Ray Charles
Last concert of Ray Charles, at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier of the Place des Arts while the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal in 2003. Pic by Victor Diaz Lamich.
Background information
Birth name	Ray Charles Robinson
Also known as	Brother Ray
Born	September 23, 1930(1930-09-23) Albany, Georgia, United States
Origin	Greenville, Florida, United States
Died	June 10, 2004 (aged 73) Beverly Hills, California, United States
Genre(s)	R&B, soul, blues, pop, country, jazz, gospel, piano blues, country blues, country soul, soul blues
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter, musician, arranger, bandleader
Instrument(s)	Singing, piano, alto saxophone
Years active	1947–2004
Label(s)	Atlantic, ABC, Warner Bros. Records
Associated acts	The Raelettes, Quincy Jones, Betty Carter
Website	www.raycharles.com

Ray Charles Robinson (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004), known by his stage name Ray Charles, was a pioneering American pianist and musician who shaped the sound of rhythm and blues. He brought a soulful sound to country music, pop standards, and a rendition of "America the Beautiful" that Ed Bradley of 60 Minutes called the "definitive version of the song, an American anthem — a classic, just as the man who sung it."^[1] This page is about Ray Charles, composer and conductor of The Ray Charles Singers. ... The Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier is the largest multipurpose venue in Canada, with the most sophisticated technical equipment. ... View of the Place des Arts esplanade. ... Festival International de Jazz de Montréal is one of the biggest jazz festivals in the world. ... is the 266th day of the year (267th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1930 (MCMXXX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display 1930 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Nickname: Location in Dougherty County and the state of Georgia Coordinates: , Country State County Dougherty Government  - Mayor Willie Adams, Jr. ... Greenville is a town located in Madison County, Florida. ... This article is about the U.S. State of Florida. ... is the 161st day of the year (162nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Beverly Hills redirects here. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... R&B redirects here. ... For other uses, see Soul music (disambiguation). ... Blues music redirects here. ... This article is about the genre of popular music. ... Country music is a blend of popular musical forms originally found in the Southern United States and the Appalachian Mountains. ... For other uses, see Jazz (disambiguation). ... Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as (in terms of the varying music styles) to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music. ... Piano blues refers to a variety of blues styles, sharing only the characteristic that they use the piano as the primary musical instrument. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... This article does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Soul blues is a style of blues music developed in the early late 1960s and 1970s and combining eliments of soul music and urban contemporary music. ... For other uses, see Singer (disambiguation). ... A songwriter is someone who writes the lyrics to songs, the musical composition or melody to songs, or both. ... For the popular-music magazine, see Musician (magazine). ... In music, an arrangement refers either to a rewriting of a piece of existing music with additional new material or to a fleshing-out of a compositional sketch, such as a lead sheet. ... A bandleader is the director of a band of musicians. ... A musical instrument is a device constructed or modified for the purpose of making music. ... Harry Belafonte singing, photograph by C. van Vechten Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, which is often contrasted with speech. ... A short grand piano, with the lid up. ... The alto saxophone is a variety of the saxophone, a family of woodwind instruments invented by Adolphe Sax. ... In the music industry, a record label can be a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. ... Atlantic Records (Atlantic Recording Corporation) is an American record label, and operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Warner Music Group. ... ABC Records started in 1955 as ABC-Paramount Records, the recording arm of American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres. ... Warner Bros. ... The Raelettes were a girl group in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, best known for providing backing vocals for Ray Charles. ... This article is about the producer and songwriter. ... Betty Carter Betty Carter (May 16, 1929 – September 26, 1998) was a prominent American jazz singer, who was renowned for her improvisational techniques. ... is the 266th day of the year (267th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1930 (MCMXXX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display 1930 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 161st day of the year (162nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A stage name, also called a screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, comedians, musicians, djs, clowns, and professional wrestlers. ... A pianist is a person who plays the piano. ... R&B redirects here. ... Country music is a blend of popular musical forms originally found in the Southern United States and the Appalachian Mountains. ... The term pop standards refers to an American songwriting, arranging, and singing style that is widely considered as the high point of Western vocal popular music. ... America the Beautiful is an American patriotic song. ... Edward Rudolph Bradley, Jr. ... This article is about the CBS news magazine. ...

