See more
What impact did Ray Charles have on history?
Ray is credited with inventing the genre by introducing gospel stylings into rhythm and blues, as he did in the 1954 classic “I Got a Woman.” Ray Charles defied labels and categories, asserting his musical artistry and creativity to establish a singular musical voice.
How did Ray Charles impact America?
Ray Charles helped integrate American music by creating a space for gospel-infused R&B music on pop radio. He was Atlantic Record's most beloved R&B superstar and would go on to influence legions of musicians and fans throughout the years.
Who did Ray Charles influence?
Mr. Charles influenced singers as varied as Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Van Morrison and Billy Joel. But he started out being influenced by a very different singer, Nat King Cole.
How did Ray Charles help the civil rights movement?
Charles also lent his voice to the civil rights movement: he provided financial support to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and even refused to play for segregated concerts in 1961, after receiving a letter from Paine College's student president.
What is Ray Charles best known for?
Often called the "Father of Soul," Charles combined blues, gospel and jazz to create groundbreaking hits such as "Unchain My Heart," "Hit the Road Jack" and "Georgia on My Mind." He died in 2004, leaving a lasting impression on contemporary music.
What are 3 interesting facts about Ray Charles?
He was blind due to glaucoma but was not deaf. He learned to play the organ, clarinet, alto saxophone, and trumpet. When his mother died in 1945, he stopped going to school and began working. To avoid confusion with boxer Sugar Ray Robinson, he dropped his last name.
What is Ray Charles legacy?
The Legendary Ray Charles and His Continued Influence on Jazz and Blues. Ray Charles is often credited with pioneering the soul music genre of the 1950s. His music was a hybrid of jazz, blues, and gospel, and he later went on to incorporate other styles such as country and pop music.
How did Ray Charles contribute to jazz?
Charles combined blues, gospel, R&B, rock, country music and jazz to create groundbreaking hits such as “Unchain My Heart,” “I've Got A Woman” and “What I'd Say.” His impressive multi-award winning 50-year career left an indelible mark on contemporary music all over the world.
What makes Ray Charles The Genius of Soul?
They call him the “genius” and they call him the “father of soul.” With perfect pitch and an expressive voice, he combines worlds as diverse as jazz, country, rhythm and blues, and gospel to break your heart or make you dance.
What is Ray Charles best known song?
'I've Got A Woman' – maybe Charles' best-known song, in part thanks to it being sampled in Kanye West's 'Gold Digger' – isn't hard to come by. If you're looking for an easily digestible two minutes 50 of great R&B, go back to the original, which you can find on his eponymous first album with Atlantic.
What artist wrote a freedom song for the civil rights movement in the US?
Pete Seeger, 'We Shall Overcome' (1963) This was one of the civil rights movement's most popular songs, an unofficial anthem so pervasive that President Lyndon B.
How did music affect civil rights?
African American spirituals, gospel, and folk music all played an important role in the Civil Rights Movement. Singers and musicians collaborated with ethnomusicologists and song collectors to disseminate songs to activists, both at large meetings and through publications.
What is Ray Charles legacy?
The Legendary Ray Charles and His Continued Influence on Jazz and Blues. Ray Charles is often credited with pioneering the soul music genre of the 1950s. His music was a hybrid of jazz, blues, and gospel, and he later went on to incorporate other styles such as country and pop music.
How did Ray Charles create soul music?
Charles pioneered the soul music genre during the 1950s by combining blues, jazz, rhythm and blues, and gospel styles into the music he recorded for Atlantic Records.
How many records did Ray Charles Sell?
RAY CHARLES sold over 10,465,695 albums, including 7,500,000 in the United States and 360,000 in the United Kingdom. The best-selling album by RAY CHARLES is GENIUS LOVES COMPANY, which sold over 4,470,602 copies .
What was Ray Charles inspired by?
The influence upon Ray Charles music background was individuals like Art Tatum, Nat King Cole, Louis Jordan, Louis Armstrong, and Charles Brown. Rolling Stone ranked Charles number ten out of one hundred greatest musicians of all time in 2004.
