Ray Charles American singer, rock music performer Date of Birth: 23.09.1930 Country: USA

Biography of Ray Charles

Ray Charles Robinson, an American singer and rock musician, was born on September 23, 1930, in Albany, Georgia. His name serves as a classic example of the American dream. From a young age, his life was closely tied to music. His father, Bailey Robinson, was a mechanic, and his mother worked in a sawmill. During the Great Depression, the family moved to Gainesville, Florida. When Ray was five years old, his younger brother drowned in a washtub that his mother used for laundry. A year later, Ray went blind. The cause was attributed to glaucoma, but a definitive diagnosis was never made. He later recalled that his mother and music saved him.

From the age of three, Ray Charles began singing, imitating a tapper from a nearby café. He had a God-given talent. At a school for deaf and blind children, he learned to read words and music using the Braille system. He played multiple instruments, including trumpet, clarinet, organ, saxophone, and piano. He considered Chopin, Sibelius, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Art Tatum, and Artie Shaw as his teachers.

After becoming an orphan at the age of fifteen, Ray Charles formed his own country group in Florida. In 1948, he followed a sudden impulse and moved to Seattle with $600, where he formed the trio Maxim. During this period, Charles started using heroin. In the late 1940s, he settled in Los Angeles and recorded his first album. He signed a contract with the record label Atlantic and released several records, including the rhythm and blues hit "It Should've Been Me" and the rock gospel song "I Got a Woman" in 1954, which established him as an innovator who transformed the melancholic gospel genre into energetic rhythm and blues.

In the 1950s, Charles released numerous records that defined his signature style as a singer and pianist. Some of his notable songs from this period include "Greenbacks," "This Little Girl of Mine," "Hallelujah I Love Her So," and "What'd I Say." Recognizing that Atlantic Records would always prioritize R&B musicians, Charles decided to change labels and signed a contract with ABC-Paramount in 1959. In the early 1960s, he released his major soul hits, such as "Sticks and Stones," "Hit the Road, Jack," "Georgia On My Mind," and "Ruby." His song "What'd I Say" in 1959 made him a star, although some radio stations removed it from their playlists due to Charles' erotic voice. He soon performed at Carnegie Hall and the Newport Jazz Festival. During this period, he was chosen to perform the anthem of the state of Georgia, "Georgia On My Mind," written by Hoagy Carmichael, a Broadway classic from the 1930s and 1960s. Charles' rendition of "Georgia On My Mind" became a worldwide hit, and the name Georgia became a trendy girls' name.

Despite the existence of rigid racial barriers in the American showbiz industry, Ray Charles' expressive voice, virtuosic keyboard skills, and genuine charm won him love and success among both black and white listeners. In 1959, he released his famous song "What'd I Say," which marked the birth of soul music—a unique blend of rock, R&B, jazz, and country. Throughout his career, Charles expanded his genre range, incorporating various styles from country classics to old-fashioned romantic ballads, from rock and roll to contemporary pop hits.

During the golden years of his career, Charles recorded a famous version of the song "I Can't Stop Loving You" by the group "The Groundhogs," as well as his unique and mysterious variations of The Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby" and "Yesterday." His heartfelt expressions of sadness resonated with the American audience. Like Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles recorded prolifically, taking on any job available, such as recording soundtracks for films and acting in movies (most notably in "The Blues Brothers"), nurturing young talent (like Betty Carter), and exploring "new music" with multi-instrumentalist Arnold Koller and vibraphonist Milt Jackson (the Modern Jazz Quartet). However, his solo recordings from the late 1950s to the 1960s remain his trademark, many of which are still popular today despite their "sixties sound." Charles' performances showcase his deep artistic transformation, reminiscent of the teachings of Konstantin Stanislavski.

One of his notable songs, released the day after President John F. Kennedy's death, was the desperate and bitter "Busted," which hinted at the end of the anti-racist policies Kennedy had pursued with his untimely demise. Larry Lee, a renowned historian of contemporary American culture, noted that Charles brought back the ability to experience deep emotions in American popular music and culture as a whole. Ray Charles' name is invariably accompanied by the phrase "living legend," which cannot be considered an exaggeration. There have been countless publications about him, all agreeing on his status as an "unparalleled genius" and "superstar." Charles has received numerous titles and awards, including 14 Grammy Awards and a multitude of gold and platinum records. In 1993, President Bill Clinton awarded him the National Medal of Arts, and since 1996, he has been officially recognized as the "Treasure of Los Angeles." His star can be found on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and his bronze busts are displayed in the Hall of Fame for rock and roll, jazz, blues, and country. He was also presented with a bronze medallion from the French people in France.

Ray Charles is considered the "inspirational father" of all the major rock and pop stars of the 20th century. Elvis Presley, Joe Cocker, Billy Joel, and Stevie Wonder all consider Ray Charles their teacher. His songs have also been covered by musicians such as Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Michael Bolton, and Michael Jackson.

Despite his blindness, Charles had a lighthearted approach to it and engaged in activities like acting in movies, driving a car, and even piloting an airplane. He always shaved in front of a mirror. Before every performance, Ray Charles would drink a glass of gin with coffee, claiming it gave him energy and courage. He once said, "Sometimes I feel terrible, but when I step on stage and start playing, it's like taking an aspirin, and everything goes away. I don't know how it works." He was reluctant to sign autographs because he couldn't see what was being given to him and was generally averse to interacting with journalists.

On June 10, 2004, at the age of 73, Ray Charles passed away due to complications from liver disease. His posthumous album of duets, "Genius Loves Company," became platinum in less than six months, selling over a million copies. This achievement surpassed anything he had accomplished throughout his 53-year career. The album featured duets with artists such as Norah Jones, Van Morrison, and Elton John. A film titled "Ray," starring Jamie Foxx and based on Ray Charles' biography, was released thereafter.

"Ray Charles was the only genius in our profession," said Frank Sinatra. Ray Charles, however, humbly described himself as someone who simply tried to leave his mark and do something good in music.