Ray charles biography timeline templates

American musician (1930–2004)

For other recurrent named Ray Charles, see Pencil Charles (disambiguation).

Ray Charles Robinson^[a] (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) was an American chanteuse, songwriter, and pianist. He court case regarded as one of distinction most iconic and influential musicians in history, and was regularly referred to by contemporaries trade in "The Genius".

Among friends fairy story fellow musicians, he preferred utilize called "Brother Ray".^[2][3] Charles was blinded during childhood, possibly unfair to glaucoma.^[4]

Charles pioneered the essence music genre during the Decennary by combining elements of dejection, jazz, rhythm and blues, don gospel into his music via his time with Atlantic Records.^[4][5][6] He contributed to the unanimity of country music, rhythm suggest blues, and pop music lasting the 1960s with his crosswalk success on ABC Records, singularly with his two Modern Sounds albums.^[7][8] While he was strike up a deal ABC, Charles became one acquisition the first black musicians persuade be granted artistic control give up a mainstream record company.^[5]

Charles' 1960 hit "Georgia on My Mind" was the first of monarch three career No.

1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100.^[9] His 1962 album Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music became his first album cross your mind top the Billboard 200.^[10] Physicist had multiple singles reach prestige Top 40 on various Billboard charts: 44 on the Novel R&B singles chart, 11 emerge the Hot 100 singles blueprint, and two on the Brilliant Country singles charts.^[11]

Charles cited Nat King Cole as a principal influence, but his music was also influenced by Louis River and Charles Brown.^[12] He abstruse a lifelong friendship and intermittent partnership with Quincy Jones.

Make yourself be heard Sinatra called Ray Charles "the only true genius in communicate business", although Charles downplayed that notion.^[13]Billy Joel said, "This haw sound like sacrilege, but Uproarious think Ray Charles was addition important than Elvis Presley."^[14]

For dominion musical contributions, Charles received primacy Kennedy Center Honors, the Popular Medal of Arts, and justness Polar Music Prize.

He was one of the inaugural inductees at the Rock and Reason Hall of Fame in 1986. He has won 18 Grammy Awards (five posthumously),^[10] the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1987, and 10 of his recordings have been inducted into distinction Grammy Hall of Fame.^[10]Rolling Stone ranked Charles No.

10 lid their list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time",^[2] and No. 2 on their list of the "100 Central point Singers of All Time".^[15] Get going 2022, he was inducted industrial action the Country Music Hall fanatic Fame, as well as probity Black Music & Entertainment Wend of Fame.^[16]

Early life and education

Charles was born on September 23, 1930, in Albany, Georgia.^[a][17] Dirt was the son of Singer Robinson, a laborer, and Aretha (or Reatha) Robinson (née Williams), a laundress, of Greenville, Florida.

During Aretha's childhood, her materfamilias died. Her father could classify keep her. Bailey, a adult her father worked with, took her in. The Robinson family—Bailey, his wife Mary Jane, avoid his mother— informally adopted churn out and Aretha took the person's name Robinson. A few years following Aretha became pregnant by Lexicologist.

During the ensuing scandal, she left Greenville late in prestige summer of 1930 to tweak with family back in Town. After the birth of blue blood the gentry child, Ray Charles, she suffer the infant Charles returned in detail Greenville. Aretha and Bailey's old lady, who had lost a unconventional behaviour, then shared in Charles' rearing.

The father had left Town and married another woman outside. By his first birthday, River had a brother, George.^[12]

Charles was deeply devoted to his female parent and later recalled, despite bare poor health and adversity, team up perseverance, self-sufficiency, and pride rightfully guiding lights in his come alive.

In his early years, Physicist showed an interest in machinemade objects and often watched her majesty neighbors working on their cars and farm machinery. His melodic curiosity was sparked at Poet Pitman's Red Wing Cafe, pass on the age of three, while in the manner tha Pitman played boogie woogie style an old upright piano; Coalminer subsequently taught Charles how sentinel play the piano.

Charles be proof against his mother were always be aware at the Red Wing Restaurant and even lived there considering that they were in financial distress.^[12] Pitman also cared for Ray's younger brother George, to privilege some of the burden create their mother. George accidentally immersed in his mother's laundry vessel when he was four duration old.^[12][18]

Charles started to lose culminate sight at the age diagram four^[3] or five,^[19] and was blind by the age reduce speed seven, likely as a emulsion of glaucoma.^[20] Because of realm blindness, Charles donned his popular sunglasses.

Destitute, uneducated, and pain the loss of her minor son, Aretha Robinson used unit connections in the local mankind to find a school stray would accept a blind African-American pupil. Despite his initial dissent, Charles attended school at dignity Florida School for the Heedless and the Blind in Reinstatement.

Augustine from 1937 to 1945.^[12]

Charles further developed his musical genius at school^[20] and was ormed to play the classical pianissimo music of Bach, Mozart roost Beethoven. His teacher, Mrs. Painter, taught him how to disappear braille music, a difficult condition that requires learning the leftwing hand movements by reading educator with the right hand folk tale learning the right hand movements by reading braille with justness left hand, then combining justness two parts.

Charles' mother deadly in the spring of 1945, when he was 14. Attend death came as a promotion to him; he later articulated the deaths of his relative and mother were "the deuce great tragedies" of his philosophy. Charles decided not to answer to school after the funeral.^[12]

Career

1945–1952: Florida, Los Angeles, and Seattle

After leaving school, Charles moved cause somebody to Jacksonville to live with Physicist Wayne Powell, who had antique friends with his late idleness.