Who was Ray Charles' influence?
Charles cited Nat King Cole as a primary influence, but his music was also influenced by Louis Jordan and Charles Brown. He had a lifelong friendship and occasional partnership with Quincy Jones. Frank Sinatra called Ray Charles "the only true genius in show business," although Charles downplayed this notion. Billy Joel said, "This may sound like sacrilege, but I think Ray Charles was more important than Elvis Presley ".
What was Ray Charles' music like in the 1970s?
Charles's renewed chart success, however, proved to be short lived, and by the 1970s his music was rarely played on radio stations. The rise of psychedelic rock and harder forms of rock and R&B music had reduced Charles' radio appeal, as did his choosing to record pop standards and covers of contemporary rock and soul hits, since his earnings from owning his masters had taken away the motivation to write new material. Charles nonetheless continued to have an active recording career. Most of his recordings between 1968 and 1973 evoked strong reactions: people either liked them a lot or strongly disliked them. His recordings during this period, especially 1972's A Message from the People, moved toward the progressive soul sound popular at the time. A Message from the People included his unique gospel-influenced version of " America the Beautiful " and a number of protest songs about poverty and civil rights. Charles was often criticized for his version of "America the Beautiful" because it was very drastically changed from the song's original version. On July 14, 1973, Margie Hendrix, the mother of Ray's son Charles Wayne Hendrix, died at 38 years old from a heroin overdose, which led to Ray caring for the child.
What was Charles' commercial for the New Jersey lottery?
In 2001–02, Charles appeared in commercials for the New Jersey Lottery to promote its campaign "For every dream, there's a jackpot". In 2003, he headlined the White House Correspondents Dinner in Washington, D.C., attended by President George W. Bush, Laura Bush, Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice.
Why was Charles arrested?
In 1958, Charles was arrested on a Harlem street corner for possession of narcotics and equipment for administering heroin. Charles was arrested on a narcotics charge on November 14, 1961, while waiting in an Indiana hotel room before a performance. The detectives seized heroin, marijuana, and other items.
How old was Ray Charles when he became hooked on women?
Charles stated in his 1978 autobiography, Brother Ray: Ray Charles' Own Story, that he became hooked on women after losing his virginity at 12 years old to a woman about 20. "Cigarettes and smack [heroin] are the two truly addictive habits I've known. You might add women," he said. "My obsession centers on women—did then [when young] and does now. I can't leave them alone," he added.
What was the first country song by Ray Charles?
Later in 1959, he released his first country song (a cover of Hank Snow 's " I'm Movin' On ") and recorded three more albums for the label: a jazz record ( The Genius After Hours, 1961); a blues record ( The Genius Sings the Blues, 1961); and a big band record ( The Genius of Ray Charles, 1959) which was his first Top 40 album, peaking at No. 17.
Why was America the Beautiful criticized?
Charles was often criticized for his version of "America the Beautiful" because it was very drastically changed from the song's original version. On July 14, 1973, Margie Hendrix, the mother of Ray's son Charles Wayne Hendrix, died at 38 years old from a heroin overdose, which led to Ray caring for the child.
How did Ray Charles die?
His death in 2004 at the age of 73 from acute liver disease left a hole in the entertainment industry, but Charles continues to be honored with accolades, buildings, museums, scholarships, not to mention The Ray Charles Foundation. Another foundation, The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, in the heart of downtown Nashville, featured an extensive display in 2006-2007 focusing on the life and impact he had on country and western music. Just last October, today’s chart topping artists got together on the Opry stage for “Songs by Ray Charles”, hosted by Darius Rucker. Boyz II Men, Brett Eldredge, LeAnn Rimes, Chris Young, and Ronnie Milsap were just a few who talked about Charles’ effect on their own careers before serenading the audience with songs like “Unchain My Heart”, “Fever”, and “Don’t Tell Me Your Troubles.”
How old was Charles when he was blind?
