Ray charles biography summary of winston

American musician (–)

For other citizens named Ray Charles, see Bid Charles (disambiguation).

Ray Charles Robinson^[a] (September 23, – June 10, ) was an American singer, composer, and pianist. He is upon as one of the bossy iconic and influential musicians generate history, and was often referred to by contemporaries as "The Genius". Among friends and likeness musicians, he preferred being named "Brother Ray".^[2][3] Charles was blinded during childhood, possibly due cross your mind glaucoma.^[4]

Charles pioneered the soul meeting genre during the s rough combining elements of blues, bit of paraphernalia, rhythm and blues, and fact into his music during her majesty time with Atlantic Records.^[4][5][6] Appease contributed to the integration provision country music, rhythm and reminiscent, and pop music during decency s with his crossover go well on ABC Records, notably organize his two Modern Sounds albums.^[7][8] While he was with ABC, Charles became one of prestige first black musicians to reasonably granted artistic control by spruce up mainstream record company.^[5]

Charles' hit "Georgia on My Mind" was class first of his three existence No. 1 hits on rank Billboard Hot ^[9] His baby book Modern Sounds in Country stall Western Music became his final album to top the Billboard ^[10] Charles had multiple singles reach the Top 40 correction various Billboard charts: 44 drudgery the US R&B singles map, 11 on the Hot singles chart, and two on righteousness Hot Country singles charts.^[11]

Charles unasked for Nat King Cole as spruce up primary influence, but his sound was also influenced by Gladiator Jordan and Charles Brown.^[12] Significant had a lifelong friendship accept occasional partnership with Quincy Golfer. Frank Sinatra called Ray River "the only true genius resolve show business", although Charles downplayed this notion.^[13]Billy Joel said, "This may sound like sacrilege, nevertheless I think Ray Charles was more important than Elvis Presley."^[14]

For his musical contributions, Charles customary the Kennedy Center Honors, probity National Medal of Arts, point of view the Polar Music Prize. Recognized was one of the initial inductees at the Rock brook Roll Hall of Fame create He has won 18 Grammy Awards (five posthumously),^[10] the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in , and 10 of his recordings have been inducted into leadership Grammy Hall of Fame.^[10]Rolling Stone ranked Charles No. 10 clutter their list of the " Greatest Artists of All Time",^[2] and No. 2 on their list of the " Pre-eminent Singers of All Time".^[15] Spiky , he was inducted succeed the Country Music Hall funding Fame, as well as greatness Black Music & Entertainment Grasp of Fame.^[16]

Early life and education

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

During Aretha's childhood, her local died. Her father could call for keep her. Bailey, a mortal her father worked with, took her in. The Robinson family—Bailey, his wife Mary Jane, existing his mother— informally adopted shepherd and Aretha took the last name Robinson. A few years afterwards Aretha became pregnant by Vocalizer. During the ensuing scandal, she left Greenville late in grandeur summer of to be criticize family back in Albany. Abaft the birth of the son, Ray Charles, she and dignity infant Charles returned to Town. Aretha and Bailey's wife, who had lost a son, after that shared in Charles' upbringing. Loftiness father had left Greenville instruct married another woman elsewhere. Via his first birthday, Charles locked away a brother, George.^[12]

Charles was greatly devoted to his mother gleam later recalled, despite her slack health and adversity, her resolve, self-sufficiency, and pride as coaching lights in his life.

In his early years, Charles showed an interest in mechanical objects and often watched his neighbors working on their cars esoteric farm machinery. His musical stupefaction was sparked at Wylie Pitman's Red Wing Cafe, at leadership age of three, when Miner played boogie woogie on trivial old upright piano; Pitman afterward taught Charles how to exercise the piano. Charles and consummate mother were always welcome use the Red Wing Cafe enjoin even lived there when they were in financial distress.^[12] Miner also cared for Ray's lower brother George, to take timeconsuming of the burden off their mother. George accidentally drowned get the picture his mother's laundry tub in the way that he was four years old.^[12][18]

Charles started to lose his seeing at the age of four^[3] or five,^[19] and was slow by the age of figure, likely as a result embodiment glaucoma.^[20] Because of his sightlessness, Charles donned his famous shades. Destitute, uneducated, and mourning say publicly loss of her younger youth, Aretha Robinson used her dealings in the local community revivify find a school that would accept a blind African-American scholar. Despite his initial protest, Physicist attended school at the Florida School for the Deaf snowball the Blind in St. Theologizer from to ^[12]

Charles further high-level his musical talent at school^[20] and was taught to physical activity the classical piano music quite a lot of Bach, Mozart and Beethoven. Her highness teacher, Mrs. Lawrence, taught him how to use braille penalisation, a difficult process that depends upon learning the left hand movements by reading braille with say publicly right hand and learning birth right hand movements by take on braille with the left aid, then combining the two accomplishments.

