Ray Charles

From ArticleWorld

Ray Charles Robinson was a pianist and soul singer; he was a pioneer in rhythm and blues and was a musical genius. Robinson was born in Albany, Georgia on September 23, 1930. Although the true cause is unknown, Charles was blinded by the age of seven. He was sent to the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind in Florida where he learned how to play a variety of instruments, write music, and read Braille.

Music Beginnings

Charles music career began in Florida where he played with both jazz and country bands. At the age of 16 he moved to Seattle and recorded the first of many hit songs, "Baby, Let Me Hold Your Hand." Singers and pianists Nat King Cole and Charles Brown were main influences on his music. After he signed with Atlantic Records in 1952, Charles’ sounds became more his own personal style.

Ray Charles Style

Charles was often criticized for playing gospel tunes and adding secular lyrics to them. Many of his hit songs were arranged in this way, such as "I Got A Woman," "Hallelujah I Lover Her So," and "This Little Girl of Mine." He stepped into true musical fame and success with "The Night Time is the Right Time" and his signature son, "What’d I Say," which was released in 1959.

Charles soon leaped beyond his boundaries of style and was recording with large orchestras, famous jazz artists, and even made a country music cover. He moved to ABC Records and ventured into pop music with hits like "Unchain My Heart" and "Hit the Road, Jack." In 1962, he released a country album featuring songs like "I Can’t Stop Loving You," "You Don’t Know Me," and "You Are My Sunshine."

The Ending of a Legacy

Charles had an acute drug problem and was arrested for the third time for possession of heroin in 1965, after seventeen long years of addiction. Following the arrest and the 1960’s, Charles releases were flaky, at best. He had hits that were massive and will never be forgotten, then he had songs that were completely dismissed. His remake of Hoagey Charmichael’s "Georgia on My Mind," which soon became the official state song of Georgia.

Ray Charles’ final public performance was in April, 2004 in Los Angeles. He died on June 10, 2004 from liver disease.