MANILA, Philippines — Noted artists from the music industry paid tribute to American R&B singer James Ingram as he passed away on Wednesday at the age of 66.
READ: R&B star James Ingram passes away at 66
Pop/rock singer-songwriter Richard Marx who popularized “Right Here Waiting” was among the musicians who penned their messages for the late singer via their social media accounts.
“RIP sweet James Ingram. Hearing your voice sing words and notes I made up is a gift I will cherish always. And I will never forget the laughs,” Marx wrote.
RIP sweet James Ingram. Hearing your voice sing words and notes I made up is a gift I will cherish always. And I will never forget the laughs.
— Richard Marx (@richardmarx) January 29, 2019
Record producer, musician and composer Quincy Jones also mourned the death of his “baby brother” as he posted a video Ingram performing his hit song “Just Once.”
“There are no words to convey how much my [heart] aches with the news of the passing of my baby brother, James Ingram,” Jones wrote.
“With that soulful, whisky sounding voice, James was simply magical. He was, & always will be, beyond compare. Rest In Peace my baby bro…You’ll be in my [heart] forever,” he added.
There are no words to convey how much my ❤️ aches with the news of the passing of my baby brother, James Ingram. With that soulful, whisky sounding voice, James was simply magical. He was, & always will be, beyond compare. Rest In Peace my baby bro…You’ll be in my ❤️ forever pic.twitter.com/oZtA9h8uZR
— Quincy Jones (@QuincyDJones) January 29, 2019
Grammy-nominated singer-actress Lea Salonga also paid tribute to the R&B singer with a tweet that read: “Rest In Peace, James Ingram. It was such an honor and pleasure to get to share the stage with you in my lifetime.”
Rest In Peace, James Ingram. It was such an honor and pleasure to get to share the stage with you in my lifetime.
— Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) January 30, 2019
Salonga shared the stage with Ingram when he visited the Philippines for a two-night concert at the Araneta Coliseum in 2012.
American singer-songwriter Jody Watley, on the other hand, recounted her first encounter with Ingram.
She said in a tweet, “So saddened to hear this. First met James when I was in Shalamar, he played on ‘Friends’ album and co-wrote on another.”
So saddened to hear this. First met James when I was in Shalamar, he played on “Friends” album and co-wrote on another. Such a talent vocally and musically, a family man, witty and wise. My condolences to his family and friends 🙏🏽✨😔 Rest in Heaven James Ingram. https://t.co/Md3Wzdccw3
— JODY WATLEY (@jodywatley) January 29, 2019
“Such a talent vocally and musically, a family man, witty and wise. My condolences to his family and friends. Rest in Heaven James Ingram,” she further wrote.
American singer-songwriter Siedah Garrett, who has written songs and backing vocals for Michael Jackson, Madonna, Jennifer Hudson, among others, also paid tribute to Ingram.
She shared on Twitter a photo with the late singer and said, “R.I.P. James Ingram. Writing with you, touring with you, recording with you, laughing with you…I will miss you, one hundred ways.”
R.I.P. James Ingram.
Writing with you, touring with you, recording with you, laughing with you…I will miss you, one hundred ways. @JamesIngram #RIPJamesIngram #RIP #oneofakind #genius #pyt pic.twitter.com/zuHORq2t76— SIEDAH GARRETT (@SIEDAHGARRETT) January 29, 2019
R&B singer Kenny Lattimore was all praises for Ingram’s talent in music, saying “Today I celebrate the life of James Ingram. His unmistakable voice and songwriting genius set a standard of excellence for me…”
Today I celebrate the life of James Ingram. His unmistakable voice and songwriting genius set a standard of excellence for me… James Ingram paved the way for me to sing love songs with intent and authenticity. 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/L0cMK2s1UV
— Kenny Lattimore (@kennylattimore) January 29, 2019
Lattimore added, “James Ingram paved the way for me to sing love songs with intent and authenticity.”
Ingram is a two-time Grammy winner, bagging the best male R&B performance for his song “One Hundred Ways” in 1981 and best R&B performance by a duo or group with vocals for “Yah Mo B There,” a duet with Michael McDonald, in 1985.
He popularized songs like “Just Once,” “Somewhere Out There,” “Baby Come to Me,” “There’s No Easy Way,” among others. /muf