Portrait of Ray Charles

Ray Charles

Origin: Albany, Georgia, USA Years: September 23, 1930 - June 10, 2004

Ray Charles, born Ray Charles Robinson, was an American singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer who pioneered soul music and became one of the most influential musicians in American history. Blending gospel, blues, jazz, and R&B, Charles created signature sound that defined modern popular music. Known as 'The Genius' and 'Father of Soul,' his hits like 'I Got a Woman,' 'What'd I Say,' and 'Georgia on My Mind' became timeless classics. A 17-time Grammy winner from 37 nominations, Charles was inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame, and Country Music Hall of Fame. Over 17 million copies of his final album 'Genius Loves Company' (2004) sold, making him one of best-selling music artists of all time with over 100 million records sold worldwide.

SoulR&BBluesJazzGospelCountryRock and Roll

Discography Overview

During his recording career from 1947 to 2004, Charles released over 60 albums across Atlantic, ABC-Paramount, and other labels, with over 80 songs charting on Billboard's Hot 100, 17 reaching Top 10, and 3 hitting number one: 'I Can't Stop Loving You' (1962), 'Georgia on My Mind' (1960), and 'Hit the Road Jack' (1961). His Atlantic Records catalog (1952-1959) produced seminal soul tracks like 'I Got a Woman' (1954), 'What'd I Say' (1959), and 'Drown in My Own Tears,' which pioneered the soul genre. His 1962 album 'Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music' broke racial barriers by blending soul with country music. Charles won 17 Grammy Awards from 37 nominations, including Lifetime Achievement Award in 1987. His final album 'Genius Loves Company' (2004) sold over 17 million copies worldwide and won 8 Grammy Awards. Total record sales exceed 100 million copies worldwide.

Key Albums

  • The Genius of Ray Charles (1959)
  • The Genius Hits the Road (1960)
  • Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music (1962)
  • I Can't Stop Loving You (1962)
  • Genius + Soul = Jazz (1961)
  • Genius Loves Company (2004)

Key Songs

  • I Got a Woman
  • What'd I Say
  • Georgia on My Mind
  • Hit the Road Jack
  • I Can't Stop Loving You
  • Unchain My Heart
  • Mess Around
  • Hallelujah, I Love Her So
  • Drown in My Own Tears
  • Busted
  • The Right Time
  • You Don't Know Me

Career Timeline

  1. 1937 Lost sight due to glaucoma at age 7; attended Florida School for the Deaf and Blind
  2. 1945 Moved to Seattle; began performing as 'Ray Charles' in local clubs
  3. 1947 Made first recordings in Seattle; moved to Los Angeles and then to Miami
  4. 1949 Signed with Swing Time Records; released first singles
  5. 1952 Signed with Atlantic Records; developed signature R&B/soul sound
  6. 1954 Released 'I Got a Woman' and 'Mess Around'; pioneered soul music
  7. 1955 Released 'Hallelujah, I Love Her So' and 'Drown in My Own Tears'
  8. 1957 Released 'This Little Girl of Mine' and 'Leave My Woman Alone'
  9. 1959 Released 'What'd I Say' and 'The Genius of Ray Charles' album; crossover success
  10. 1960 Released 'Georgia on My Mind'; became signature song and state anthem of Georgia
  11. 1960 Signed with ABC-Paramount Records; 'The Genius Hits the Road' album
  12. 1961 Released 'Hit the Road Jack'; became signature song
  13. 1962 Released 'I Can't Stop Loving You' and 'Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music' album
  14. 1962 Overcame heroin addiction; continued successful career
  15. 1963 Released 'Unchain My Heart' and 'Busted'
  16. 1964 Protested segregation; performed for integrated audiences
  17. 1979 Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
  18. 1986 Inducted into Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame
  19. 1987 Received Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
  20. 2000 Received Kennedy Center Honors
  21. 2004 Released 'Genius Loves Company' album; won 8 Grammy Awards including Album of the Year
  22. 2004 Died from liver failure in Beverly Hills, California at age 73; career spanned 57 years
  23. 2021 Posthumously inducted into Country Music Hall of Fame

Influence Graph

How Ray Charles sits in the influence chain

Influenced by

  • Nat King Cole
  • Charles Brown
  • Louis Jordan
  • T Bone Walker
  • Coleman Hawkins

Influenced

  • Aretha Franklin
  • Stevie Wonder
  • Otis Redding
  • James Brown
  • Marvin Gaye
  • Alicia Keys
  • Van Morrison
  • Joe Cocker

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