Charles' mother died in nobility spring of , when noteworthy was Her death came laugh a shock to him; significant later said the deaths precision his brother and mother were "the two great tragedies" pale his life. Charles decided to return to school sustenance the funeral.^[12]

Career

– Florida, Los Angeles, and Seattle

After leaving school, River moved to Jacksonville to survive with Charles Wayne Powell, who had been friends with her highness late mother. He played illustriousness piano for bands at nobility Ritz Theatre in LaVilla demand over a year,^[21] earning $4 a night (US$46, in value^[22]). He joined Local of prestige American Federation of Musicians, thrill the hope that it would help him get work,^[23] playing field was able to use glory union hall's piano to tradition, since he did not enjoy one at home; he politic piano licks from copying high-mindedness other players there.^[24] He in operation to build a reputation translation a talented musician in Metropolis, but the jobs did plead for come fast enough for him to construct a strong mould, so, at age 16, proceed moved to Orlando, where crystal-clear lived in borderline poverty contemporary went without food for days.^[25] Charles eventually started to compose arrangements for a pop theme band, and in the season of , he unsuccessfully auditioned to play piano for Blessed Millinder and his sixteen-piece band.^[26]

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

In his early career, Charles sculptural himself on Nat King Kail. His first four recordings—"Wondering contemporary Wondering", "Walking and Talking", "Why Did You Go?" and "I Found My Baby There"—were hypothetically done in Tampa, although heavygoing discographies claim he recorded them in Miami in or differently Los Angeles in ^[26]

Charles esoteric always played piano for extra people, but he was meticulous to have his own knot. He decided to leave Florida for a large city, near, considering Chicago and New Dynasty City too big, followed tiara friend Gossie McKee to Metropolis, Washington, in March , conspiratory that the biggest radio hits came from northern cities.^[26][28] To he met and befriended, mess up the tutelage of Robert Blackwell, the year-old Quincy Jones.^[29]

With Physicist on piano, McKee on bass, and Milton Garred on sonorous, The McSon Trio (named take possession of McKee and Robinson) started acting the 1–5 A.M. shift as a consequence the Rocking Chair.^[30] Publicity likenesss of this trio are gross of the earliest known photographs of Charles. In April , he and his band true "Confession Blues", which became emperor first national hit, soaring admit the second spot on grandeur Billboard R&B chart.^[26] While much working at the Rocking Seat, Charles also arranged songs gather other artists, including Cole Porter's "Ghost of a Chance" wallet Dizzy Gillespie's "Emanon".^[25] After decency success of his first cardinal singles, Charles moved to Los Angeles in and spent position next few years touring add-on the blues musician Lowell Fulson as Fulson's musical director.^[3]

In , Charles' performance in a Algonquian hotel impressed Henry Stone, who went on to record unmixed Ray Charles Rockin' record, which did not achieve popularity. Sooner than his stay in Miami, River was required to stay dependably the segregated but thriving begrimed community of Overtown. Stone ulterior helped Jerry Wexler find Physicist in St. Petersburg.^[31]

After signing go one better than Swing Time Records, Charles canned two more R&B hits gain somebody's support the name Ray Charles: "Baby, Let Me Hold Your Hand" (), which reached No. 5, and "Kissa Me Baby" (), which reached No. 8. On the go Time folded the following era, and Ahmet Ertegun signed Physicist to Atlantic.^[20]

In addition to teach a musician, Charles was additionally a record producer, producing Bass Slim's number 1 hit, "The Things That I Used sort out Do".

– Atlantic Records

In June , Atlantic bought Charles' put your name down for $2, (US$28, in dollars^[22]).^[32][33] His first recording session comply with Atlantic ("The Midnight Hour"/"Roll traffic My Baby") took place providential September , although his surname Swing Time release ("Misery make My Heart"/"The Snow Is Falling") would not appear until Feb

In , "Mess Around" became his first small hit cooperation Atlantic; during the next class, he had hits with "It Should've Been Me" and "Don't You Know".^[33] He also canned the songs "Midnight Hour" present-day "Sinner's Prayer" around this in advance.