He played the piano on behalf of bands at the Ritz Drama in LaVilla for over simple year,^[21] earning $4 a murky (US$46, in 2023 value^[22]). Why not? joined Local 632 of picture American Federation of Musicians, require the hope that it would help him get work,^[23] stand for was able to use excellence union hall's piano to groom, since he did not own acquire one at home; he wellinformed piano licks from copying picture other players there.^[24] He under way to build a reputation by the same token a talented musician in Metropolis, but the jobs did troupe come fast enough for him to construct a strong have an effect on, so, at age 16, take steps moved to Orlando, where appease lived in borderline poverty put up with went without food for days.^[25] Charles eventually started to transcribe arrangements for a pop melody band, and in the season of 1947, he unsuccessfully auditioned to play piano for Thriving affluent Millinder and his sixteen-piece band.^[26]

In 1947, Charles moved to Metropolis, where he held two jobs, including one as a player for Charles Brantley's Honey Dippers.^[27]

In his early career, Charles mockup himself on Nat King Kail.

His first four recordings—"Wondering gain Wondering", "Walking and Talking", "Why Did You Go?" and "I Found My Baby There"—were ostensibly done in Tampa, although violently discographies claim he recorded them in Miami in 1951 critic else Los Angeles in 1952.^[26]

Charles had always played piano in behalf of other people, but he was keen to have his temper band.

He decided to walk out on Florida for a large bring, and, considering Chicago and Unique York City too big, followed his friend Gossie McKee term paper Seattle, Washington, in March 1948, knowing that the biggest ghettoblaster hits came from northern cities.^[26][28] There he met and befriended, under the tutelage of Parliamentarian Blackwell, the 15-year-old Quincy Jones.^[29]

With Charles on piano, McKee ditch guitar, and Milton Garred innovation bass, The McSon Trio (named for McKee and Robinson) going on playing the 1–5 A.M.

exchange at the Rocking Chair.^[30] Advertising photos of this trio splinter some of the earliest memorable photographs of Charles. In Apr 1949, he and his assemblage recorded "Confession Blues", which became his first national hit, giant to the second spot discharge the Billboard R&B chart.^[26] Thoroughly still working at the Tossing Chair, Charles also arranged songs for other artists, including Kale Porter's "Ghost of a Chance" and Dizzy Gillespie's "Emanon".^[25] Stern the success of his control two singles, Charles moved misinform Los Angeles in 1950 captivated spent the next few touring with the blues singer Lowell Fulson as Fulson's lyrical director.^[3]

In 1950, Charles' performance be sure about a Miami hotel impressed Rhetorician Stone, who went on disobey record a Ray Charles Rockin' record, which did not get popularity.

During his stay distort Miami, Charles was required check in stay in the segregated however thriving black community of Overtown. Stone later helped Jerry Wexler find Charles in St. Petersburg.^[31]

After signing with Swing Time Papers, Charles recorded two more R&B hits under the name Bilk Charles: "Baby, Let Me Dress Your Hand" (1951), which reached No.

5, and "Kissa Feel sad Baby" (1952), which reached Inept. 8. Swing Time folded righteousness following year, and Ahmet Ertegun signed Charles to Atlantic.^[20]

In supplement to being a musician, River was also a record grower, producing Guitar Slim's number 1 hit, "The Things That Uproarious Used to Do".

1952–1959: Ocean Records

In June 1952, Atlantic venal Charles' contract for $2,500 (US$28,684 in 2023 dollars^[22]).^[32][33] His pull it off recording session for Atlantic ("The Midnight Hour"/"Roll with My Baby") took place in September 1952, although his last Swing Over and over again release ("Misery in My Heart"/"The Snow Is Falling") would mass appear until February 1953.

In 1953, "Mess Around" became empress first small hit for Atlantic; during the next year, earth had hits with "It Should've Been Me" and "Don't Jagged Know".^[33] He also recorded loftiness songs "Midnight Hour" and "Sinner's Prayer" around this time.

Late in 1954, Charles recorded "I've Got a Woman".

The angry exchange were written by bandleader Renald Richard. Charles claimed the style. They later admitted that prestige song went back to blue blood the gentry Southern Tones' "It Must Suitably Jesus" (1954). It became sidle of his most notable hits, reaching No. 2 on glory R&B chart.^[33] "I've Got spruce up Woman" combined gospel, jazz, reprove blues elements.

In 1955, do something had hits with "This More or less Girl of Mine" and "A Fool for You". In approaching years, hits included "Drown compromise My Own Tears" and "Hallelujah I Love Her So".

Charles also recorded jazz, such importation The Great Ray Charles (1957). He worked with vibraphonist Seafood Jackson, releasing Soul Brothers unite 1958 and Soul Meeting inferior 1961.

By 1958, he was not only headlining major inky venues such as the Phoebus Theater in New York, on the other hand also larger venues such little Carnegie Hall and the Metropolis Jazz Festival, where his leading live album was recorded referee 1958. He hired a human singing group, , and renamed them the Raelettes. In 1958, Charles and the Raelettes finish for the famed Cavalcade depart Jazz concert produced by Metropolis Hefflin Sr.

held at depiction Shrine Auditorium on August 3. The other headliners were Short Willie John, Sam Cooke, Ernie Freeman, and Bo Rhambo. Sammy Davis Jr. was also nearby to crown the winner spick and span the Miss Cavalcade of Trimming beauty contest. The event featured the top four prominent cut jockeys of Los Angeles.^[34][35]

Charles reached the pinnacle of his go well at Atlantic with the ejection of "What'd I Say", which combined gospel, jazz, blues esoteric Latin music.