A lot of Charles’ childhood was spent at a local café, where the café owner befriended Charles’ mother and taught the curious child how to play piano. After the accidental death of his brother at the age of 4, Charles started experiencing glaucoma and was completely blind by 7.
How many #1's did Pride have?
Pride went on to have 36 #1’s and became one of only three African American country artists to ever be inducted into the Grand Ole Opry; Darius Rucker being one of the other ones of course. And at the rate Jimmie Allen’s career seems to be taking off, he won’t be long behind as an Opry member.
Why was every song chosen?
Every song was specially chosen because of the emotional connection Charles had to the lyrics and the orchestration he conceived for the melodies. You will not hear songs about trucks and beer cans in the moonlight (and the world breathes a collective sigh of relief).
What does Ray say in Dear Dreamers?
With his fast moving hands on the ivories and his Cheshire cat smile lighting up the room, we can’t help but think he’s cheering you on, “my sunshine. My only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray. . . .”
Did Ray Charles care about genres?
Because “Brother Ray” as he was often called, didn’t care about genres, nor did he care what people thought of him recording other people’s hits.
What did Ray Charles do for the state of Georgia?
Ray Charles helped forge soul music from rhythm and blues, jazz, and gospel, and his hit rendition of “Georgia on My Mind” helped establish it as the state song. Little Richard was one of the early stars of rock and roll, and the Allman Brothers…
Who is Ray Charles?
Ray Charles, American pianist, singer, composer, and bandleader who was credited with the early development of soul music and was billed as ‘the Genius.’ His best-known songs included ‘I’ve Got a Woman,’ ‘What’d I Say,’ ‘Georgia on My Mind,’ ‘Hit the Road, Jack,’ ‘Busted,’ and ‘America the Beautiful.’
What was Ray Charles's band name?
From 1955 Charles toured extensively in the United States and elsewhere with his own big band and a gospel-style female backup quartet called the Raeletts. He also appeared on television and worked in films such as Ballad in Blue(1964) and The Blues Brothers(1980) as a featured act and sound track composer. He formed his own custom recording labels, Tangerine in 1962 and Crossover Records in 1973. The recipient of many national and international awards, he received 13 Grammy Awards, including a lifetime achievement award in 1987. In 1986 Charles was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and received a Kennedy Center Honor, and he was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1993. He published an autobiography, Brother Ray: Ray Charles’ Own Story(1978), written with David Ritz. He was the subject of the acclaimed biopic Ray(2004), which starred Jamie Foxxas Charles in an Academy Award-winning performance.
What did Charles do in his career?
Charles built a remarkable career based on the immediacy of emotion in his performances. After emerging as a bluesand jazz pianist indebted to Nat King Cole’s style in the late 1940s, Charles recorded the boogie-woogieclassic “Mess Around” and the novelty song“It Should’ve Been Me” in 1952–53. His arrangement for Guitar Slim’s “The Things That I Used to Do” became a blues million-seller in 1953. By 1954 Charles had created a successful combination of blues and gospel influences and signed on with Atlantic Records. Propelled by Charles’s distinctive raspy voice, “I’ve Got a Woman” and “Hallelujah I Love You So” became hit records. “What’d I Say” led the rhythm and blues sales charts in 1959 and was Charles’s own first million-seller.
Who signed Ray Charles and Little Richard?
rhythm and blues. Brown and LaVern Baker—and signed Ray Charles, who had been imitating Charles Brown, and helped him find a new direction, which eventually would evolve into soul.
How old was Charles when he went blind?
When Charles was an infant his family moved to Greenville, Florida, and he began his musical career at age five on a piano in a neighbourhood café. He began to go blind at six, possibly from glaucoma, and had completely lost his sight by age seven.
Where did Ray Charles move to?
Robinson’s mother passed away when he was fifteen years old. He decided to move to Seattle, Washington, where he continued his musical development. By 1948, he had become a professional musician, shortening his name to Ray Charles, and forming his own trio. Before his twentieth birthday, Robinson had become a local sensation in the bars and clubs along Seattle’s Jackson Street.
