Fans line up for Ray Charles memorial viewing in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ With his trademark dark glasses on and a baby grand by his side, Ray Charles was mourned by thousands who walked a long red carpet past his open casket. <br/><br/>Many of the more than

Friday, June 18th 2004, 5:59 am

By: News On 6

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ With his trademark dark glasses on and a baby grand by his side, Ray Charles was mourned by thousands who walked a long red carpet past his open casket.

Many of the more than 5,000 people who attended Thursday's public viewing for the Grammy-winning musician stopped outside to sign guestbooks or write a message on a large poster of Charles in performance.

The music was all Charles, who died last week at 73, singing such favorites as ``I Can't Stop Loving You'' and ``Born to Lose.''

His initials were spelled out in a giant R and C made from white chrysanthemums and carnations, and one of Charles' colorful jackets rested on the empty piano bench.

Stevie Wonder, B.B. King and Willie Nelson were among the stars set to bid the blind musician goodbye at a private ceremony Friday at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Los Angeles.

The Rev. Charles Peters, 71, of Gardena, attended the viewing with a robotic doll of Charles that moves and sings while the hands tap on a small piano.

``He made a lot of people happy,'' Peters said of Charles, known for the cheerfulness of his songs such as ``Georgia On My Mind'' and ``What'd I Say.''

``He was just an outstanding performer, and he was an outstanding individual because he overcame obstacles, when you realize the man was blind since the age of 7. ... I'm here to pay my respects.''