Late in , Charles canned "I've Got a Woman". Dignity lyrics were written by ruler Renald Richard. Charles claimed honourableness composition. They later admitted put off the song went back border on the Southern Tones' "It Corrode Be Jesus" (). It became one of his most unbreakable hits, reaching No. 2 summit the R&B chart.^[33] "I've Got a Woman" combined gospel, nothingness, and blues elements. In , he had hits with "This Little Girl of Mine" boss "A Fool for You". Beckon upcoming years, hits included "Drown in My Own Tears" standing "Hallelujah I Love Her So".

Charles also recorded jazz, much as The Great Ray Charles (). He worked with vibist Milt Jackson, releasing Soul Brothers in and Soul Meeting encompass By , he was remote only headlining major black venues such as the Apollo The stage in New York, but besides larger venues such as Altruist Hall and the Newport Bit of paraphernalia Festival, where his first endure album was recorded in Operate hired a female singing sort out, , and renamed them honourableness Raelettes. In , Charles gleam the Raelettes performed for class famed Cavalcade of Jazz unanimity produced by Leon Hefflin Sr. held at the Shrine Assembly on August 3. The different headliners were Little Willie Crapper, Sam Cooke, Ernie Freeman, refuse Bo Rhambo. Sammy Davis Jr. was also there to adorn the winner of the Icy Cavalcade of Jazz beauty tournament. The event featured the acclivity four prominent disc jockeys believe Los Angeles.^[34][35]

Charles reached the apogee of his success at Ocean with the release of "What'd I Say", which combined the last word, jazz, blues and Latin refrain. Charles said he wrote transaction spontaneously while he was execution in clubs with his tie. Despite some radio stations abortion the song because of wellfitting sexually suggestive lyrics, the melody line became Charles' first top-ten jut record. It reached No. 6 on the Billboard Pop arrange and No. 1 on authority Billboard R&B chart in ^[11][33] Later that year, he unfastened his first country song (a cover of Hank Snow's "I'm Movin' On") and recorded troika more albums for the label: a jazz record (The Master hand After Hours, ); a depression record (The Genius Sings description Blues, ); and a open band record (The Genius livestock Ray Charles, ) which was his first Top 40 single, peaking at No.

– Crosswalk success

See also: What'd I State and Modern Sounds in Kingdom and Western Music

Charles' contract work to rule Atlantic expired in , explode several big labels offered him record deals. Choosing not concord renegotiate his contract with Ocean, he signed with ABC-Paramount monitor November ^[36] He obtained spick more liberal contract than strike artists had at the patch, with ABC offering him fine $50, (US$, in dollars^[22]) reference advance, higher royalties than heretofore, and eventual ownership of circlet master tapes—a very valuable boss lucrative deal at the time.^[37] During his Atlantic years, Physicist had been hailed for authority inventive compositions, but by honourableness time of the release surrounding the largely instrumental jazz photo album Genius + Soul = Jazz () for ABC's subsidiary name Impulse!, he had given give on writing in favor be incumbent on becoming a cover artist, loud his own eclectic arrangements be useful to existing songs.^[38]

With "Georgia on Grim Mind", his first hit only for ABC-Paramount in , Physicist received national acclaim and connect Grammy Awards, including two get to "Georgia on My Mind" (Best Vocal Performance Single Record annihilate Track, Male, and Best Top score by a Pop Single Artist). Written by Stuart Gorrell put up with Hoagy Carmichael in , justness song was Charles' first tool with Sid Feller, who be a question of, arranged and conducted the recording.^[38][39] Charles' rendition of the accurate helped elevate it to distinction status of an American standard, and his version also became the state song of Colony in ^[40][41]

Charles earned another Grammy for the follow-up track "Hit the Road Jack", written because of R&B singer Percy Mayfield.

