Ray Charles Robinson Sr. was an American singer, composer, and pianist who lived from September 23, 1930, until June 10, 2004.
He was frequently referred to by his contemporaries as “The Genius” and is recognized as one of the most recognizable and influential vocalists in history. He favoured the moniker “Brother Ray” when referring to friends and other musicians. Charles lost his sight as a toddler, possibly from glaucoma.
What is Ray Charles most famous song?
The first of Charles’ three career No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100, “Georgia On My Mind,” was released in 1960.
His first album to reach the top of the Billboard 200 was Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music, released in 1962. With 44 hits on the US R&B singles chart, 11 singles on the Hot 100 singles list, and 2 singles on the Hot Country singles charts, Charles had several singles that reached the Top 40 on various Billboard charts.
By fusing blues, jazz, rhythm and blues, and gospel music traditions into the songs he recorded for Atlantic Records in the 1950s, Charles helped to establish the soul music genre.
With his crossover success on ABC Records, particularly with his two Modern Sounds albums, he helped to integrate country music, rhythm and blues, and pop music throughout the 1960s. Charles was one of the first black performers to get artistic autonomy from a major record label while he was with ABC.