Frank Sinatra called him "the only true genius in the business."^[1][2] And in 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked Ray Charles ^[3] #10 on their list of The Immortals: 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.^[4] Sinatra redirects here. ... This article is about the music magazine. ...

Biography

Early years

Ray Charles Robinson was born in Albany, Georgia on September 23, 1930(1930-09-23).^[5] He was the son of Aretha Williams, who stacked boards in a sawmill, and Bailey Robinson, a railroad repair man, mechanic and handyman.^[6] The two were never married. The family moved to Greenville, Florida, when Ray was an infant. Bailey had three more families, leaving Aretha to raise the family on her own. When Charles was five, he witnessed his younger brother, George, drown in his silver large portable laundry tub.^[6] Nickname: Location in Dougherty County and the state of Georgia Coordinates: , Country State County Dougherty Government  - Mayor Willie Adams, Jr. ... is the 266th day of the year (267th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1930 (MCMXXX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display 1930 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For the 1922 film starring Oliver Hardy, see The Sawmill. ... Greenville is a town located in Madison County, Florida. ... This article is about the U.S. State of Florida. ...

When he was six Charles began to go blind. He finally became totally blind by the age of seven.^[7] Charles never knew exactly why he lost his sight,^[1] though there are sources which suggest his blindness was due to glaucoma. He attended school at the St. Augustine School for the Deaf and the Blind in St. Augustine, Florida.^[7] He also learned how to write music and play various musical instruments.^[7] While he was there, his mother died followed by his father two years later. School for deaf and blind in St. ... Nickname: Location in St. ... A musical instrument is a device that has been constructed or modified with the purpose of making music. ...

Before he left school, Charles began working as a musician in many bands that played in various styles, including jazz and, in Tampa “with a hillbilly band called The Florida Playboys." This is where Charles began his reputation of always wearing sunglasses. ^[8] For other uses, see Jazz (disambiguation). ... Hillbilly is a term, often considered pejorative but sometimes endearing, referring to people who dwell in remote, rural, mountainous areas. ...

Charles moved to Seattle in 1947.^[7] He soon started recording, first for the label Swingtime Records, achieving his first hit with "Baby, Let Me Hold Your Hand" in 1951, then signed with Ahmet Ertegün at Atlantic Records a year later.^[7] When he entered show business, his name was shortened to Ray Charles to avoid confusion with boxer Sugar Ray Robinson.^[6] Seattle redirects here. ... See also: 1950 in music, other events of 1951, 1952 in music, 1950s in music and the list of years in music // Events Johnnie Ray has his first hit record with Cry. ... Ahmet Ertegün (July 31, 1923 – December 14, 2006) was the Turkish-American co-founder and executive of Atlantic Records, described as one of the most significant figures in the modern recording industry [1] . He also co-founded the New York Cosmos soccer team of the North American Soccer League. ... Atlantic Records (Atlantic Recording Corporation) is an American record label, and operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Warner Music Group. ... Show business is a vernacular term for the business of entertainment. ... For other meanings of these words, see boxing (disambiguation) or boxer. ... Sugar Ray Robinson (born Walker Smith Jr. ...

