Ray Charles

Ray Charles News
Credits: Far Out / Alamy
Full Name
Ray Charles Robinson Sr.
Born
September 23rd, 1930
Height
5ft 9in
Hometown
Greenville, Florida, United States
Net Worth
Estimated $100 million
Partner
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson
Family
Ray Charles was born in Albany, Georgia, and raised in Greenville, Florida, by his mother, Aretha Robinson. He lost his sight completely by the age of seven, likely due to glaucoma. Charles was married twice, most notably to Della Beatrice Howard Robinson, with whom he had three sons. He fathered 12 children with 10 different women.
Years Active
1947–2004
Top Tracks
'Georgia on My Mind', 'Hit the Road Jack', 'What'd I Say', 'I Can't Stop Loving You', 'Unchain My Heart'
Top Albums
The Genius of Ray Charles, Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music, The Genius Sings the Blues, Ingredients in a Recipe for Soul, Genius + Soul = Jazz
Records Sold
More than 75 million
Fun Facts
Ray Charles was among the first artists to successfully blend gospel music with rhythm and blues, helping establish soul music as a major genre in the 1950s. His landmark 1962 album Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music shattered racial and musical boundaries by reinterpreting country songs through the lens of soul and pop, becoming one of the most influential crossover albums ever released. Ray Charles was one of the inaugural inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1987.
Related Artists
Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, B.B. King, James Brown

Ray Charles was an American singer, songwriter, pianist and bandleader whose pioneering fusion of gospel, blues, jazz, country and rhythm and blues helped create the sound of soul music.

Blinded in childhood, Charles overcame immense personal challenges to become one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. During a career spanning nearly six decades, he recorded timeless classics including ‘What’d I Say’, ‘Georgia on My Mind’, ‘Hit the Road Jack’, ‘I Can’t Stop Loving You’ and ‘Unchain My Heart’.

His innovative approach to music broke down racial and genre barriers, influencing generations of artists across soul, rock, pop, country and jazz. Often referred to as “The Genius”, Charles remains one of the most celebrated figures in popular music history.

Ray Charles News

More About Ray Charles

Ray Charles was an American singer, pianist and songwriter widely regarded as one of the pioneers of soul music, known for classics including 'Georgia on My Mind', 'Hit the Road Jack' and 'What'd I Say'.
Ray Charles revolutionised popular music by combining gospel, blues, jazz, country and rhythm and blues into a groundbreaking sound that helped define soul music and influenced countless artists across multiple genres.
Ray Charles is best known for songs including 'Georgia on My Mind', 'Hit the Road Jack', 'What'd I Say', 'I Can't Stop Loving You' and 'Unchain My Heart'.
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