off romance over the years.

Word On The Old School Curb Is That She Robbed Him Blind

As per Soto’s book, she robbed him blind:

“I certainly didn’t feel like I was robbing the blind. I felt like he was ready to do something he should have done years earlier – pay off my house.” Soto also reveals she once aborted Charles’ baby-and never told him. Wow! She adds, “I didn’t even tell Ray – there was no reason to know. I definitely wasn’t having a baby.”

Our take on this…we assume she did it for the money. There was nothing to gain from this but to tell her story, but there’s so much “shock” within the book, that it seems the approach was to create shock value. I remember something Oprah Winfrey said many years ago on her talk show, if you can look at a situation and deal with the worst thing that can happen and still be ok with it, then let that determine whether you’re going to do it or not. If Ray were here to look at it that way, we can only wonder what his response would be.

The post So Foul: Ray Charles’s ‘Mistress’ Revealed What She Stole From Him And Why appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Ever since the passing of our beloved Aretha Franklin in 2018, many interesting details surfaced, or resurfaced about her family. This go ’round, the topic of her famous pops, Rev. C.L. Franklin — and what Ray Charles once revealed about him — will probably make you say, “Say what now?!! Come again?” At least that’s what it did to us.

Anywho, Ray Charles once exposed shocking details of the wild sex parties Rev. Franklin (pictured below with Aretha) reportedly had with his fellow church folk. Don’t take our word for it though, see what Mr. Charles revealed in a biographical book…

Embed from Getty Images

Ray Charles Spilled The Beans About Aretha’s Dad

In an interview for the biography, “Respect: The Life Of Aretha Franklin,” Ray Charles chopped it up with the book’s author, David Ritz, about his days hanging out with his friend, C.L. Franklin.

Aretha’s dad was a well respected preacher, who rubbed elbows with soul artists- like Ray Charles, Billy Preston and several Motown stars- as well as civil rights activists and spiritual leaders- including Dr, Martin Luther King, with whom he was great friends . Many stars oftentimes visited C.L.’s Detroit home and along the way, the reverend developed a reputation for being the ‘promiscuous preacher’ who reportedly cheated on his wife (Aretha’s mother) many times.

Embed from Getty Images

Back then, Ray Charles was known for being a wild cat who had plenty of women, but he admitted that even he was outdone by the alleged sex parties C.L. and his church members threw. According to the biography, Charles says that when he visited C.L.’s New Bethel Church in the after-hours, he realized the church was pretty much a worshipping spot by day, but a haven for sex orgies by night:

“When it came to pure heart singing, they were motherfu***s. When it came to pure sex, they were wilder than me – and that’s saying something. In those days I had a thing for orgies, but I had to be the only cat in the room with two or three chicks.”

“The gospel people didn’t think that way,” Charles continued. “The cats liked it with the cats and the chicks liked it with the chicks and no one minded mixing it up this way or that. I got a kick outta seeing how God’s people were going for it hard and heavy every which way. I was just surprised to see how loose they were.”

Singer, Billy Preston, Agreed With Ray

“Nothing From Nothing” soul singer, Billy Preston, also backed Ray’s claims in the book. Preston was cool with C.L. Franklin back then and here’s what he told Ritz about those days:

“It was the church crowd where the vibe was wide open. It was anything goes. In the community outside the church, gay men were called sissies. But inside the church, a lot of the music was created by gay men. In the church you were almost proud to be part of the gay elite of musicians.” -Billy Preston

Franklin Family Controversies

There have always been controversies surrounding C.L. Franklin. Aretha joined her father’s traveling gospel ministry at age 12. However, according to what her brother, Cecil,  all of his siblings – including Aretha – were exposed to some form of drinking and/or drug activity while living with their father, who raised them as a single parent after their mom left him:

Via Daily Mail: [Cecil] admitted that his father [C.L. Franklin] and siblings had all operated in a world of stimulants. “Whether it’s wine, whiskey or weed, the stuff has always been around us.”

Throughout the years, many have wondered if Aretha’s past issues with men- such as having a baby at 12 and another at 14 years old, abusive relationships, and more- were the result of the fast life she witnessed under the helm of her famous pops. That’s a valid assumption, but one thing is for certain: throughout it all, Aretha found a way to reach a level of greatness that very few get to see in their lifetimes. Her life story, and that of her renowned Father, are reminders that celebrities aren’t perfect people…they’re simply perfectly flawed human beings, just like the rest of us.