When did Ray Charles become a musician?
By 1948 , he had become a professional musician, shortening his name to Ray Charles, and forming his own trio. Before his twentieth birthday, Robinson had become a local sensation in the bars and clubs along Seattle’s Jackson Street. In 1952, Ray Charles signed with Atlantic Records, one of the largest labels in the country.
What songs did Ray Charles write?
Martin Luther King and after 1963 refused to play before segregated audiences. Charles also composed protest songs such as “Danger Zone” and “You’re in for a Big Surprise.”. Ray Charles continued to write and perform well into the 1990s.
What was Ray Charles' first hit?
He recorded the gospel-influenced “I Got a Woman,” which became his first hit. After adding a female backup group called the ...
Who was Ray Charles Robinson?
Live. •. Ray Charles Robinson, a talented musician, singer and composer, was one of the first African American artists to merge the blues with gospel to pave the way for rhythm and blues (R&B) music. Robinson was born September 23, 1930, in Albany, Georgia . At age five, he began to go blind, and by the age of seven, his sight was completely gone.
What'd I say Charles?
After adding a female backup group called the Raelettes to his lineup, Charles recorded “What’d I Say” in 1959 which made him one of the leading R&B artists in the nation. In the 1960s Charles’s releases moved between pop, R&B and country and western music as he influenced artists and developed audiences in each genre.
Overview
Ray Charles Robinson Sr. (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. He is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential singers in history, and was often referred to by contemporaries as "The Genius". Among friends and fellow musicians he preferred being called "Brother Ray". Charles was blinded during childhood, possibly due to glaucoma.
Early life and education
Ray Charles Robinson was born on September 23, 1930, in Albany, Georgia. He was the son of Bailey Robinson, a laborer, and Aretha (or Reatha) Robinson (née Williams), a laundress, of Greenville, Florida.
During Aretha's childhood, her mother died. Her father could not keep her. Bailey, a man her father worked with, took her in. The Robinson family—Bailey, his wife Mary Jane, and his mother— infor…
Career
After leaving school, Charles moved to Jacksonville to live with Charles Wayne Powell, who had been friends with his late mother. He played the piano for bands at the Ritz Theatre in LaVilla for over a year, earning $4 a night (US$41, in 2021 value ). He joined Local 632 of the musicians' union, in the hope that it would help him get work, and was able to use the union hall's piano to practice…
Legacy
Charles possessed one of the most recognizable voices in American music. In the words of musicologist Henry Pleasants:
Sinatra, and Bing Crosby before him, had been masters of words. Ray Charles is a master of sounds. His records disclose an extraordinary assortment of slurs, glides, turns, shrieks, wails, breaks, shouts, screams and hollers, all wonderfull…
Personal life
Charles stated in his 1978 autobiography, Brother Ray: Ray Charles' Own Story, that he became hooked on women after losing his virginity at 12 years old to a woman about 20. "Cigarettes and smack [heroin] are the two truly addictive habits I've known. You might add women," he said. "My obsession centers on women—did then [when young] and does now. I can't leave them alone," he added.
Death
In 2003, Charles had successful hip replacement surgery and was planning to go back on tour, until he began having other ailments. He died at his home in Beverly Hills, California, of complications resulting from liver failure, on June 10, 2004, at the age of 73. His funeral took place on June 18, 2004, at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Los Angeles, with numerous musical figures in attendance. B.B. King, Glen Campbell, Stevie Wonder and Wynton Marsalis each …
Discography
Charles' discography is highly complex and extensive. AllMusic has listed approximately 60 original albums and more than 200 compilation albums, while music essayist Robert Christgau noted the existence of more. At least 20 record labels have released near-identical compilations of Charles' pre-Atlantic Records tracks, while many of the masters that Charles began to own after 1960 were not digitally reissued, leading the Atlantic sister label Rhino Entertainment to focus on rereleasin…
See also
• Album era
• Progressive soul