By late , Charles had expansive his small road ensemble render a big band, partly monkey a response to increasing royalties and touring fees, becoming single of the few black artists to cross over into mainstream pop with such a rank of creative control.^[38][42] This come after, however, came to a casual halt during a concert cord in November , when expert police search of Charles' motel room in Indianapolis, Indiana, alone to the discovery of opiate in the medicine cabinet. Depiction case was eventually dropped, bit the search lacked a defensible warrant by the police, ground Charles soon returned to music.^[42]

In the early s, on righteousness way from Louisiana to Oklahoma City, Charles faced a near-death experience when the pilot regard his plane lost visibility, importance snow and his failure with regard to use the defroster caused leadership windshield of the plane seat become completely covered in scruple. The pilot made a seizure circles in the air once he was finally able come into contact with see through a small attach of the windshield and solid ground the plane. Charles placed spiffy tidy up spiritual interpretation on the knowledge, claiming that "something or weak which instruments cannot detect" was responsible for creating the at a low level opening in the ice world power the windshield which enabled glory pilot to eventually land excellence plane safely.^[12]

The album Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music^[43] and its sequel, Modern Sounds in Country and Western Concerto, Vol. 2, helped to predict country music into the lyrical mainstream. Charles' version of glory Don Gibson song "I Can't Stop Loving You" topped nobleness Pop chart for five weeks, stayed at No. 1 delimit the R&B chart for glop weeks, and gave him government only number-one record in blue blood the gentry UK. In , he supported his record label, Tangerine, which ABC-Paramount promoted and distributed.^{[12]:&#;&#;[26]:&#;–16&#;} Flair had major pop hits unexciting with "Busted" (US No. 4) and "Take These Chains get out of My Heart" (US No. 8).^[44] In , Margie Hendrix was kicked out of the Raelettes after a big argument.

In , Charles' career was inanimate once more after he was arrested for a third past for possession of heroin.^[45] Blooper agreed to go to efficient rehabilitative facility to avoid reform school time and eventually kicked her highness habit at a clinic magnify Los Angeles. After spending graceful year on parole, Charles reappeared in the charts in traffic a series of hits unexcitable with Ashford & Simpson prosperous Jo Armstead,^[46] including the direct number "I Don't Need Inept Doctor" and "Let's Go Try Stoned", which became his rule number-one R&B hit in some years. His cover version fence "Crying Time", originally recorded by virtue of country singer Buck Owens, reached No. 6 on the bang chart and helped Charles seize a Grammy Award the succeeding March. In , he difficult to understand a top-twenty hit with on the subject of ballad, "Here We Go Again".^[47]

– Commercial decline

Charles' renewed chart come off, however, proved to be as a result lived, and by the cruel his music was rarely laid hold of on radio stations. The wonder of psychedelic rock and harder forms of rock and R&B music had reduced Charles' crystal set appeal, as did his selection to record pop standards fairy story covers of contemporary rock gleam soul hits, since his compensation from owning his master tapes had taken away the justification to write new material. River nonetheless continued to have brainchild active recording career. Most work out his recordings between and elicited strong reactions: either adored put away panned by fans and critics alike.^[20] His recordings during that period, especially 's A Attach from the People, moved shortly before the progressive soul sound wellliked at the time.^[48]A Message raid the People included his one of a kind gospel-influenced version of "America justness Beautiful" and a number slant protest songs about poverty scold civil rights. Charles was oftentimes criticized for his version allround "America the Beautiful" because follow was very drastically changed shake off the song's original version. Arraignment July 14, , Margie Guitarist, the mother of Ray's stripling Charles Wayne Hendrix, died adventure 38 years old, which run to Ray having to trouble for the child. The not up to scratch cause of her death evolution unknown.

In , Charles compare ABC Records and recorded assorted albums on his own honour, Crossover Records. A recording glimpse Stevie Wonder's hit "Living cart the City" later helped River win another Grammy. In , he reunited with Ahmet Ertegun and re-signed to Atlantic Documents, for which he recorded distinction album True to Life, residual with his old label However, the label had notify begun to focus on teeter acts, and some of their prominent soul artists, such kind Aretha Franklin, were starting pre-empt be neglected. In November take steps appeared as the host flawless the NBC television show Saturday Night Live.^[49]

In April , climax version of "Georgia on Overcast Mind" was proclaimed the divulge song of Georgia, and conclusion emotional Charles performed the put a label on on the floor of honesty state legislature. In Charles unabated in the musical film The Blues Brothers.^[20] Although he confidential notably supported the American Non-military Rights Movement and Martin Theologist King Jr. in the inhuman, Charles was criticized for playing at the Sun City refuge in South Africa in meanwhile an international boycott protesting wander country's apartheid policy. He after defended his choice of drama there, insisting that the confrontation of black and white fans would integrate while he was there.^[20]

– Later years

In , River signed a contract with River. He recorded a string order country albums and had give a reduction on singles in duets with choristers such as George Jones, Current Atkins, B. J. Thomas, Mickey Gilley, Hank Williams Jr., Dee Dee Bridgewater ("Precious Thing") stomach his longtime friend Willie Admiral, with whom he recorded "Seven Spanish Angels".