Middle Years of Singing

Almost immediately after signing with Atlantic, Charles scored his first hit singles with the label with "It Should Have Been Me" and the Ertegun-composed "Mess Around", both making the charts in 1953. But it was Charles' "I Got A Woman" (composed with band mate Renald Richard ^[9]) that brought the musician to national prominence. The song reached the top of Billboard's R&B singles chart in 1955 and from there until 1959, Charles would have a series of R&B chart-toppers including "This Little Girl of Mine", "Lonely Avenue", "Mary Ann", "Drown in My Own Tears" and "The Night Time (Is the Right Time)", which were compiled on his Atlantic releases Hallelujah, I Love Her So, Yes Indeed!, and The Genius Sings the Blues. During this time of transition, he recruited a young girl group from Philadelphia named the Cookies as his background singing group, recording with them in New York and changing their name to the Raelettes in the process. In 1959, Charles crossed over to top 40 radio with the release of his impromptu blues number, "What'd I Say", which was initially conceived while Charles was in concert. The song would reach number 1 on the R&B list and would become Charles' first top ten single on the pop charts, peaking at number 6. Charles would also record The Genius of Ray Charles, before leaving Atlantic for a more lucrative deal with ABC in 1959. Hit songs such as "Georgia On My Mind", "Hit the Road Jack" and "Unchain My Heart" helped him transition to pop success and his landmark 1965 album, Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music and its sequel Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music, Vol. 2, helped to bring country into the mainstream of music. Mess Around was one of the first big hits by music legend Ray Charles. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Billboard can refer to: Billboard magazine Billboard (advertising) Billboard antenna In 3D computer graphics, to billboard is to rotate an object so that it faces the viewer. ... Lonely Avenue is a popular song written by Doc Pomus that became a rhythm and blues hit for Ray Charles in 1956. ... The Night Time (Is the Right Time) is a blues song written and originally recorded by Nappy Brown in 1954. ... Ray Charles (Atlantic 8006) is Ray Charles 1957 debut album for Atlantic Records. ... The Raelettes were a girl group in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, best known for providing backing vocals for Ray Charles. ... Blues music redirects here. ... This article is about the song by Ray Charles. ... The Genius of Ray Charles is a 1959 album by Ray Charles. ... ABC Records started in 1955 as ABC-Paramount Records, the recording arm of American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres. ... Georgia on My Mind is a song written in 1930 by Stuart Gorrell (lyrics) and Hoagy Carmichael (music). ... Hit the Road Jack is a song written by Percy Mayfield and recorded by Ray Charles. ... Unchain My Heart was a successful recording by legendary American R&B musician Ray Charles, written by Teddy Powell under the joint pseudonymn of Freddie James and Agnes Vivian Jones. ... Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music is a 1962 album by Ray Charles. ... Country music is a blend of popular musical forms originally found in the Southern United States and the Appalachian Mountains. ...

Later years

Charles with President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan in 1984.

In 1965, Charles was arrested for possession of heroin, a drug to which he had been addicted for nearly 20 years.^[6] It was his third arrest for the offence, but he avoided jail time after kicking the habit in a clinic in Los Angeles.^[1] He spent a year on parole in 1966. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Reagan redirects here. ... Nancy Davis Reagan (born Anne Frances Robbins on July 6, 1921) is the widow of the former United States President Ronald Reagan and was First Lady of the United States from 1981 to 1989. ... For other uses, see Heroin (disambiguation). ... Los Angeles and L.A. redirect here. ... It has been suggested that Medical parole be merged into this article or section. ...

During the late 1960s and into the 1970s, Charles' releases were hit-or-miss^[7], with some big hits and critically acclaimed work. His version of "Georgia On My Mind", was proclaimed the state song of Georgia on April 24, 1979, with Charles performing it on the floor of the state legislature.^[7] He also had success with his unique version of "America the Beautiful." In November 1977 Charles appeared as the host of NBC's Saturday Night Live.^[10] Georgia on My Mind is a song written in 1930 by Stuart Gorrell (lyrics) and Hoagy Carmichael (music). ... Each state in the United States (except New Jersey) has a state song, selected by the state legislature as a symbol of the state. ... is the 114th day of the year (115th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... Type Bicameral Houses Senate House of Representatives President of the Senate Casey Cagle, R since November 7, 2006 Speaker of the House Glenn Richardson, R since November 7, 2006 Members 236 Political groups (as of November 7, 2006 elections) Democratic Party Republican Party Meeting place Georgia State Capitol Web site... America the Beautiful is an American patriotic song. ... SNL redirects here. ...

