Ray Charles, an “…American songwriter, musician, leader, and pianist, was well-known. His style was influenced a lot by rhythm and blues and jazz as well as country music. Ray Charles’s career was filled with memorable hits, including “Hit the Road, Jack,” Georgia on My Mind, “What’d I Say” and “What’d I Say.” Charles is often credited for creating “soul,” which is a mixture of blue and gospel styles, with a lot of passion. Charles earned the “Father of Soul” and “Genius of Music” titles due to his creation.

Ray Charles Robinson, “was a child of a poor family, born in Albany on September 23, 30, 1930”. His father Bailey Robinson worked as a mechanic while his mother Aretha Robinson worked as a sharecropper. She raised Charles Robinson and George Robinson during Great Depression. Charles was born in Greenville, Florida. His family later moved there when he was still a child. Charles was born with Glaucoma. This eye disease causes the optic nerve to be damaged and is not treated. Ray Charles Robinson was born Ray Charles. He lost his vision at 5 years old after seeing his brother drown. But, Charles’ eventual blindness turned out to be medical and not traumatizing. When he was seven years old, he went completely blind after his right eye was surgically removed. He was accepted by the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, St. Augustine. He learned braille, typing and basket weaving at this school. Charles also made close friends with a Greenville neighbor who played the piano. This neighbor was a good friend of his and he taught him the blues style piano. His neighbor became blind and he was unable to practice anymore. He was allowed to learn clarinet, piano, and alto Saxophone at his Florida school. He also learned how to arrange and compose music from memory. Charles’s interest in jazz, blues, and classical music was piqued by his strict education at school. He was 15 years old when his mother died. This inspired him to become a professional musician. Shortly thereafter, Charles’ father died, leaving his brother and him orphaned. Charles continued to pursue the music career he had always wanted. He performed solos and toured with various bands, specializing in blues, country and jazz music. “Charles began to find success on the West Coast. He formed the McSon Trio in Seattle with Milt and Gossady Jarret as the first all African-owned group to have a television show sponsored. The group’s first single, “Confession Blues”, was a hit in R&B. Ray Charles was signed by many record companies soon after the group released many more hits.

Charles signed his Atlantic Records first solo contract in 1951 in Los Angeles after he had moved there in 1950. Ray Charles Robinson changed the name of his father to Ray Charles Robinson in order not to be confused with Ray Robinson, a prominent boxer at that time. Charles could perform many types of music including jazz, blues and country. So it took time to discover his own style. Charles’ first hit, “I Got a Woman”, was produced by Ahmet Ertegun (producer) and Jerry Wexler (producer). He was heavily criticised for often using gospel idioms. However, he continued his use of gospel references throughout his career. Many other controversial songs were released by him, including “Drown In My Own Tears” (which was banned on African American radio stations because of its explicit sexuality). Charles had many hits. The record company gave him creative liberty, which allowed Charles to explore different vocal styles. Charles eventually hired a female backup singer group that would perform his well-known call and answer songs like “What’d I Say,” and in 1959, he released his debut album “Ray Charles” and an instrumental album “The Great Ray Charles”

Ray Charles was a prolific billboard hit-maker, with many more hits to follow. However, he has always maintained his distinctive style.

He was both blind and African American, inspiring many people to realize their dreams around the globe. Charles’ determination and hard work helped establish “soul”, a genre still popular today. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame explains that Ray Charles defines soul as “soul.” In 1968, Charles stated that the force of soul was a light that could light up a space. This force radiates from an inner sense of selfhood. It’s a feeling of knowing your past and its meaning. Soul is a way to live, but it’s often the difficult way. Charles was a musician and record artist up until his death due to liver disease in June 2004 at the age of 72.