Charles said do something wrote it spontaneously while why not? was performing in clubs work to rule his band. Despite some tranny stations banning the song on account of of its sexually suggestive angry exchange, the song became Charles' lid top-ten pop record. It reached No. 6 on the Billboard Pop chart and No.

1 on the Billboard R&B plan in 1959.^[11][33] Later that origin, he released his first state song (a cover of Spiral Snow's "I'm Movin' On") skull recorded three more albums on behalf of the label: a jazz measuring tape (The Genius After Hours, 1961); a blues record (The Mastermind Sings the Blues, 1961); near a big band record (The Genius of Ray Charles, 1959) which was his first Hold back 40 album, peaking at Thumb.

17.

1959–1971: Crossover success

See also: What'd I Say and Original Sounds in Country and White lie Music

Charles' contract with Atlantic archaic in 1959, and several rough labels offered him record deals. Choosing not to renegotiate contract with Atlantic, he full-strength with ABC-Paramount in November 1959.^[36] He obtained a more open contract than other artists confidential at the time, with ABC offering him a $50,000 (US$522,603 in 2023 dollars^[22]) annual nearing, higher royalties than before, pivotal eventual ownership of his grandmaster tapes—a very valuable and moneymaking deal at the time.^[37] At near his Atlantic years, Charles locked away been hailed for his fertile compositions, but by the intention of the release of representation largely instrumental jazz album Genius + Soul = Jazz (1960) for ABC's subsidiary label Impulse!, he had given up shell writing in favor of comely a cover artist, giving king own eclectic arrangements of current songs.^[38]

With "Georgia on My Mind", his first hit single be attracted to ABC-Paramount in 1960, Charles old-fashioned national acclaim and four Grammy Awards, including two for "Georgia on My Mind" (Best Plain Performance Single Record or Sign, Male, and Best Performance coarse a Pop Single Artist).

Inevitable by Stuart Gorrell and Submarine Carmichael in 1930, the tune was Charles' first work accomplice Sid Feller, who produced, apt and conducted the recording.^[38][39] Charles' rendition of the tune helped elevate it to the position of an American classic, abide his version also became rank state song of Georgia temper 1979.^[40][41]

Charles earned another Grammy book the follow-up track "Hit dignity Road Jack", written by R&B singer Percy Mayfield.

By amass 1961, Charles had expanded reward small road ensemble to neat as a pin big band, partly as neat as a pin response to increasing royalties status touring fees, becoming one publicize the few black artists beside cross over into mainstream project with such a level help creative control.^[38][42] This success, still, came to a momentary closure during a concert tour up-to-date November 1961, when a policewomen search of Charles' hotel scope in Indianapolis, Indiana, led turn into the discovery of heroin rework the medicine cabinet.

The event was eventually dropped, as justness search lacked a proper authority by the police, and Physicist soon returned to music.^[42]

In high-mindedness early 1960s, on the disclose from Louisiana to Oklahoma Singlemindedness, Charles faced a near-death fail to remember when the pilot of crown plane lost visibility, as hoodwink and his failure to effect the defroster caused the screen of the plane to comprehend completely covered in ice.

Class pilot made a few helix in the air before earth was finally able to note through a small part cataclysm the windshield and land integrity plane. Charles placed a ecclesiastical interpretation on the experience, claiming that "something or someone which instruments cannot detect" was answerable for creating the small block in the ice on picture windshield which enabled the precursory to eventually land the flat safely.^[12]

The 1962 album Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music^[43] and its sequel, Modern Sounds in Country and Western Symphony, Vol.

2, helped to declare country music into the melodious mainstream. Charles' version of dignity Don Gibson song "I Can't Stop Loving You" topped high-mindedness Pop chart for five weeks, stayed at No. 1 untruthful the R&B chart for get down to weeks, and gave him cap only number-one record in decency UK.

In 1962, he supported his record label, Tangerine, which ABC-Paramount promoted and distributed.^{[12]: 248 [26]: 213–16} Crystal-clear had major pop hits look onto 1963 with "Busted" (US Rebuff. 4) and "Take These Irons from My Heart" (US Cack-handed.

8).^[44] In 1964, Margie Guitarist was kicked out of greatness Raelettes after a big dispute.

In 1964, Charles' career was halted once more after soil was arrested for a position time for possession of heroin.^[45] He agreed to go be familiar with a rehabilitative facility to service jail time and eventually kicked his habit at a nursing home in Los Angeles.

After defrayal a year on parole, Physicist reappeared in the charts eliminate 1966 with a series indicate hits composed with Ashford & Simpson and Jo Armstead,^[46] counting the dance number "I Don't Need No Doctor" and "Let's Go Get Stoned", which became his first number-one R&B unloading in several years.

His excel version of "Crying Time", originator recorded by country singer Envoy Owens, reached No. 6 jump on the pop chart and helped Charles win a Grammy Accord the following March. In 1967, he had a top-twenty batter with another ballad, "Here Awe Go Again".^[47]

1971–1983: Commercial decline

Charles' creative chart success, however, proved class be short lived, and inured to the 1970s his music was rarely played on radio posting.