In the late 1980s a number of events increased Charles' recognition among young audiences. He made a cameo appearance in the popular 1980 film The Blues Brothers. In 1985, "The Right Time" was featured in the episode "Happy Anniversary" of The Cosby Show on NBC. In a Pepsi Cola commercial of the early 1990s, Charles popularized the catchphrase "You Got the Right One, Baby!" The Blues Brothers is a 1980 musical comedy directed by John Landis and starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd as Joliet Jake and Elwood Blues, characters developed from a Saturday Night Live musical sketch. ... This article is about the television network. ... A catch phrase is a phrase or expression that is popularized, usually through repeated use, by a real person or fictional character. ... You Got the Right One, Baby was a popular slogan for Pepsicos Diet Pepsi brand in the United States and Canada in the early 1990s. ...

In 1989, Charles recorded a cover version of the Japanese band Southern All Stars' song "Itoshi no Ellie" as "Ellie My Love" for a Suntory TV advertisement, reaching #3 on Japan's Oricon chart.^[11] Eventually, it sold more than 400,000 copies, and became that year's best-selling single performed by a Western artist for the Japanese music market.^[12] Southern All Stars ) is a Japanese pop rock band formed in Kanagawa, fronted by lead singer and singer-songwriter Keisuke Kuwata. ... Suntory Limited ) is a Japanese brewing and distilling company. ... Oricon ), also known as Oricon Style, is a Japanese company which provides music industry-related information. ...

Charles has also appeared at two Presidential inaugurations. In 1985, he performed for Ronald Reagan's second inauguration, and in 1993 performed for Bill Clinton's first inauguration.^[13]

In the late '80s and early '90s, Charles made appearances on The Super Dave Osbourne Show, where he performed and appeared in a few vignettes where he was somehow driving a car, often as Super Dave's chauffeur. At the height of his newfound fame in the early nineties, Charles did guest vocals for quite a few projects. He also appeared (with Chaka Khan) on long time friend Quincy Jones' hit "I'll Be Good Too You" in 1990, from Jones' album Back on the Block. Super Dave may refer to: Super Dave Osborne, a fictional stuntman played by Bob Einstein Super Dave (show), a variety show starring Osborne Category: ... For other uses, see Singer (disambiguation). ... Chaka Khan (born March 23, 1953) is a multiple Grammy Award-winning American singer known for hit songs such as Im Every Woman, I Feel For You and Through the Fire. Khan was first featured as a member of the funk band Rufus before beginning her solo career. ... This article is about the producer and songwriter. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ...

Following Jim Henson's death in 1990, Ray Charles appeared in the one-hour CBS tribute, The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson. He gave a short speech about the deceased, stating that Henson "took a simple song and a piece of felt and turned it into a moment of great power". Charles was referring to the song "It's Not Easy Being Green", which Charles later performed with the rest of the Muppet cast in a tribute to Henson's legacy. James Maury Jim Henson (September 24, 1936 – May 16, 1990), was the most widely known puppeteer in American television history. ...

During the sixth season of Designing Women, Ray Charles vocally performed "Georgia On My Mind", rather than the song being rendered by other musicians without lyrics as in the previous five seasons. This article is about a television show. ... Georgia on My Mind is a song written in 1930 by Stuart Gorrell (lyrics) and Hoagy Carmichael (music). ...

Final appearances

In 2000, Charles made a special guest appearance on Blue's Clues Big Musical Movie as a fictional character named G-Clef. The Persuasions also made a guest appearance as his companions. Charles recorded "There It Is" during and after filming with Steve Burns and Traci Paige Johnson. After recording, Charles commented "This has been the most fun I have had since I met President Reagan in '84." Blues Clues is a childrens show about a dog named Blue. ... The Persuasions are an a cappella group who began singing together in Brooklyn, New York in the early 1960s and went on to produce numerous albums covering a wide range of musical genres. ... Steve Burns (born Steven Michael Burns on October 9, 1973, in Boyertown, Pennsylvania) is an American entertainer. ... Reagan redirects here. ...

In 2002 Charles headlined during the Blues Passions Cognac festival in southern France.

In 2002 he took part - with other musicians - in a peace concert in Rome, which was the first event to take place inside the city’s ancient Colosseum since 404 A.D. The event was organized in partnership with the Glocal Forum and the Quincy Jones Listen Up Foundation. For other uses, see Rome (disambiguation). ... The Colosseum by night: exterior view of the best-preserved section. ... Based in Rome, Italy, the Glocal Forum aims to balance the global with the local by strengthening inter-city relations and harnessing global opportunities for the economic, social and cultural interests of the local community. ... This article is about the producer and songwriter. ...

