- Born
- 23 September 1930, Albany, Georgia, United States
- First work
- 1949: Confession Blues
- Peak
- 1954 to 1965 (estimated)
- Last work
- 2004: Genius Loves Company
- Died
- 10 June 2004, Beverly Hills, United States; aged 73; natural
Ray Charles
Music: singer, pianist, composer, bandleader, United States
Ray Charles was an American pianist, singer, and composer universally celebrated as a prime architect of soul music. Born in Albany, Georgia, in 1930 and raised in Florida, he lost his sight in early childhood but pursued music with singular determination. During the 1950s at Atlantic Records, he merged sacred gospel passion with secular blues in tracks like I've Got a Woman and What'd I Say. In 1962, he broke genre barriers again with Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music. With his unmistakable rasp and expressive piano delivery, Charles enjoyed decades as a global ambassador of American roots. He died in Beverly Hills in 2004.
Who else was born on 23 September or who died on 10 June.
Compare with Dean Martin Compare with someone else
Signature works
- I've Got a Woman 1954
- What'd I Say 1959
- Georgia on My Mind 1960
- Hit the Road Jack 1961
- Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music 1962
Honours
- Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, 1987
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, 1986
- Kennedy Center Honors, 1986
Groups: The Raelettes, Ray Charles and His Orchestra.