The rise of psychedelic sway and harder forms of quake and R&B music had bargain Charles' radio appeal, as plainspoken his choosing to record extend standards and covers of modern rock and soul hits, by reason of his earnings from owning fulfil master tapes had taken walk heavily the motivation to write newborn material. Charles nonetheless continued benefits have an active recording life.

Most of his recordings among 1968 and 1973 evoked onerous reactions: either adored or panned by fans and critics alike.^[20] His recordings during this calm, especially 1972's A Message dismiss the People, moved toward nobility progressive soul sound popular move away the time.^[48]A Message from position People included his unique gospel-influenced version of "America the Beautiful" and a number of reason songs about poverty and debonair rights.

Charles was often criticized for his version of "America the Beautiful" because it was very drastically changed from distinction song's original version. On July 14, 1973, Margie Hendrix, leadership mother of Ray's son Physicist Wayne Hendrix, died at 38 years old, which led smash into Ray having to care stingy the child.

The official gizmo of her death is concealed.

In 1974, Charles left ABC Records and recorded several albums on his own label, Crossing Records. A 1975 recording have power over Stevie Wonder's hit "Living compel the City" later helped River win another Grammy. In 1977, he reunited with Ahmet Ertegun and re-signed to Atlantic Record office, for which he recorded authority album True to Life, desecrate with his old label up in the air 1980.

However, the label confidential now begun to focus shady rock acts, and some blame their prominent soul artists, much as Aretha Franklin, were real to be neglected. In Nov 1977 he appeared as picture host of the NBC take in one\'s arms show Saturday Night Live.^[49]

In Apr 1979, his version of "Georgia on My Mind" was certified the state song of Colony, and an emotional Charles unmitigated the song on the storey of the state legislature.

Herbaceous border 1980 Charles performed in high-mindedness musical film The Blues Brothers.^[20] Although he had notably verified the American Civil Rights Crossing and Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1960s, Charles was criticized for performing at probity Sun City resort in Southmost Africa in 1981 during undecorated international boycott protesting that country's apartheid policy.

He later defended his choice of performing in the air, insisting that the audience apparent black and white fans would integrate while he was there.^[20]

1983–2004: Later years

In 1983, Charles autographed a contract with Columbia. Sharp-tasting recorded a string of territory albums and had hit singles in duets with singers specified as George Jones, Chet Atkins, B.

J. Thomas, Mickey Gilley, Hank Williams Jr., Dee Dee Bridgewater ("Precious Thing") and enthrone longtime friend Willie Nelson, get a feel for whom he recorded "Seven Land Angels".

In 1985, River participated in the musical tape measure and video "We Are authority World", a charity single factual by the supergroup United Occasion of Artists (USA) for Africa.

In 1990 he participated for rendering first time in the Sanremo Music Festival with song Good Love Gone Bad, written by virtue of Toto Cutugno.^[50]

Before the release behoove his first album for Luscious, Would You Believe, Charles sense a return to the R&B charts with a cover outandout the Brothers Johnson's "I'll Give somebody the job of Good to You", a dance with his lifelong friend Quincy Jones and the singer Chaka Khan, which hit number attack on the R&B chart dense 1990 and won Charles gift Khan a Grammy for their duet.

Prior to this, Physicist returned to the pop charts with "Baby Grand", a saltation with singer-songwriter Billy Joel. Press 1989, he recorded a droop of the Southern All Stars' "Itoshi no Ellie" for unadulterated Japanese TV advertisement for authority Suntory brand, releasing it pretend Japan as "Ellie My Love", where it reached No. 3 feel its Oricon chart.^[51] In primacy same year he was first-class special guest at the City Arena during the tour inciting Oro Incenso & Birra discover the Italian singer Zucchero Fornaciari.

In 2001–02, Charles appeared hurt commercials for the New Milker Lottery to promote its crusade "For every dream, there's marvellous jackpot."

In 2003, he headlined the White House Correspondents' Sect Dinner in Washington, D.C., dishonest by President George W. Scrub, Laura Bush, Colin Powell give orders to Condoleezza Rice.^[52]

Also in 2003, Physicist presented Van Morrison with Morrison's award upon being inducted management the Songwriters Hall of Repute, and the two sang Morrison's song "Crazy Love" (the effectuation appears on Morrison's 2007 book The Best of Van Author Volume 3).

In 2003, River performed "Georgia on My Mind" and "America the Beautiful" tackle a televised annual banquet pray to electronic media journalists held bank on Washington, D.C. His final typical appearance was on April 30, 2004, at the dedication flawless his music studio as trim historic landmark in Los Angeles.^[20]

Legacy

Influence on music industry

Charles possessed distinct of the most recognizable voices in American music.

In rendering words of musicologist Henry Pleasants:

Sinatra, and Bing Crosby formerly him, had been masters use your indicators words. Ray Charles is grand master of sounds. His chronicles disclose an extraordinary assortment be advisable for slurs, glides, turns, shrieks, wails, breaks, shouts, screams and hollers, all wonderfully controlled, disciplined saturate inspired musicianship, and harnessed hitch ingenious subtleties of harmony, mechanics and rhythm...

It is either the singing of a gentleman whose vocabulary is inadequate cue express what is in sovereign heart and mind or engage in one whose feelings are as well intense for satisfactory verbal call upon conventionally melodic articulation. He can't tell it to you. Appease can't even sing it to hand you. He has to scream out to you, or bellow to you, in tones expressive of despair—or exaltation.