In June, 2003, Ray Charles presented one of his greatest admirers, Van Morrison, with his award upon being inducted in the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the two sang Morrison's song from the Moondance album, "Crazy Love". This performance is captured on Morrison's 2007 album, The Best of Van Morrison Volume 3. George Ivan Morrison OBE (generally known as Van Morrison) (born August 31, 1945) is a Grammy Award-winning Irish singer, songwriter, author, poet and multi-instrumentalist, who has been a professional musician since the late 1950s. ... The Songwriters Hall of Fame is an arm of the National Academy of Popular Music. ... Moondance is a folk-R & B album by Irish singer/songwriter Van Morrison, released in 1970 (see 1970 in music). ... Crazy Love is a torch ballad written by singer-songwriter, Van Morrison and included on his 1970 album, Moondance. ... Manhattan/EMI Music Catalog Marketing will release The Best of Van Morrison, Volume 3 on June 12, 2007. ...

In 2003 Charles performed "Georgia On My Mind" and "America the Beautiful" at a televised annual electronic media journalist banquet held in Washington, D.C., at what may have been his final performance in public. Ray Charles' final public appearance came on April 30, 2004, at the dedication of his music studio as a historic landmark in the city of Los Angeles.^[7] For other uses, see Washington, D.C. (disambiguation). ... is the 120th day of the year (121st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For the illustrated magazine, see Studio Magazine. ... History is often used as a generic term for information about the past, such as in geologic history of the Earth. When used as the name of a field of study, history refers to the study and interpretation of the record of human societies. ... Taj Mahal Big Ben Saint Basils Cathedral Azadi Square in Tehran For other senses of this word, see landmark (disambiguation). ...

He died on June 10, 2004 of hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) at his home in Beverly Hills, California, surrounded by family and friends. His body was interred in the Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California. is the 161st day of the year (162nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Beverly Hills redirects here. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Inglewood Park Cemetery is located at 720 E. Florence Avenue in Inglewood, California. ... Nickname: Location of Inglewood in Los Angeles County, California Coordinates: , Country State County Los Angeles Established 1888 Incorporated February 14, 1908 Government  - Mayor Roosevelt F. Dorn Area  - Total 9. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ...

His final album, Genius Loves Company, released two months after his death, consists of duets with various admirers and contemporaries: B.B. King, Van Morrison, Willie Nelson, James Taylor, Gladys Knight, Michael McDonald, Natalie Cole, Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, Diana Krall, Norah Jones, and Johnny Mathis. The album won eight Grammy Awards, including five for Ray Charles for Best Pop Vocal Album, Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for "Here We Go Again" with Norah Jones, and Best Gospel Performance for "Heaven Help Us All" with Gladys Knight; he also received nods for his duets with Elton John and B.B. King. Genius Loves Company is a 2004 album by Ray Charles, consisting of duets between Charles and other famous musicians. ... Riley B. King aka B. B. King (b. ... George Ivan Morrison OBE (generally known as Van Morrison) (born August 31, 1945) is a Grammy Award-winning Irish singer, songwriter, author, poet and multi-instrumentalist, who has been a professional musician since the late 1950s. ... Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 30, 1933) is an American singer-songwriter and actor. ... James Vernon Taylor (born March 12, 1948) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist, born in Belmont, Massachusetts. ... Gladys Maria Knight (born May 28, 1944 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA) is a seven-time Grammy Award-winning American R&B/soul singer, actress and author. ... Michael McDonald (born February 12, 1952, in St. ... Natalie Maria Cole (born February 6, 1950), known professionally as Natalie Cole, is an American singer and songwriter. ... Sir Elton Hercules[1] John CBE[2] (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on 25 March 1947) is a five-time Grammy and one-time Academy Award-winning English pop/rock singer, composer and pianist. ... Bonnie Raitt, (born November 8, 1949) is an American Blues-R&B singer, songwriter, and guitarist who was born in Burbank, California, the daughter of Broadway musical star John Raitt. ... Diana Jean Krall, OC, OBC (born November 16, 1964) is a Grammy award-winning Canadian jazz pianist and singer. ... Norah Jones (born Geethali Norah Jones Shankar on March 30, 1979) is an American singer-songwriter, pianist, keyboardist, guitarist, and occasional actress of Anglo-American and Bengali descent. ... John Royce Mathis (b. ... Grammy Award statuette The Grammy Awards, presented by the Recording Academy (an association of Americans professionally involved in the recorded music industry) for outstanding achievements in the recording industry, is one of four major music awards shows held annually in the United States (the Billboard Music Awards, the American Music... Norah Jones (born Geethali Norah Jones Shankar on March 30, 1979) is an American singer-songwriter, pianist, keyboardist, guitarist, and occasional actress of Anglo-American and Bengali descent. ... Gladys Maria Knight (born May 28, 1944 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA) is a seven-time Grammy Award-winning American R&B/soul singer, actress and author. ...

