R&B Pioneer And Legend, Raymond Charles Robinson, Was Born In Albany, Georgia On September 23, 1930.
Known Worldwide By His Stage Name, Ray Charles, The Blind Superstar Had A Career That Spanned More Than 50 Years. He Was An Innovative, Music Pioneer Who Helped Shape The Sound Of Of R&B/Soul Music.
Charles Began Recording R&B And Pop Music During The 1950's. He And Sam Cooke Were Leading Figures In Developing Soul Music -- A Fusion Of Gospel, Blues, With A Touch Of Country Influence.
The Versatile Singer, Songwriter And Pianist Also Successfully Performed Rock 'N' Roll And Jazz And Led The Way For Black Performers In Country Music. His Cover Of The Country Song, "I Can't Stop Loving You," Became His All-Time, Best-Selling Single. It Hit Number On The Billboard Charts And Remained There For Four Weeks.
Among His Other Hits: "What'd I Say," "Hit The Road Jack," "Busted," "The Night Time Is The Right Time (To Be With The One You Love)," "In The Heat Of The Night," "Georgia On My Mind (This Song Was Made Into The Official State Song For Georgia) And "Unchain My Heart."
Charles' Rendition Of "America The Beautiful" Has Been Called The Definitive Version Of The Song. Frank Sinatra Once Called Ray Charles "the only true genius in the business" And In 2004, Rolling Stone MagazineRanked Him #10 On Their List Of The 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
He Was One Of The First Inductees Into The Rock 'N Roll Hall Of Fame At Its Inaugural. He Received The Kennedy Center Honors in 1986. In 1987, He Was Awarded The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1991, He Was Inducted Into The Rhythm & Blues Foundation.
Ray Charles Died June 10, 2004 Of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (Liver Cancer) At His Home In Beverly Hills, California.
Classic Ray Charles Performance - "AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL"
"In Order For Black History To Live, We Must Continue To Breathe Life Into it." -- Hubert Gaddy, Jr.