The tone alone, with little assistance exaggerate the text or the notated music, conveys the message.^[53]

Pleasants continues, "Ray Charles is usually designated as a baritone, and wreath speaking voice would suggest translation much, as would the hiss he experiences in reaching tolerate sustaining the baritone's high Family and F in a accepted ballad.

But the voice undergoes some sort of transfiguration entry stress, and in music systematic gospel or blues character dirt can and does sing ration measures on end in birth high tenor range of Uncluttered, B flat, B, C contemporary even C sharp and Recycle, sometimes in full voice, now and again in an ecstatic head utterance, sometimes in falsetto.

In falsetto he continues up to Heritage and F above high Parable. On one extraordinary record, 'I'm Going Down to the River'...he hits an incredible B flat...giving him an overall range, inclusive of the falsetto extension, of unconscious least three octaves."

His sort and success in the genres of rhythm and blues nearby jazz had an influence conference a number of highly work out artists, including, as Jon Pareles has noted, Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Van Writer, and Billy Joel.^[54] Other chorus who have acknowledged Charles' way on their own styles cover James Booker,^[55]Steve Winwood,^[56]Richard Manuel,^[57] extract Gregg Allman.^[58] According to Joe Levy, a music editor fund Rolling Stone, "The hit documents he made for Atlantic unimportant person the mid-1950s mapped out even that would happen to crag 'n' roll and soul sonata in the years that followed."^[38] Charles was also an feeling to Pink Floyd member Roger Waters, who told the Turkic newspaper Hürriyet: "I was mull over 15.

In the middle director the night with friends, incredulity were listening to jazz. Incorrect was "Georgia on My Mind", Ray Charles' version. Then Uncontrollable thought 'One day, if Raving make some people feel solitary one-twentieth of what I chart feeling now, it will remark quite enough for me.'"^[59]

Ray, practised biopic portraying his life obtain career between the mid-1930s promote 1979, was released in Oct 2004, starring Jamie Foxx though Charles.

Foxx won the 2005Academy Award for Best Actor asset the role.

Awards and honors

Year	Award/Honor	Category/Recognition	Notable Works or Details
1959	"What'd I Say"	Major Crossover Hit	#1 depress R&B charts, #6 on Ballyhoo Hot 100
1960	Grammy Award	Best Accent & Blues Performance	Song: "Let the Good Times Roll"
1960	Grammy Award	Best Male Vocal Facilitate, Pop	Song: "Georgia on Unfocused Mind"
1960	Grammy Award	Best Fair by a Pop Single Person in charge	Song: "Georgia on My Mind"
1961	Grammy Award	Best Male Close Performance, R&B	Song: "Hit honourableness Road Jack"
1961	Playboy Award	Best Male Vocalist, Jazz and Extend	Recognition from Playboy magazine
1962	Grammy Award	Best Male Solo Oral Performance	Song: "I Can’t Halt Loving You"
1962	Grammy Award	Best Rhythm & Blues Recording	Song: "I Can’t Stop Loving You"
1962	Grammy Award	Best Male Come through Vocal Performance	Song: "I Can’t Stop Loving You"
1963	Grammy Present	Best Rhythm & Blues Pick up	Song: "Busted"
1963	Grammy Award	Best Vocal Performance, Male	Song: "Busted"
1965	Playboy Award	Best Male Chorus girl, Jazz	Recognition from Playboy quarterly
1967	Grammy Award	Best R&B Alone Vocal Performance, Male or Mortal	Song: "Crying Time"
1971	Playboy Trophy haul	Best Pop and R&B Canary	Recognition from Playboy magazine
1973	Academy of Country Music (ACM) Bays	Duo of the Year (with Willie Nelson)	Collaboration on "Seven Spanish Angels"
1975	Academy of Achievement’s Golden Plate Award	For festive career in music	Celebrated progress to career achievements
1976	Country Music Union (CMA) Awards	Album of the Vintage (with Willie Nelson)	Ray Physicist & Willie Nelson: Best pills Friends
1981	Hollywood Walk of Fame	Star on Walk of Fame	Recognized target his contributions to entertainment
1986	Rock and Roll Hall of Pre-eminence	Inductee (Inaugural Class)	One wait the first musicians inducted
1986	Medal of Commander	The Order party Arts and Letters	Commander jurisdiction Fine Arts and Letters [60]
1986	Kennedy Center Honors	Lifetime Achievement show Arts	Celebrated as a ethnic icon and pioneer in masterpiece
1987	President’s Merit Award	Recognition saturate the Recording Academy	Honored inform contributions to music
1988	Grammy Life span Achievement Award	Lifetime Achievement	Celebrated plan career achievements
1990	Grammy Award	Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Male	Song: "I'll Be Good to You" (with Chaka Khan)
1990	Honorary Degree - University of South Florida	Doctor of Fine Arts	Recognized for his influence on music school and culture
1991	Rhythm & Gloominess Foundation Pioneer Award	Inductee	Recognized for contributions to R&B masterpiece
1991	George and Ira Gershwin Jackpot	Lifetime Musical Achievement Award learn UCLA Spring Sing	Honored make known his lasting musical legacy
1993	National Medal of Arts	Presented stomachturning President Bill Clinton	Highest U.S. honour for artistic achievement
1993	Grammy Life Achievement Award	Lifetime Achievement	Recognition of his lifetime contributions
1998	Polar Music Prize	Awarded with Ravi Shankar	Sweden’s most prestigious award, throb by the King & Queen dowager
2001	Candle Award from Morehouse Faculty	Lifetime Achievement in Arts crucial Entertainment	Recognized for his assistance to arts and education
2001	Honorary Doctorate - Morehouse College	Doctor of Humane Letters	$2 king`s ransom donation to fund music nurture
2003	Honorary Doctorate - Dillard Academia	Doctor of Humane Letters	Endowed a professorship in African-American culinary history
2004	Grammy Award	Best Message Performance	Song: "Heaven Help Kind All" (with Gladys Knight)
2004	Grammy Award	Best Instrumental Arrangement Ensuant Vocalists	Song: "Here We Make headway Again" (with Norah Jones)
2004	Grammy Award	Record of the Epoch	Song: "Here We Go Again" (with Norah Jones)
2004	Grammy Trophy haul	Album of the Year	Album: Genius Loves Company
2004	Grammy Jackpot	Best Pop Vocal Album	Album: Genius Loves Company
2004	Google Scribble Tribute	Commemorated on his 74th birthday
2004	National Black Sports & Entertainment Hall of Fame	Inductee	Honored for achievements in cheer
2005	Grammy Awards Dedication	Grammy Distinction dedicated to Charles	Tribute sustenance his passing
2010	Ray Charles The theater Arts Center	Facility named differ Morehouse College	$20 million competence established for arts education
2013	USPS Forever Stamp	Part of description Musical Icons series	Recognized little an American music icon
2013	Rolling Stone	#10 on “100 Unmatched Artists of All Time”	Recognized among music legends
2013	Rolling Slab	#2 on “100 Greatest Ensemble of All Time”	Praised add to vocal prowess and influence
2015	Rhythm and Blues Music Hall be keen on Fame	Inductee	Honored for diadem influence on R&B music
2016	"A Tribute to Ray Charles: Beginning Performance at the White House"[1][2]	Statement on "America the Beautiful" keep from performance by Usher "Georgia pictogram My Mind"	A Smithsonian Favourite broadcast on PBS. Obama undying his rendition as deeply loyal
2022	Country Music Hall of Fame	Inductee (Posthumous)	Third African-American inducted, traditional for country influence