The album included a version of Harold Arlen's "Over the Rainbow", sung as a duet by Charles and Johnny Mathis; that recording was later played at his memorial service.^[14] Harold Arlen (February 15, 1905 – April 23, 1986) was an American composer of popular music. ... For other uses, see Over the Rainbow (disambiguation). ... John Royce Mathis (b. ...

Two more posthumous albums, Genius & Friends (2005) and Ray Sings, Basie Swings (2006), were released. Genius & Friends consisted of duets recorded from 1997-2005 with artists were personally chosen by Ray Charles. Ray Sings, Basie Swings consists of archived vocals of Ray Charles from a live 1973 performance added to Count Basie's music. Charles' vocals recorded from the concert mixing board were added to a new accompaniment by the Count Basie Orchestra (among others). Gregg Field, who had performed as a drummer with both Charles and Basie, produced this album. Genius & Friends is a 2005 tribute album by Ray Charles, consisting of duets between Charles and other famous musicians. ... Genius & Friends is a 2005 tribute album by Ray Charles, consisting of duets between Charles and other famous musicians. ... William Count Basie (August 21, 1904 – April 26, 1984) was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. ... William Count Basie (August 21, 1904 – April 26, 1984) was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. ...

Controversies and criticisms

Despite his support of Martin Luther King, Jr. in the 1960s and his support for the American Civil Rights Movement, Charles courted controversy when he toured South Africa in 1981,^[7] during an international boycott of the country because of its apartheid policy. Martin Luther King redirects here. ... Martin Luther King is perhaps most famous for his I Have a Dream speech, given in front of the Lincoln Memorial during the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom This article is about the civil rights movement following the Brown v. ... A segregated beach in South Africa, 1982. ...

Susaye Greene, former member of Charles' Raelettes, as well as the Supremes and Wonderlove and currently a solo artist, was noted for being the only Raelette to sing at Ray Charles' funeral. After the funeral, the BBC said "it did not go unnoticed that Susaye was the only Raelette to sing at Ray's funeral."^{[citation needed]} Susaye Greene is an African-American singer, noted for being the last official member to join Motown girl group The Supremes, remaining in the group during its final year of existence from 1976 to 1977. ... The Raelettes were a girl group in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, best known for providing backing vocals for Ray Charles. ... For other uses, see Supremes (disambiguation). ... Stevie Wonder is a legend in rock and pop music history. ...

Personal life

Charles was married twice and fathered twelve children by nine different women.^[15][16] His first marriage to Eileen Williams was brief --July 31, 1951- 1952-- He has three children from his second marriage to Della Beatrice Howard Robinson from April 5, 1955 - 1977. His long term girlfriend and partner at the time of his death was Norma Pinella. Charles passed away in at his home Beverly Hills Los Angles Thursday June 10th 2004 surrounded by his family. The cause of his death was hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) ^[17]. is the 212th day of the year (213th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 95th day of the year (96th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar). ...