The post Ray Charles Exposed What Aretha’s Preacher-Dad Reportedly Did At Secret ‘Wild Parties’ appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

The life of one of Ray Charles’ 12 children, Sheila Raye Charles, proved that being the daughter of an icon doesn’t make one exempt from leading a tumultuous lifestyle. Some years ago, Sheila (now deceased) shared her painful story of struggles with her Father and how she ended up spending years in prison.

THE MANY STRUGGLES OF SHIELA RAYE CHARLES THAT LANDED HER IN FEDERAL PRISON

The life Sheila Raye Charles lived is not what many would expect. She revealed that her prior 20-year crack cocaine addiction resulted in three separate stints in federal prison on crack-related charges. Sheila also revealed she had five children by four men, but lost custody of all of them due to her drug abuse, which caused her son to be born prematurely, weighing only 14 ounces:

“I denied my children. Try living with that! I tell you it cannot be done. That is why I chose death – the death found inside rock (crack) and pipe. Behind concrete and bars, I fought for life.” -Sheila Raye Charles

SHEILA ON HER DADDY ABANDONMENT ISSUES

Sheila said she didn’t meet her dad, Ray Charles, until the age of 14. She was sexually abused as a child. Two years later, she was in a serious car accident that lodged her right eye into the back of her skull, taking her years to recover.

A few years later, she tried to follow her dad’s musical footsteps, with her dad’s help. Although she managed to tour with DeBarge and record at Prince’s Paisley Park studio once, her career was unsuccessful. She still struggled with daddy abandonment issues stemming from childhood, and spent years trying to break free from his shadow…eventually ending up on crack.

Sheila once confessed that one of her lowest points was just before her third prison stint. Her Mother, Sandra Jean Betts, had died. Her dad, Ray Charles, was no longer returning her calls, said Sheila.

SADLY, SHE PASSED AWAY, BUT NOT BEFORE TURNING HER LIFE AROUND

Years after detailing her struggles publicly, Sheila Raye Charles passed way in 2017 at age 53, following a lengthy battle with breast cancer. Thankfully, prior to her passing, she had long since kicked her drug addiction. rekindled her singing career, and reconnected with some of her children. FYI: the 14 ounce baby is now a 100% healthy young man.

Sheila married her husband, Michael “Tony” Steptoe, in 2010 and became a devout Christian. She and Tony- a former drug dealer who changed his life after being released from prison in 2008- developed One Way Up Prison Ministry, where they used their life stories to encourage prison inmates that they, too, can make a change for the better. They also spoke at many churches, service organizations, and recovery programs.

Sheila Raye once opened up one of her prison speaking engagements by stating:

“I know some of you out there are thinking, ‘Oh, she’s Ray Charles’s daughter; what could she have possibly been through?’ It is only by the grace of God that I’m not sitting in that chair right now.”

Job well done Sheila. Rest on queen.

Source1, Source2, Source3

The post Before Her Death, Daughter Of Ray Charles Detailed Why She Spent Years In Federal Prison appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Ever since the passing of our beloved Aretha Franklin in 2018, many interesting details surfaced, or resurfaced about her family. This go ’round, the topic of her famous pops, Rev. C.L. Franklin — and what Ray Charles once revealed about him — will probably make you say, “Say what now?!! Come again?” At least that’s what it did to us.

Anywho, Ray Charles once exposed shocking details of the wild sex parties Rev. Franklin (pictured below with Aretha) reportedly had with his fellow church folk. Don’t take our word for it though, see what Mr. Charles revealed in a biographical book…

Embed from Getty Images

Ray Charles Spilled The Beans About Aretha’s Dad

In an interview for the biography, “Respect: The Life Of Aretha Franklin,” Ray Charles chopped it up with the book’s author, David Ritz, about his days hanging out with his friend, C.L. Franklin.

Aretha’s dad was a well respected preacher, who rubbed elbows with soul artists- like Ray Charles, Billy Preston and several Motown stars- as well as civil rights activists and spiritual leaders- including Dr, Martin Luther King, with whom he was great friends . Many stars oftentimes visited C.L.’s Detroit home and along the way, the reverend developed a reputation for being the ‘promiscuous preacher’ who reportedly cheated on his wife (Aretha’s mother) many times.

Embed from Getty Images

Back then, Ray Charles was known for being a wild cat who had plenty of women, but he admitted that even he was outdone by the alleged sex parties C.L. and his church members threw. According to the biography, Charles says that when he visited C.L.’s New Bethel Church in the after-hours, he realized the church was pretty much a worshipping spot by day, but a haven for sex orgies by night:

“When it came to pure heart singing, they were motherfu***s. When it came to pure sex, they were wilder than me – and that’s saying something. In those days I had a thing for orgies, but I had to be the only cat in the room with two or three chicks.”