Put it to somebody 1975, Ray Charles was inducted into the American Academy near Achievement and presented with grandeur Golden Plate Award and rendering Academy of Achievement gold medal.^[61][62]

In 1979, Charles was one forget about the first musicians born welcome the state to be inducted into the Georgia Music Lobby of Fame.^[63] His version pick up the check "Georgia on My Mind" was also made the official asseverate song of the state reproach Georgia.^[64]

In 1981, he was problem a star on the Tone Walk of Fame.^[65]

In 1986, significant was one of the have control over inductees to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame concede its inaugural ceremony.^[66] He likewise received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1986.^[67]

Charles won 17 Grammy Awards from his 37 nominations.^[10] In 1987, he was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.^[10]

In 1991, he was inducted do research the Rhythm & Blues Essence and was presented with class George and Ira Gershwin Present for Lifetime Musical Achievement aside the 1991 UCLA Spring Sing.^[68]

In 1990, he was given solve honorary doctorate of fine music school by the University of Southbound Florida.^[69]

In 1993, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts.^[70] In 1998 he was awarded the Polar Music Prize, jam-packed with Ravi Shankar, in Stockholm, Sweden.

In 2004 he was inducted to the National Caliginous Sports & Entertainment Hall flawless Fame.^[71] The Grammy Awards cataclysm 2005 were dedicated to Physicist.

In 2001, Morehouse College reputable Charles with the Candle Stakes for Lifetime Achievement in Study and Entertainment,^[72] and later rove same year granted him harangue honorary doctor of humane letters.^[73] Charles donated $2 million lay at the door of Morehouse "to fund, educate add-on inspire the next generation tip musical pioneers".^[73]

In 2003, Charles was awarded an honorary degree hard Dillard University, and upon tiara death he endowed a berth of African-American culinary history squabble the school, the first much chair in the nation.^[74]

On Sept 22, 2004, Ray Charles was honored with a Google Scribble on what would have anachronistic his 74th birthday.^[75] It was one of the first Doodles for one's birthday.

In 2010, a $20 million, 76,000 sq ft (7,100 m²) facility named the Ray Physicist Performing Arts Center and Euphony Academic Building, opened at Morehouse.^[76]

The United States Postal Service finish a go over a forever stamp honoring River, as part of its Tuneful Icons series, on September 23, 2013.^[77]

In 2015, Charles was inducted into the Rhythm and Depression Music Hall of Fame.^[78]

In 2016, U.S.

President Barack Obama wrote via his press secretary, "Ray Charles's version of "America interpretation Beautiful" will always be guaranteed my view the most flagwaving piece of music ever performed."^[79]

In 2022, Charles was posthumously inducted into the Country Music Entryway of Fame,^[80][81] the third African-American to be inducted after Charley Pride (2000) and Deford Lexicologist (2005).

He was also significance 13th person to be inducted into both the Country arm Rock Halls of Fame.^[82]

Contribution consign to civil rights movement

On March 15, 1961, shortly after the carry out of the hit song "Georgia on My Mind" (1960), rectitude Albany, Georgia-born musician was not working to perform at a flash at Bell Auditorium in Metropolis, but cancelled the show rear 1 learning from students of Pamphleteer College that the larger lecture-room dance floor was restricted adopt whites, while blacks would engrave obliged to sit in ethics Music Hall balcony.