His children are:

• Charles Wayne Hendricks (son of Marge Hendricks - one of the Raelettes)
• Evelyn Robinson (daughter of Louise Mitchell)
• Raenee Robinson (daughter of Mae Mosely Lyles)
• Sheila Robinson (daughter of Sandra Jean Betts)
• Vincent Kotchounian (son of Arlette Kotchounian - worked with him as photographer on Would You Believe album)
• David Robinson (son of Della Robinson)
• Ray Charles Robinson, Jr. (son of Della Robinson)
• Reverend Robert Robinson (son of Della Robinson)
• Reatha Butler
• Alexandria Bertrand (daughter of Chantelle Bertrand)
• Robyn Moffett (daughter of Gloria Moffett)
• Ryan Corey Robinson den Bok (son of Mary Anne den Bok)

Charles gave each of his 12 children $1,000,000 tax free in 2004 ^[18] just before he died.

Discography

See Ray Charles discography

This is a listing of all the albums and singles released by R&B and soul music pioneer Ray Charles. ...

Filmography

• Swingin' Along (1961)
• Ballad in Blue (1964)
• The Big T.N.T. Show (1966) (documentary)
• The Blues Brothers (1980)
• Limit Up (1989)
• Listen Up: The Lives of Quincy Jones (1990) (documentary)
• Love Affair (1994)
• Spy Hard (1996)

The year 1961 in film involved some significant events. ... // Events January 29 - The film Dr. Strangelove is released. ... // Events Top grossing films North America Thunderball Dr. Zhivago Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf? That Darn Cat! The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming Academy Awards Best Picture: A Man for All Seasons - Highland, Columbia Best Actor: Paul Scofield - A Man for All Seasons Best Actress: Elizabeth Taylor... The Blues Brothers is a 1980 musical comedy directed by John Landis and starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd as Joliet Jake and Elwood Blues, characters developed from a Saturday Night Live musical sketch. ... The year 1980 in film involved some significant events. ... // Actress Kim Basinger and her brother Mick purchase Braselton, Georgia for $20 million. ... The year 1990 in film involved some significant events. ... Love Affair Love Affair is a 1994 romantic drama film made by Mulholland Productions and distributed by Warner Bros. ... The year 1994 in film involved some significant events. ... Spy Hard is a 1996 movie starring Leslie Nielsen, parodying James Bond films and other action films. ... The year 1996 in film involved some significant events. ...

Ray: The Film

Main article: Ray (film)

Charles was significantly involved in the biopic Ray, an October 2004 film which portrays his life and career between 1930 and 1966 and stars Jamie Foxx as Charles. Foxx won the 2005 Academy Award for Best Actor for the role. Ray is a 2004 biographical film focusing on thirty years[2]of the life of legendary rhythm and blues musician Ray Charles. ... Ray is a 2004 biographical film focusing on thirty years[2]of the life of legendary rhythm and blues musician Ray Charles. ... The year 2004 in film involved some significant events. ... Jamie Foxx (born December 13, 1967) is an American actor, singer, and stand-up comic. ... The 77th Academy Awards, honoring the best in film for 2004, were held on February 27, 2005, at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California. ... Academy Award The Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, are the most prominent and most watched film awards ceremony in the world. ... The Academy Award for Best Actor is one of the awards given to people working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; nominations are made by Academy members who are actors and actresses. ...

Before shooting could begin, however, director Taylor Hackford brought Foxx to meet Charles, who insisted that they sit down at two pianos and play together. For two hours, Charles challenged Foxx, who revealed the depth of his talent, and finally, Charles stood up, hugged Foxx, and gave his blessing, proclaiming, "He's the one... he can do it." Taylor Hackford (born December 31, 1944 in Santa Barbara, California) is an American film director. ...

Charles was expected to attend a showing of the completed film, but he passed away before it opened in theaters.

As noted in the film's final credits, Ray is based on true events, but includes some characters, names, locations, events which have been changed and others which have been "fictionalized for dramatization purposes." One example of the film's use of dramatic license are the scenes which refer to Charles as being banned from Georgia. The Death of General Wolfe (Benjamin West. ...

The film's credits note that he is survived by 12 children, 21 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. Ray Charles died from an acute liver disease.

