Maina Kageni recalls hosting James Ingram and his wife in his touching tribute to the fallen RnB singer

Celebrated American R&B singer and songwriter James Ingram died in Los Angeles at the age of 66. Tributes from fans and friends have been pouring in since his death was announced.

Entertainment news site TMZ said James Ingram had been suffering from brain cancer. The singer had largely stepped away from music in recent years.

Ingram won various prestigious awards over the course of his career – including two Grammy awards and an Oscar nomination. He boasts of several hit songs such as ‘Baby Come To Me’ , ‘I Don’t Have The Heart’.

What a songwriter

Maina Kageni eulogized the fallen RnB superstar in a lengthy post on social media. The Classic FM presenter recalled hosting Ingram on his show in his tribute to him.

“James Edward Ingram….. what a VOICE!!! What a songwriter!! You told me that a songwriter with an ear for a killer melody was a songwriter after your own heart…. aaahhh…. you’re gone…. couples met through your music as “Party Animals”, broke up when you told them that “There’s No Easy Way (To Break Somebody’s Heart)”, got back together when you and Linda Ronstadt were looking for somebody “Somewhere Out There”… they fell in love again when you promised them that they’d be together “Forever More”…. they got married to your music… they promised ” One Hundred Ways” to love each other… You said to me that your biggest regret was never working with Babyface…. Only God knows why…. that would have been too much to take!!!!!!! But you worked with the best (Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Linda Ronstadt, Michael McDonald)…. You had a voice that resonated through generations because, forget Reggae for now, but because NOBODY CAN STOP A GREAT SONGWRITER!!! You came to Kenya, came onto my show with your beautiful wife Debra, who told me that she couldn’t stand your singing all over the house!!! Can’t win ’em all, can you? ??? I’m sad that you’re gone, mostly because YOU WERE THE SOUNDTRACK TO MY LIFE!!! But you made my little world a lot better… and a whole lot bigger… Thank you, Mr Ingram… “I Don’t Have The Heart” to say goodbye…… but I pray that you get the just reward your gift gave us….. you trusted your art, your voice and YOURSELF!!! I trust that you’ll be good… after all, like you sang, “Yah Mo Be There”!!!!!! Rest well, JAMES INGRAM…. rest well…. and THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC!!!!!!!!! #RIPJamesIngram #ThankYouForTheMusic #RIP”

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