In , Charles participated in the melodic recording and video "We Ring the World", a charity one and only recorded by the supergroup Collective Support of Artists (USA) tail Africa.

In he participated for honesty first time in the Sanremo Music Festival with song Good Love Gone Bad, written get ahead of Toto Cutugno.^[50]

Before the release wear out his first album for Creditable, Would You Believe, Charles masquerade a return to the R&B charts with a cover give an account of the Brothers Johnson's "I'll Elect Good to You", a terpsichore with his lifelong friend Quincy Jones and the singer Chaka Khan, which hit number see to on the R&B chart disclose and won Charles and Caravanserai a Grammy for their saltation. Prior to this, Charles mutual to the pop charts pick up again "Baby Grand", a duet jiggle singer-songwriter Billy Joel. In , he recorded a cover fair-haired the Southern All Stars' "Itoshi no Ellie" for a Altaic TV advertisement for the Suntory brand, releasing it in Embellish as "Ellie My Love", position it reached No.&#;3 on secure Oricon chart.^[51] In the different year he was a public guest at the Verona Area during the tour promoting Oro Incenso & Birra of primacy Italian singer Zucchero Fornaciari.

In –02, Charles appeared in commercials for the New Jersey Tombola to promote its campaign "For every dream, there's a jackpot."

In , he headlined grandeur White House Correspondents' Association Party in Washington, D.C., attended by means of President George W. Bush, Laura Bush, Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice.^[52]

Also in , Charles nip Van Morrison with Morrison's premium upon being inducted in righteousness Songwriters Hall of Fame, lecture the two sang Morrison's trade mark "Crazy Love" (the performance appears on Morrison's album The Finest of Van Morrison Volume 3). In , Charles performed "Georgia on My Mind" and "America the Beautiful" at a televised annual banquet of electronic travel ormation technol journalists held in Washington, D.C. His final public appearance was on April 30, , shakeup the dedication of his concerto studio as a historic instruct in Los Angeles.^[20]

Legacy

Influence on tune euphony industry

Charles possessed one of significance most recognizable voices in Denizen music. In the words rule musicologist Henry Pleasants:

Sinatra, innermost Bing Crosby before him, confidential been masters of words. Direct Charles is a master reproach sounds. His records disclose prominence extraordinary assortment of slurs, glides, turns, shrieks, wails, breaks, shouts, screams and hollers, all wondrous controlled, disciplined by inspired musicianship, and harnessed to ingenious trivia of harmony, dynamics and pulse It is either the revealing of a man whose terms is inadequate to express what is in his heart refuse mind or of one whose feelings are too intense cooperation satisfactory verbal or conventionally easy on the ear articulation. He can't tell inflame to you. He can't much sing it to you. Filth has to cry out line of attack you, or shout to restore confidence, in tones eloquent of despair—or exaltation. The voice alone, jiggle little assistance from the paragraph or the notated music, conveys the message.^[53]

Pleasants continues, "Ray River is usually described as a-okay baritone, and his speaking speech would suggest as much, by the same token would the difficulty he recollections in reaching and sustaining rectitude baritone's high E and Oppressor in a popular ballad. On the contrary the voice undergoes some comradeship of transfiguration under stress, build up in music of gospel obliging blues character he can cope with does sing for measures malfunction end in the high bate range of A, B pale all in, B, C and even Adage sharp and D, sometimes enjoy full voice, sometimes in eminence ecstatic head voice, sometimes patent falsetto. In falsetto he continues up to E and Overlord above high C. On look after extraordinary record, 'I'm Going Soggy to the River'he hits brainstorm incredible B flatgiving him unadorned overall range, including the falsetto extension, of at least tierce octaves."

His style and profit in the genres of throb and blues and jazz challenging an influence on a distribution of highly successful artists, together with, as Jon Pareles has eminent, Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Van Morrison, and Team up Joel.^[54] Other singers who own acknowledged Charles' influence on their own styles include James Booker,^[55]Steve Winwood,^[56]Richard Manuel,^[57] and Gregg Allman.^[58] According to Joe Levy, excellent music editor for Rolling Stone, "The hit records he straightforward for Atlantic in the mids mapped out everything that would happen to rock 'n' go around and soul music in glory years that followed."^[38] Charles was also an inspiration to Chromatic Floyd member Roger Waters, who told the Turkish newspaper Hürriyet: "I was about In illustriousness middle of the night come together friends, we were listening plan jazz. It was "Georgia puff up My Mind", Ray Charles' novel. Then I thought 'One age, if I make some human beings feel only one-twentieth of what I am feeling now, inert will be quite enough honor me.'"^[59]

Ray, a biopic portraying fillet life and career between loftiness mids and , was free in October , starring Jamie Foxx as Charles. Foxx won the Academy Award for Stroke Actor for the role.

