Ray Charles - Pianist, Singer & All Around Musical Genius

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Ray Charles was born Ray Charles Robinson on the 23rd of September, 1930 in Albany, Georgia. He was the son of poor parents. His life was a tragic story. He and his family were plagued by poverty. His mother had to bring up both him and his brother on her own. When he was five, he was witness to a mishap due to which his younger passed away after he drowned in a laundry tub.

Ray Charles started becoming blind when he was five. Two years later by age seven, he was completely blind. Though there is no confirmed reason, as to why he lost his sight, the two probable reasons why he could have lost his sight is either due to glaucoma (an optic nerve disease) or from an infection in his eyes from soap water that was not treated in time.

He studied in St Augustine School for the Deaf and The Blind. During his school years, tragedy stuck when his parents died - his father two years after his mother. Before he was out of school, he was able to write music and play a number of musical instruments. Well before he was out of school, he was gigging with bands which played varied styles of music. One such stunt with a band called The Florida Playboys is from where he caught on with the style of always wearing shades.

In 1947 at age 17, he moved to Seattle. He was signed to Swingtime Records and had his first hit Confession Blues with them in 1949. Confessing Blues was his only hit with Swingtime Records other than the 1951 recorded number Baby, Let Me Hold Your Hand. Confession Blues reached the no 2 spot on the R&B charts.

In 1952, he signed with Ahmet Ertegun's record label Atlantic Records. He scored big early in the deal with two huge hits in 1953 - Mess Around (composed by Ahmed Ertegun) and It Should Have Been Me. His 1955 song I Got A Woman topped the charts. A string of hits - Drown in My Own Tears. This Little Girl of Mine, The Night Time (Is The Right Time), Mary Ann and Lonely Avenue - which were released all the way up to 1959. He conquered more group with his improvised hit What I'd Say when it made the top ten on the pop charts.

After four years with Atlantic, he got a better deal with ABC which made him switch labels. His time with ABC saw him make a successful crossover in pop music with Hit The Road Jack, Unchain My Heart and Georgia On My Mind. It was with the ABS that released the landmark album in 1962 Modern Sound in Country and Western Music and its sequel Vol. 2.

He was arrested of heroin possession in 1965. He managed to get himself out a jail sentence, by opting to go to rehab. While recuperating, he continued to have hits. Crying Time reached the No. 6 spot on the charts. Georgia On My Mind was made the state song of Georgia. He further etched himself into history by rendering America The Beautiful on TV - the version of the song which is the most revered.

In 1980, he made a cameo in the film The Blues Brothers. He appeared in a Coca Cola advertisement in the early 1990's and said "You Got the Right One Baby". He graced two Presidential occasions - Ronald Reagan's second and Bill Clinton's first inauguration.

Ray Charles continued to be active until his death on the 10th of June, 2004. In 2002, he was part of a Rome peace concert - the first event in the Colosseum since AD 404. Ray Charles was inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame by his fan blues singer Van Morrison with whom he sang Moondance. He gave his last performance on the 30th of April, 2004 singing the two songs he is most known for - America The Beautiful and Georgia On My Mind, at the dedication ceremony of his music studio in Los Angeles.

His album aptly titled "Genius & Friends" was released two months after he passed away. It had him collaborating with many singers whom he personally choose. An album with the accompaniment of the Count Basie orchestra followed - Ray Sings, Basie Swings.

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Ray Charles - pianist, singer and musical genius All Around

Image : http://www.flickr.com

Ray Charles Ray Charles Robinson was born September 23, 1930 in Albany, Georgia was born. He was the son of poor parents. His life was a tragic story. He and his family have been afflicted by poverty. His mother had to carry him and his brother alone. When he was five years has witnessed a breakdown according to which his younger died after being drowned in a wash tub.

Ray Charles began to blind when he was five. Two years later, seven years ago, was completely blind.Although there is no reason why he confirm his eyes, which are two reasons why it probably could have gone blind or lost from glaucoma (a disease of the optic nerve) or an eye infection of soap and water that is not treated in time.

He studied at St. Augustine School for the deaf and blind. During his school years, tragedy stuck when his parents - his father died two years after his mother. Before him was the school, he could write music and play aNumber of musical instruments. Well, it was the first school, was music concerts with bands of varying styles played. That stunt with a band called The Florida Playboys, where he stuck with the style of always wearing sunglasses.

In 1947 at age 17 he moved to Seattle. Was Swing Time Records and had his first success with their Confession Blues in 1949. Confessing Blues was impressed with his only other recorded Swingtime Records in 1951Number Baby, Let Me Hold Your Hand. Confession Blues reached the No. 2 spot on the R & B charts.

In 1952 he signed with Atlantic Records, Ahmet Ertegun. He scored the first major deal with two big hits of 1953 - Mess Around (composed by Ahmed Ertegun), and it should be me in this. His 1955 song "I Got A Woman" topped the charts. A series of strokes - Drown in My Own Tears. This Little Girl of Mine, Time Is The Night (Timing), Mary Ann and Lonely Avenue -they were all paved the way to 1959. He won another group with its improvised hit what should I say, if the top ten on the pop charts.

After four years with Atlantic, he got a better deal with ABC, which made him pass labels. His time with ABC gave him a crossover success in pop music with Hit The Road Jack, Unchain My Heart and Georgia On My Mind. It 'been with ABS, the reference point that the album was released in 1962, Modern Sound of country & westernThe music and his successor, according to Vol

It 'been arrested for possession of heroin in 1965. He made himself a prison sentence, go to rehab. Although he recovered continue to have results. "Crying Time reached No. 6 spot in the standings. Georgia On My Mind "was the song of the state of Georgia did. He also recorded in history to make America The Beautiful on TV - the version of the song that is most revered.

In 1980 he made a guest appearance in the filmThe Blues Brothers. It 'appeared in an advertisement for Coca-Cola in the early 1990s and said: "You Got the Right One Baby." He pardoned two occasions presidential suite - Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton's first inauguration of the second.

Ray Charles is still active until his death June 10, 2004. In 2002 he was part of a concert in Rome for peace - the first event in the Colosseum since 404 AD Ray Charles was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame by his fan-blues singer with Van MorrisonHe sang Moon Dance. He made his last appearance on the 30th April 2004, singing two songs is better known - America The Beautiful and Georgia On My Mind, at the inauguration of his music studio in Los Angeles.

His album, aptly titled "Genius & Friends" was released two months ago, after his death. And he was with many singers, he personally selected. An album with the accompaniment of the Count Basie Orchestra followed - Ray Sings, BasieSwings.

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