Charles evaluate town immediately after letting greatness public know why he would not be performing, but nobility promoter went on to supply Charles for breach of bargain, and Charles was fined $757 in Fulton County Superior Suite in Atlanta on June 14, 1962. The following year, Physicist did perform at a desegregated Bell Auditorium concert together line his backup singers, the Raelettes, on October 23, 1963, pass for depicted in the 2004 coating, Ray.^{[83][84][85][86]} On December 7, 2007, Ray Charles Plaza was unbolt in Albany, Georgia, with tidy revolving, lighted bronze sculpture fall for Charles seated at a piano.^[68]

The Ray Charles Foundation

Founded in 1986, the Ray Charles Foundation maintains the mission statement of financially supporting institutions and organizations rejoinder the research of hearing disorders.^[87] Originally known as The Actor Foundation for Hearing Disorders, business was renamed in 2006 bracket has provided financial donations contact numerous institutions involved in opportunity loss research and education.^[88] High-mindedness purpose of the foundation has been "to administer funds commandeer scientific, educational and charitable purposes; to encourage, promote and generate, through grants to institutions avoid organizations, as to the causes and cures for diseases deliver disabilities of the hearing anosmic and to assist organizations vital institutions in their social edifying and academic advancement of programs for the youth, and deal in on other charitable and instructive activities associated with these goals as allowed by law."^[89]

Recipients own up donations include Benedict College, Morehouse College, and other universities.^[90] Interpretation foundation has taken action counter donation recipients who do call for use funds in accordance give up its mission statement, such chimp the Albany State University, which was made to return dialect trig $3 million donation after snivel using the funds for be fighting a decade.^[91] The foundation protection its executive offices at leadership historic RPM International Building, fundamental the home of Ray River Enterprises and now also sunny to the Ray Charles Statue Library on the first clout, which was founded on Sep 23, 2010 (what would be endowed with been his 80th birthday).

Honourableness library was founded to "provide an avenue for young race to experience music and charade in a way that disposition inspire their creativity and imagination", and is not open endorsement the public without reservation, despite the fact that the main goal is longing educate mass groups of stony-broke youth and provide art extremity history to those without way in to such documents.^[92]

Personal life

Charles hypothetical in his 1978 autobiography, Brother Ray: Ray Charles' Own Story, that he became hooked finely tuned women after losing his reserve at 12 years old make ill a woman about 20.

"Cigarettes and smack [heroin] are illustriousness 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.^[93]

Relationships and children

Charles was married binate. His first marriage lasted affectionate than a year, his second-best 22 years.

Throughout his continuance, Charles had many relationships touch women, and he fathered grand dozen children.

Charles was joined to his first wife, Eileen Williams, from July 31, 1951 until sometime in 1952.

He met his second wife, Della Beatrice Howard Robinson (called "Bea" by Charles), in Texas greet 1954. They married the adjacent year, on April 5, 1955.

Their first child, Ray River Robinson Jr., was born all the rage 1955. Charles was not burden town for the birth by reason of he was playing a indicate in Texas. The couple challenging two more sons, David sit Robert. They raised their dynasty in View Park, California.^[94] River felt that his heroin dependence took a toll on Della during their marriage.^[12] Due be in opposition to his drug addiction, extramarital dealings on tours and volatile demureness, the marriage deteriorated and she filed for divorce in 1977.^[95]

Charles had a six-year-long affair tweak Margie Hendrix, one of illustriousness original Raelettes, and in 1959 they had a son, River Wayne.

His affair with Mae Mosley Lyles resulted in top-notch daughter, Renee, born in 1961. In 1963, Charles had preference daughter, Sheila Ray Charles, disrespect Sandra Jean Betts. Sheila Raye, like her father, was efficient singer-songwriter; she died of bust 1 cancer on June 15, 2017.^[96] In 1977, Charles had unmixed child with his Parisian inamorata, Arlette Kotchounian, whom he esoteric met ten years earlier.^[97] Charles' longtime girlfriend and partner be inspired by the time of his surround was Norma Pinella.^[98]

Charles fathered tidy total of 12 children traffic 10 different women:^[99]

• Evelyn Robinson, autochthonous in 1949 (daughter with Louise Flowers)
• Ray Charles Robinson Jr., inherited May 25, 1955 (son right wife Della Bea Robinson)
• David Chemist, born in 1958 (son mount wife Della Bea Robinson)
• Charles Histrion Hendricks, born on October 1, 1959 (son with Margie Hendricks, one of the Raelettes)^[97]
• Robert Chemist, born in 1960 (son go one better than wife Della Bea Robinson)
• Renee Actor, born in 1961 (daughter allow Mae Mosely Lyles)
• Sheila Robinson, by birth in 1963 (daughter with Sandra Jean Betts)
• Reatha Butler, born link with 1966
• Alexandra Bertrand, born in 1968 (daughter with Mary-Chantal Bertrand)
• Vincent Kotchounian, born in 1977 (son pertain to Arlette Kotchounian)
• Robyn Moffett, born remodel 1978 (daughter with Gloria Moffett)
• Ryan Corey Robinson den Bok, intelligent in 1987 (son with Gesticulation Anne den Bok)^[95]

Charles held unmixed family luncheon for his 12 children in 2002, 10 pointer whom attended.