“The gospel people didn’t think that way,” Charles continued. “The cats liked it with the cats and the chicks liked it with the chicks and no one minded mixing it up this way or that. I got a kick outta seeing how God’s people were going for it hard and heavy every which way. I was just surprised to see how loose they were.”

Singer, Billy Preston, Agreed With Ray

“Nothing From Nothing” soul singer, Billy Preston, also backed Ray’s claims in the book. Preston was cool with C.L. Franklin back then and here’s what he told Ritz about those days:

“It was the church crowd where the vibe was wide open. It was anything goes. In the community outside the church, gay men were called sissies. But inside the church, a lot of the music was created by gay men. In the church you were almost proud to be part of the gay elite of musicians.” -Billy Preston

Franklin Family Controversies

There have always been controversies surrounding C.L. Franklin. Aretha joined her father’s traveling gospel ministry at age 12. However, according to what her brother, Cecil,  all of his siblings – including Aretha – were exposed to some form of drinking and/or drug activity while living with their father, who raised them as a single parent after their mom left him:

Via Daily Mail: [Cecil] admitted that his father [C.L. Franklin] and siblings had all operated in a world of stimulants. “Whether it’s wine, whiskey or weed, the stuff has always been around us.”

Throughout the years, many have wondered if Aretha’s past issues with men- such as having a baby at 12 and another at 14 years old, abusive relationships, and more- were the result of the fast life she witnessed under the helm of her famous pops. That’s a valid assumption, but one thing is for certain: throughout it all, Aretha found a way to reach a level of greatness that very few get to see in their lifetimes. Her life story, and that of her renowned Father, are reminders that celebrities aren’t perfect people…they’re simply perfectly flawed human beings, just like the rest of us.

The post Ray Charles Exposed What Aretha’s Preacher Dad Reportedly Did At Secret Wild Parties appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

As we continue to celebrate the life and legacy of our beloved Aretha Franklin, many interesting details have surfaced about her and her fam’ that many never knew. This go ’round, the topic of her famous pops, Rev. C.L. Franklin (pictured above with his two daughters), and what Ray Charles once revealed about him, will probably have you going, “Say what now?!!”

At least that’s what it did for us when we first found out. Anywho, Ray Charles once exposed shocking details of the wild sex parties Rev. Franklin reportedly had with his fellow church folk. Don’t take our word for it though, see what Mr. Charles revealed in a biographical book…

Ray Charles Spilled The Beans About Aretha’s Dad

In an interview for the biography, “Respect: The Life Of Aretha Franklin,” Ray Charles chopped it up with the book’s author, David Ritz, about his days hanging out with his friend, C.L. Franklin.

Aretha’s dad was a well respected preacher, who rubbed elbows with soul artists- like Ray Charles, Billy Preston and several Motown stars- as well as civil rights activists and spiritual leaders- including Dr, Martin Luther King, with whom he was great friends . Many stars oftentimes visited C.L.’s Detroit home and along the way, the reverend developed a reputation for being the ‘promiscuous preacher’ who reportedly cheated on his wife (Aretha’s mother) many times.

Embed from Getty Images

Back then, Ray Charles was known for being a wild cat who had plenty of women, but he admitted that even he was outdone by the alleged sex parties C.L. and his church members threw. According to Ritz, Charles says that when he visited C.L.’s New Bethel Church in the after hours, he realized that the church was pretty much a worshipping spot by day, but a haven for sex orgies by night:

“When it came to pure heart singing, they were motherfu***s. When it came to pure sex, they were wilder than me – and that’s saying something. In those days I had a thing for orgies, but I had to be the only cat in the room with two or three chicks.”

“The gospel people didn’t think that way,” Charles continued. “The cats liked it with the cats and the chicks liked it with the chicks and no one minded mixing it up this way or that. I got a kick outta seeing how God’s people were going for it hard and heavy every which way. I was just surprised to see how loose they were.”

Singer, Billy Preston, Agreed With Ray

“Nothing From Nothing” soul singer, Billy Preston, also backed up Ray’s claims in the book. Preston was cool with C.L. Franklin back then and here’s what he told Ritz about that time:

“It was the church crowd where the vibe was wide open. It was anything goes. In the community outside the church, gay men were called sissies. But inside the church, a lot of the music was created by gay men. In the church you were almost proud to be part of the gay elite of musicians.”

