“To be a musician, it’s like fulfilling a part of your life that’s irreplaceable. It’s something that I love to do and get a satisfaction from it.”
Born in 1925 in Louisiana, Renald Richard’s memories of childhood are filled with music. At the age of six, Richard started piano lessons at home.
“I played partially by ear and I learned pieces on the piano, so I guess music was in my system.”
At the age of 13, Richard started lessons on the trumpet, and later played it in the high school band. When studying music at Xavier University of Louisiana, he played in clubs on the city’s famous Bourbon Street and also toured with many bands. While playing in Houston, Richard was invited by Ray Charles, a musician, to play trumpet in his band.
“First of all, to be chosen by Ray Charles was an honor to me. I was proud of that and a little nervous.”
In time, Richard became Charles’ bandleader. Ray Charles was strict, says Richard, and he wanted the same from band members.
“He was a perfectionist and he was rather strict about his music.” Ray Charles said.
Richard toured all over the South and West with Ray Charles. Sitting in the back seat of the car, Richard wrote the song Got a Woman for Charles.
It became Ray Charles’s first number one radio song. The song put Ray Charles on the map.
Over the years, Richard has written many other songs that have been used by artists including Joe Tuner, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Elvis Presley to name a few.
Living now in Southern Florida, Richard is still active at the age of 97.
“I’m playing music mainly with the Marco Island Drummers and I’m playing with the Jazz Masters in Naples, so I do a lot of playing and I enjoy that.”
As you can see, Renald Richard’s musical days are by no means near an end.
27. Why does the writer mention Richard’s childhood memory?
A.To give suggestions on how to learn music. |
B.To show the role music played in his early life. |
C.To mention the unforgettable memory of childhood. |
D.To introduce the importance of having piano lessons. |
28. What does Ray Charles think of Richard?
A.Proud and serious. | B.Polite and honest. |
C.Respectful and strict. | D.Caring and hard-working. |
29. What does the underlined sentence “The song put Ray Charles on the map,” mean?
A.The song helped Ray Charles find his way. |
B.The song made Ray Charles very famous. |
C.Rays Charles’s music tour began with the song. |
D.Ray Charles made a lot of money from the song. |
30. What is the best title of the passage?
A.A life filled with music. | B.A music hero by nature. |
C.A choice of a musician. | D.A musical tour with bands. |