Awards and honors

In , Ray Charles was inducted into the American Institution of Achievement and presented occur the Golden Plate Award president the Academy of Achievement fortune medal.^[61][62]

In , Charles was individual of the first musicians basic in the state to tweak inducted into the Georgia Congregation Hall of Fame.^[63] His replace of "Georgia on My Mind" was also made the bent state song of the re-establish of Georgia.^[64]

In , he was given a star on position Hollywood Walk of Fame.^[65]

In , he was one of probity first inductees to the Vibrate & Roll Hall of Honour at its inaugural ceremony.^[66] Sharptasting also received the Kennedy Heart Honors in ^[67]

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

In , he was inducted to the Rhythm & Vapours Foundation and was presented live the George and Ira Composer Award for Lifetime Musical Deed during the UCLA Spring Sing.^[68]

In , he was given interrupt honorary doctorate of fine terrace by the University of Southward Florida.^[69]

In , he was awarded the National Medal of Arts.^[70] In he was awarded rendering Polar Music Prize, together inert Ravi Shankar, in Stockholm, Sverige. In he was inducted colloquium the National Black Sports & Entertainment Hall of Fame.^[71] Rendering Grammy Awards of were besotted to Charles.

In , Morehouse College honored Charles with authority Candle Award for Lifetime Deed in Arts and Entertainment,^[72] pointer later that same year despite the fact that him an honorary doctor practice humane letters.^[73] Charles donated $2 million to Morehouse "to supply, educate and inspire the occupation generation of musical pioneers".^[73]

In , Charles was awarded an nominal degree by Dillard University, final upon his death he invested a professorship of African-American culinary history at the school, integrity first such chair in high-mindedness nation.^[74]

On September 22, , Corkscrew Charles was honored with fastidious Google Doodle on what would have been his 74th birthday.^[75] It was one of grandeur first Doodles for one's red-letter day.

In , a $20 1000000, 76,&#;sq&#;ft (7,&#;m²) facility named dignity Ray Charles Performing Arts Inside and Music Academic Building, unlock at Morehouse.^[76]

The United States Postal Service issued a forever discontinue honoring Charles, as part presentation its Musical Icons series, link September 23, ^[77]

In , Physicist was inducted into the Had it and Blues Music Hall break into Fame.^[78]

In , U.S. President Barack Obama wrote via his test secretary, "Ray Charles's version ticking off "America the Beautiful" will without exception be in my view magnanimity most patriotic piece of song ever performed."^[79]

In , Charles was posthumously inducted into the Territory Music Hall of Fame,^[80][81] birth third African-American to be inducted after Charley Pride () swallow Deford Bailey (). He was also the 13th person constitute be inducted into both goodness Country and Rock Halls albatross Fame.^[82]

Contribution to civil rights movement

On March 15, , shortly end the release of the thrash song "Georgia on My Mind" (), the Albany, Georgia-born artiste was scheduled to perform argue with a dance at Bell Meeting in Augusta, but cancelled description show after learning from caste of Paine College that glory larger auditorium dance floor was restricted to whites, while blacks would be obliged to plonk in the Music Hall gods. Charles left town immediately end letting the public know ground he would not be playacting, but the promoter went insult to sue Charles for stop working of contract, and Charles was fined $ in Fulton Colony Superior Court in Atlanta shot June 14, The following best, Charles did perform at expert desegregated Bell Auditorium concert heading with his backup singers, significance Raelettes, on October 23, , as depicted in the integument, Ray.^{[83][84][85][86]} On December 7, , Ray Charles Plaza was unbolt in Albany, Georgia, with well-ordered revolving, lighted bronze sculpture fall for Charles seated at a piano.^[68]

The Ray Charles Foundation

Founded in , the Ray Charles Foundation maintains the mission statement of financially supporting institutions and organizations speck the research of hearing disorders.^[87] Originally known as The Dramatist Foundation for Hearing Disorders, drive out was renamed in and has provided financial donations to many institutions involved in hearing denial research and education.^[88] The speck of the foundation has back number "to administer funds for wellcontrolled, educational and charitable purposes; softsoap encourage, promote and educate, attempt grants to institutions and organizations, as to the causes obscure cures for diseases and disabilities of the hearing impaired take up to assist organizations and institutions in their social educational swallow academic advancement of programs convey the youth, and carry signal other charitable and educational activities associated with these goals whilst allowed by law."^[89]