Franklin Family Controversies

There have always been controversies surrounding C.L. Franklin. Aretha joined her father’s traveling gospel ministry at age 12. However, according to what her brother, Cecil, stated in the Ritz’s biography, she and the rest of his siblings were all exposed to some form of drinking and/or drug activity while living with their father, who raised them as a single parent after their mom left him:

Via Daily Mail: [Cecil] admitted that his father [C.L. Franklin] and siblings had all operated in a world of stimulants. “Whether it’s wine, whiskey or weed, the stuff has always been around us.”

Throughout the years, many have wondered if Aretha’s past issues with men- such as having a baby at 12 and another at 14 years old, abusive relationships, and more- were the result of the fast life she witnessed under the helm of her famous pops. That’s a valid assumption, but one thing is for certain, throughout it all, Aretha found a way to reach a level of greatness that very few get to see in their lifetimes. Her life story, and that of her renowned Father, are reminders that celebrities have attained greatness in their careers. But that doesn’t make them perfect people. They’re simply perfectly flawed human beings, just like the rest of us.

The post Ray Charles Exposed What Aretha’s Preacher Dad Reportedly Did At Wild Secret Parties appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Embed from Getty Images

Details Of Ray Charles’ Grandson’s Death

Details surrounding his passing are extremely suspect and at this time, the only thing the Pentagon has stated is that he died from a ‘non-combat related incident.’ According to NBC San Diego News, Sgt. Robinson’s mother, Synthia, said he was found in a chair unresponsive on Thursday (May 24) morning before his regular workout. Conrad’s death was still under investigation at the time of the announcement.

Lt. Col. Kevin Kelly, the 261st Medical Battalion out of Fort Bragg, N.C, where Sgt. Conrad Robinson was assigned, released the following statement:

Via NBC7 San Diego: “We’re extremely saddened by the death Staff Sgt. Conrad Robinson,” Lt. Col. Kevin Kelly said. “Staff Sgt. Robinson was known around the battalion for his infectious smile, humor and kind heart. He was the definition of selfless service and took the time every day to listen and mentor Soldiers. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”

Sgt. Robinson died while serving his very last mission as an 18 year veteran. He was deployed on peace mission as a preventive medicine specialist for Operation Joint Guardian, in conjunction with NATO, which was helping to secure the Serbian province.

Photo Of Ray Charles Son, Wife, & Grandkids

Ray’s Daughter Asks For Prayers

It was widely unknown that Sgt. Robinson was Ray’s and Della’s grandchild, until Ray’s daughter, Raenee Robinson, announced the funeral services for her nephew on Tuesday, June, 5, 2018:

His Mother Speaks Out

Sgt. Conrad’s mother spoke to the local news and expressed her heartbreak:

“I still can’t believe it,” she told NBC 7. “I just can’t believe that he is gone. … He’s the type of son that you know calls mom checks up on mom,” Synthia said. “Every single Mother’s Day Conrad would send me flowers.” […] This year, however, Robinson gave a charm ring that Synthia turned into a necklace. She didn’t know that it would be the last Mother’s Day present he would give her. “This charm necklace is going to be close to my heart for him because he’s not going to be here,” she said through tears. […] “He was the best son, husband, father, caring person — would do anything for anybody.”

His Wife & Kids

Conrad was a devoted family man and he dreaded having to leave his wife, Yolanda, and their 5 and 10 year old daughters for so long this year (2018), but he was grateful they understood his job. Here’s what he posted in January:

“Well it’s a new year but I already know how this year is going to be (😡💩). Tomorrow I have to go down to San Antonio for a month, than come back and 2 weeks later hop on a bird and take off for 9 months. So I’ll only be with my family for 2 months but I know that they understand and we will make it through this together.”

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=965693036827646&set=a.917318111665139.1073741826.100001608752202&type=3&theater

The family of four resided in Los Angeles, CA, but Sgt. Conrad Robinson was from San Marcos, TX, where his family still lives. We sincerely hope their 2 beautiful daughters one day find comfort in knowing that their father loved them more than life itself.

Conrad Robinson was preceded in death by his father, David Robinson, who passed away at age 54 in 2013.

May the brave grandson of Ray Charles Robinson and Della Beatrice Howard Robinson rest peacefully.

The post Ray Charles’ Grandson Dies Suspiciously, Mom Give Details appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

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The post Ray Charles’ DAUGHTER Shockingly Reveals WHY She Spent YEARS In PRISON! appeared first on I Love Old School Music.