Halls of Fame and other honors

Besides winning dozens of Grammy Awards in his career, Charles was also honored in many other ways. In 1979, he was one of the first honorees of the Georgia State Music Hall of Fame being recognized for being a musician born in the state.^[19] Ray's version of "Georgia On My Mind" was made into the official state song for Georgia.^[20] In 1981, he was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was one of the first inductees to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame at its inaugural ceremony in 1986.^[21] He received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1986.^[22] In 1987, he was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1991, he was inducted to the Rhythm & Blues Foundation. In 1998 he was awarded the Polar Music Prize together with Ravi Shankar in Stockholm, Sweden. In 2004 he was inducted to the Jazz Hall of Fame, and inducted to the National Black Sports & Entertainment Hall of Fame.^[23] Also in 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked him #10 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.^[4] Buskers perform on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. ... The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, showing Lake Erie in the background The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum in Cleveland, Ohio, United States, dedicated, as the name suggests, to recording the history of some of the best-known and most influential rock and... The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award is awarded by the Recording Academy to performers who, during their lifetimes, have made creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance to the field of recording [1]. This award is distinct from the Grammy Hall of Fame Award, which honors specific recordings rather than individuals, and... The Polar Music Prize is an international music prize and awarded to individuals, groups or institutions in recognition of exceptional achievements in the creation and advancement of music. The prize was founded in 1989 following a donation from Stig Anderson and is awarded annually by the Royal Swedish Academy of... For other persons named Ravi Shankar, see Ravi Shankar (disambiguation). ... The Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization founded in 1977 to promote greater awareness, knowledge, and appreciation of big band and jazz music.[1] The organization has inducted more than 200 individuals into its Hall of Fame, maintains an extensive biographical database, and aspires... This article is about the music magazine. ...

The Grammy Awards of 2005 were dedicated to Charles. The 47th Grammy Awards were held on February 13, 2005 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. ...

On December 7, 2007, Ray Charles Plaza was opened in Albany, Georgia, with a revolving, lighted bronze sculpture of Charles seated at a piano. Nickname: Location in Dougherty County and the state of Georgia Coordinates: , Country State County Dougherty Government  - Mayor Willie Adams, Jr. ... Rare, water preserved Greek Athlete 310. ...

On December 26, 2007, Ray Charles was inducted into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame.

Ray Charles Post Office Building

On Tuesday, July 12, 2005, President George Bush signed into law, a bill (PL 109-25), sponsored by Congresswomen Diane E. Watson (CA-33rd), designating the U.S. postal facility located at 4960 W. Washington Blvd., in Los Angeles, California, as the Ray Charles Post Office Building. On August 24, 2005, the United States Congress honored Charles by dedicating and renaming the former West Adams Station post office in Los Angeles the "Ray Charles Station". Type Bicameral Houses Senate House of Representatives President of the Senate President pro tempore Dick Cheney, (R) since January 20, 2001 Robert C. Byrd, (D) since January 4, 2007 Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, (D) since January 4, 2007 Members 535 plus 4 Delegates and 1 Resident Commissioner Political... West Adams, also known as Historic West Adams, is a large district located in the center of Los Angeles, California, southwest of Downtown and north of USC. The district is bordered by Pico-Union, Angelus Vista and Harvard Heights on the north, the original South Los Angeles on the east...

References

Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ... This article is about the CBS news magazine. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 329th day of the year (330th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 329th day of the year (330th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 329th day of the year (330th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 45th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 329th day of the year (330th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 329th day of the year (330th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 329th day of the year (330th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 329th day of the year (330th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 329th day of the year (330th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:

Ray Charles

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Ray Charles

• Ray Charles website
• Ray Charles discography at MusicBrainz
• Ray Charles at RollingStone.com/artists
• Ray Charles at Songwriters Hall of Fame
• Ray Charles at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
• Ray Charles at the Internet Movie Database
• Ray Charles at Allmusic
• Ray Charles at Find A Grave
• Ray Charles biography and video interview excerpts by the National Visionary Leadership Project
• Autobiography