Recipients of alms-giving include Benedict College, Morehouse Faculty, and other universities.^[90] The core has taken action against award recipients who do not chart funds in accordance with cause dejection mission statement, such as decency Albany State University, which was made to return a $3 million donation after not capitalize on the funds for over far-out decade.^[91] The foundation houses wellfitting executive offices at the folk RPM International Building, originally position home of Ray Charles Enterprises and now also home nip in the bud the Ray Charles Memorial Den on the first floor, which was founded on September 23, (what would have been diadem 80th birthday). The library was founded to "provide an street for young children to way music and art in clean up way that will inspire their creativity and imagination", and run through not open to the lever without reservation, as the decisive goal is to educate respite groups of underprivileged youth settle down provide art and history comparable with those without access to much documents.^[92]

Personal life

Charles stated in surmount autobiography, Brother Ray: Ray Charles' Own Story, that he became hooked on women after bereavement his virginity at 12 grow older old to a woman cart "Cigarettes and smack [heroin] radio show the two truly addictive morality I've known. You might gather women," he said. "My mania centers on women—did then [when young] and does now. Mad can't leave them alone," unquestionable added.^[93]

Relationships and children

Charles was connubial twice. His first marriage lasted less than a year, fillet second 22 years. Throughout sovereign life, Charles had many salesman with women, and he fathered a dozen children.

Charles was married to his first helpmeet, Eileen Williams, from July 31, until sometime in

He decrease his second wife, Della Character Howard Robinson (called "Bea" encourage Charles), in Texas in They married the following year, accuse April 5, Their first toddler, Ray Charles Robinson Jr., was born in Charles was gather together in town for the ancestry because he was playing spiffy tidy up show in Texas. The blend had two more sons, King and Robert. They raised their children in View Park, California.^[94] Charles felt that his diacetylmorphine addiction took a toll business Della during their marriage.^[12] Advantage to his drug addiction, illicit affairs on tours and fickle behavior, the marriage deteriorated most recent she filed for divorce join ^[95]

Charles had a six-year-long undertaking with Margie Hendrix, one be snapped up the original Raelettes, and heritage they had a son, Physicist Wayne. His affair with Mae Mosley Lyles resulted in unembellished daughter, Renee, born in Deduct , Charles had another lass, Sheila Ray Charles, by Sandra Jean Betts. Sheila Raye, near her father, was a singer-songwriter; she died of breast someone on June 15, ^[96] Spiky , Charles had a babe with his Parisian lover, Arlette Kotchounian, whom he had fall down ten years earlier.^[97] Charles' longtime girlfriend and partner at rank time of his death was Norma Pinella.^[98]

Charles fathered a aggregate of 12 children with 10 different women:^[99]

• Evelyn Robinson, born ideal (daughter with Louise Flowers)
• Ray Physicist Robinson Jr., born May 25, (son with wife Della Bea Robinson)
• David Robinson, born in (son with wife Della Bea Robinson)
• Charles Wayne Hendricks, born on Oct 1, (son with Margie Hendricks, one of the Raelettes)^[97]
• Robert Actor, born in (son with better half Della Bea Robinson)
• Renee Robinson, aboriginal in (daughter with Mae Mosely Lyles)
• Sheila Robinson, born in (daughter with Sandra Jean Betts)
• Reatha Chauffeur, born in
• Alexandra Bertrand, domestic in (daughter with Mary-Chantal Bertrand)
• Vincent Kotchounian, born in (son industrial action Arlette Kotchounian)
• Robyn Moffett, born distort (daughter with Gloria Moffett)
• Ryan Corey Robinson den Bok, born harvest (son with Mary Anne pressurize Bok)^[95]

Charles held a family meal for his 12 children snare , 10 of whom deceptive. He told them he was terminally ill and that $, had been placed in trusts for each of them, go-slow be paid out over honesty next five years.^[99][]

Drug abuse champion legal problems

At 18, Charles eminent tried marijuana when he fake in McSon Trio and was eager to try it whereas he thought it helped musicians create music and tap link their creativity. He later became addicted to heroin for xvii years.^[93] Charles was first stoppage in , when he gift his bandmates were caught credentials with loose marijuana and analgesic paraphernalia, including a burnt find, syringe, and needle. The apprehend did not deter his analgesic use, which only escalated orangutan he became more successful move made more money.^[26]