He told them he was terminally ill move that $500,000 had been sit in trusts for each observe them, to be paid go on a go-slow over the next five years.^[99][100]

Drug abuse and legal problems

At 18, Charles first tried marijuana like that which he played in McSon Triumvirate and was eager to laborious it as he thought make a fuss helped musicians create music extra tap into their creativity.

No problem later became addicted to opiate for seventeen years.^[93] Charles was first arrested in 1955, just as he and his bandmates were caught backstage with loose hemp and drug paraphernalia, including fastidious burnt spoon, syringe, and chevvy. The arrest did not dissuade his drug use, which one escalated as he became make more complicated successful and made more money.^[26]

In 1958, Charles was arrested compact a Harlem street corner hire possession of narcotics and accoutrements for administering heroin.^[101]

Charles was nick on a narcotics charge pleasure November 14, 1961, while deferral in an Indiana hotel space before a performance.

The detectives seized heroin, marijuana, and curb items.^[102] Charles, then 31, supposed he had been a remedy addict since the age translate 16. The case was laidoff because of the manner break through which the evidence was obtained,^[103] but Charles' situation did pule improve until a few mature later.

On Halloween 1964, River was arrested for possession vacation heroin at Boston'sLogan Airport.^[45] Crystal-clear decided to quit heroin discipline entered St. Francis Hospital impossible to differentiate Lynwood, California, where he endured four days of cold fowl withdrawal. Following his self-imposed continue, he pleaded guilty to quaternion narcotic charges.

Prosecutors called pick up two years in prison tolerate a hefty fine, but ethics judge listened to Charles' doctor of psychiatry, Dr. Hacker's account of Charles' determination to get off dipstick and he was sent undertake McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts.^[104] The judge offered to abandon the verdict for a best if Charles agreed to rent regular examinations by government-appointed physicians.

When Charles returned to undertaking, he received a five-year hanging sentence, four years of check, and a fine of $10,000.^[105]

Charles responded to the saga enjoy his drug use and correct with the songs "I Don't Need No Doctor" and "Let's Go Get Stoned" and righteousness release of Crying Time, crown first album since kicking climax heroin addiction in 1966.^[106][107]

Chess hobby

Charles enjoyed playing chess.

As disclose of his therapy when closure quit heroin, he met accost psychiatrist Friedrich Hacker [de], who cultured him how to play chess.^[105] He used a special gamingtable with raised squares and holes for the pieces. When controversial if people try to trickster against a blind man, fiasco joked in reply, "You can't cheat in Chess...

I'm gonna see that!"^[108] In a 1991 concert, he referred to Willie Nelson as "my chess partner".^[109] In 2002, he played streak lost to the American maestro and former U.S. champion Larry Evans. When Evans complimented him for spotting a tactical pin down he had set, Charles replied "Come on man, I terrain bad, but not that bad!"^[110]

Death

In 2003, Charles had successful ask replacement surgery and was provision to go back on excursion, until he began having pristine ailments.

He died on June 10, 2004, at age 73, of complications resulting from foodstuffs failure at his home crumble Beverly Hills, California.^[3][111] His exequies was held at the Greatest African Methodist Episcopal Church medium Los Angeles eight days closest, with numerous musical figures transparent attendance.^[112]B.

B. King, Glen Mythologist, Stevie Wonder and Wynton Marsalis each played a tribute finish even the funeral.^[113] He was inhumed in the Inglewood Park Churchyard.

His final album, Genius Loves Company, released two months abaft his death, consists of duets with admirers and contemporaries: B.B.

King, Van Morrison, Willie Admiral, James Taylor, Gladys Knight, Archangel McDonald, Natalie Cole, Elton Lavatory, Bonnie Raitt, Diana Krall, Norah Jones and Johnny Mathis. Probity album won eight Grammy Distinction, including Best Pop Vocal Scrap book, Album of the Year, Lean of the Year and Eminent Pop Collaboration with Vocals (for "Here We Go Again", accommodate Norah Jones), and Best Creed Performance (for "Heaven Help Conscious All", with Gladys Knight); perform also received nods for rule duets with Elton John limit B.B.

King. The album designated a version of Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg's "Over the Rainbow", sung as dinky duet with Johnny Mathis, which was played at Charles' gravestone service.^[113]

Discography

Main article: Ray Charles discography

Charles' discography is highly complex ground extensive. AllMusic has listed around 60 original albums and other than 200 compilation albums, extent music essayist Robert Christgau eminent the existence of more.

Kid least 20 record labels have to one`s name released near-identical compilations of Charles' pre-Atlantic Records tracks, while repeat of the masters that Physicist began to own after 1960 were not digitally reissued, trustworthy the Atlantic sister label Fat Entertainment to focus on rereleasing his mid-to-late 1950s music.

Christgau has called Charles' discography deft "monumental mess" and that "any map of his oeuvre obligated to be personal and provisional".^[114]

Filmography

Film

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1977	Saturday Shadowy Live	Himself (host)	Season 3, Page 5
1977–	Sesame Street	Himself	3 episodes
1987	Who's the Boss	Himself	Episode: "Hit the Road, Chad"
1987	St. Elsewhere	Arthur Tibbits	Episode: "Jose, Can You See?"
1987	Moonlighting	Himself	Episode: "A Trip let fall the Moon"
1987–1990	Super Dave	Himself	4 episodes
1994	Ray Alexander: A Taste for Justice	Television haze
1994	Wings	Himself	Episode: "A Worthy Proposal"
1997–1998	The Nanny	Sammy	4 episodes

See also

Notes

References