Charles, Ray (1930-2004), was an American singer, songwriter, bandleader, and pianist. His style was influenced by gospel music, rhythm and blues, jazz, and country music. Charles was best known for his work in popular music. He became famous for singing such standards as “Georgia on My Mind” (1960) and “I Can’t Stop Loving You” (1962). His other hits included “I Got a Woman” (1955), “What’d I Say” (1959), “Hit the Road Jack” (1961), “Busted” (1963), “Crying Time” (1966), “I’ll Be Good to You” (1990), and “A Song for You” (1993). Ray also recorded a string of successful country music albums in the 1960’s.
Ray Charles Robinson was born on Sept. 23, 1930, into a poor family in Albany, Georgia. He changed his name to Ray Charles in the early 1950’s to avoid being confused with the boxer Sugar Ray Robinson. Charles became blind at the age of 7, possibly from glaucoma. He studied music, piano, and braille at the St. Augustine (Florida) School for the Deaf and Blind. In the late 1940’s, he began touring with his own jazz groups, developing the personal sound as soul singer and instrumentalist that won him international popularity. Charles was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. He died on June 10, 2004. Charles was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2021.