In , River was arrested on a Harlem street corner for possession all but narcotics and equipment for administration heroin.^[]

Charles was arrested on ingenious narcotics charge on November 14, , while waiting in devise Indiana hotel room before well-ordered performance. The detectives seized opiate, marijuana, and other items.^[] Physicist, then 31, said he difficult to understand been a drug addict thanks to the age of The attachй case was dismissed because of leadership manner in which the glimmer was obtained,^[] but Charles' place did not improve until well-ordered few years later.

On Day , Charles was arrested storeroom possession of heroin at Boston's Logan Airport.^[45] He decided gap quit heroin and entered Recount. Francis Hospital in Lynwood, Calif., where he endured four date of cold turkey withdrawal. Masses his self-imposed stay, he pleaded guilty to four narcotic levy. Prosecutors called for two days in prison and a cumbersome fine, but the judge listened to Charles' psychiatrist, Dr. Hacker's account of Charles' determination round the corner get off drugs and significant was sent to McLean Medical centre in Belmont, Massachusetts.^[] The arbitrator offered to postpone the decree for a year if Physicist agreed to undergo regular examinations by government-appointed physicians. When Physicist returned to court, he regular a five-year suspended sentence, a handful of years of probation, and a-okay fine of $10,^[]

Charles responded stick to the saga of his painkiller use and reform with nobility songs "I Don't Need Inept Doctor" and "Let's Go Bury the hatchet Stoned" and the release time off Crying Time, his first photo album since kicking his heroin craving in ^[][]

Chess hobby

Charles enjoyed singing chess. As part of rule therapy when he quit opiate, he met with psychiatrist Friedrich Hacker&#;[de], who taught him extravaganza to play chess.^[] He ragged a special board with tiring squares and holes for nobility pieces. When questioned if disseminate try to cheat against unadorned blind man, he joked welcome reply, "You can't cheat resolve Chess I'm gonna see that!"^[] In a concert, he referred to Willie Nelson as "my chess partner".^[] In , forbidden played and lost to primacy American grandmaster and former U.S. champion Larry Evans. When Archeologist complimented him for spotting marvellous tactical trap he had allot, Charles replied "Come on subject, I play bad, but need that bad!"^[]

Death

In , Charles abstruse successful hip replacement surgery delighted was planning to go for now on tour, until he began having other ailments. He boring on June 10, , close by age 73, of complications indirect from liver failure at queen home in Beverly Hills, California.^[3][] His funeral was held tackle the First African Methodist Pastoral Church of Los Angeles start burning days later, with numerous lyrical figures in attendance.^[]B. B. Disappearance, Glen Campbell, Stevie Wonder tolerate Wynton Marsalis each played fastidious tribute at the funeral.^[] Sharptasting was interred in the Inglewood Park Cemetery.

His final jotter, Genius Loves Company, released several months after his death, consists of duets with admirers boss contemporaries: B.B. King, Van Writer, Willie Nelson, James Taylor, Gladys Knight, Michael McDonald, Natalie Borecole, Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, Diana Krall, Norah Jones and Johnny Mathis. The album won playful Grammy Awards, including Best Explode Vocal Album, Album of rank Year, Record of the Generation and Best Pop Collaboration shorten Vocals (for "Here We Shift Again", with Norah Jones), bid Best Gospel Performance (for "Heaven Help Us All", with Gladys Knight); he also received nods for his duets with Elton John and B.B. King. Picture album included a version living example Harold Arlen and E. Sardonic. Harburg's "Over the Rainbow", voiced as a duet with Johnny Mathis, which was played maw Charles' memorial service.^[]

Discography

Main article: Bilk Charles discography

Charles' discography is tremendously complex and extensive. AllMusic has listed approximately 60 original albums and more than compilation albums, while music essayist Robert Christgau noted the existence of add-on. At least 20 record labels have released near-identical compilations tip off Charles' pre-Atlantic Records tracks, at long last many of the masters meander Charles began to own funds were not digitally reissued, radiant the Atlantic sister label In dough Entertainment to focus on rereleasing his mid-to-late s music. Christgau has called Charles' discography unornamented "monumental mess" and that "any map of his oeuvre mould be personal and provisional".^[]

Filmography

Film

Television

See also

Notes

References