Ray Charles - 'Birth of the Blues' (Sammy Davis, Jr. Tribute) | 1987 Kennedy Center Honors

Ray Charles, an Honoree himself from the previous year, performs Birth of the Blues as a tribute to 1987 Honoree Sammy Davis Jr. -- or as Ray calls him, "Mr. Wonderful." This all-out rendition of "Birth of the Blues" is accompanied by big band and orchestra pieces, and builds up to a big finish.

The Kennedy Center Honors is an annual honor given to those in the performing arts for their lifetime of contributions to American culture.

#KCHonors #RayCharles #SammyDavisJr #KennedyCenter #CBS

[paulsilas]

There will never be another Sammy Davis Jr & there's only one Ray Charles.

[Channel-cmyc]

They are both gone now and the world miss’s them both dearly!

[RandyH]

One legends tribute to another legend! Wonderful!!

[marcseyes]

BRO THIS BAND IS SO COOL THE INSTURMENTAL SOUNDS SO MAGICAL

[Crisis.Knight]

Damn! Music from this people deserves that in this days comes to more public. You easily can see the feeling here. Thanks again.

[valbrambila]

It's really amazing to me see a colorful video with the great Ray Charles.
Love it!

[OjonugwaMansu]

Awww look at his skinny old man legs dancing 😂♥️♥️ I love ray Man I love him

[sharonaldridge]

Alright now..beautiful. 'Birth of the Blues'..ummm. <3

[andreaseay]

It's like they knew he would be a legend saying the current year during the intro

[joshuajohnson]

3:13 my favourite part, the falsetto part. It really makes me die laughing 🤣😂.

birth to the

[NumberIrishlad]

How come ray charles bops all around as he performs? Nothing wrong with it, Im just curious~