The music world has lost another giant in the industry, Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter James Ingram has died of brain cancer at the age of 66. Lifetime friend Debbie Allen confirmed the sad news on social media saying that he was now with the “celestial choir”.
I have lost my dearest friend and creative partner James Ingram to the Celestial Choir. He will always be cherished, loved and remembered for his genius, his love of family and his humanity. I am blessed to have been so close. We will forever speak his name.?? pic.twitter.com/TDJfpbbJWa
— Debbie Allen (@msdebbieallen) January 29, 2019
James was nominated for 14 Grammy Awards, winning for best male R&B performance for his song "One Hundred Ways" in 1981 and best R&B performance for a duo or group in 1984 for Yah Mo Be There. His duet with Patti Austin, "How Do You Keep the Music Playing," earned an Oscar nomination for best original song in 1983. Over the course of his illustrious career, he had successful collaborations with Linda Ronstadt, Quincy Jones, Barry White and Dolly Parton. He co-wrote Michael Jackson's hit song Pretty Young Thing with Quincy Jones. Quincy Jones described him in his tribute on Twitter, as being like a younger brother to him.
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
Ingram was also nominated for two Golden Globe Awards -- one in 1994 for best original song for "The Day I Fall in Love" and again in the same category the following year for "Look What Love Has Done."
There is no doubt that he will live on through his music. In tribute, his much-loved duet with Linda Ronstadt, Somewhere Out There, which featured on the soundtrack of the animated film, An American Tail. It was one of the late artist's biggest chart successes.
May you rest in peace Jame Ingram.
