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10. Payment - ready to pay for your Ray Charles, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.

{{Infobox musical artist | Name = Ray Charles| Img = Ray Charles.jpg| Img_capt = Ray Charles performing at the Grammy Awards rehearsal in 1990.], Georgia (U.S. state), United States, [Florida, United States, [California, United States, [piano, alto saxophone, [soul music, blues, pop music, country music, jazz, gospel music, piano blues, [songwriter, musician, arrangement, bandleader, [ABC Records, Warner Bros. Records| URL = www.raycharles.com-->

Ray Charles Robinson ([September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) known by his stage name Ray Charles, was a pioneering United States pianist and soul music musician who shaped the sound of rhythm and blues. He brought a soulful sound to country music, pop standards, and a rendition of "America the Beautiful" that Ed Bradley of 60 Minutes called the "definitive version of the song, an American anthem — a classic, just as the man who sang it." "The Genius Of Ray Charles", an article about an 1986 segment on Charles from 60 Minutes

Frank Sinatra called him "the only true genius in the business."{{cite news | title = 'Ray Charles' scheduled to 'Hit the Road,' come to Austin | author = Alex Regnery | publisher = The Daily Texan | date = 2006 | url = http://www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2006/11/02/LifeArts/ray-Charles.Scheduled.To.hit.The.Road.Come.To.Austin-2434509.shtml?norewrite200611251702&sourcedomain=www.dailytexanonline.com | accessdate = 2006-11-25--> And in 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked Ray Charles #10 on their list of The Immortals: 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

Biography Early years Ray Charles Robinson was born in Albany, Georgia, Georgia (U.S. state){{cite news | title = A Singular Blend of Styles | author = Adam Bernstein | publisher = Washington Post | date = 2006 | url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A31749-2004Jun10.html | accessdate = 2006-11-25--> to Bailey Robinson, a railroad repair man, mechanic and handyman,http://www.swingmusic.net/Ray_Charles_Biography.html and Aretha Williams, who stacked boards in a sawmill; the two were never married. The family moved to Greenville, Florida, Florida, when Ray was an infant. Bailey had two more families, leaving Aretha to raise the family. When Charles was five, he witnessed his younger brother, George, drown in his mother's large portable laundry tub.http://www.swingmusic.net/Ray_Charles_Biography.html

When he was six, Charles began to go blind, becoming totally blind by the age of seven. Bohème Magazine Obituary: Ray Charles (1930 – 2004) Charles never knew exactly why he lost his sight, though there are sources which suggest Ray's blindness was due to glaucoma. He attended school at the St. Augustine School for the Deaf and the Blind in St. Augustine, Florida, Florida. He also learned how to write music and play various musical instruments. While he was there, his mother died. His father died two years later.

After he left school, Charles began working as a musician in several bands that played in various styles, including jazz and, in Tampa “with a hillbilly band called The Florida Playboys." blacknetwork.com Ray Charles on Ray

Charles moved to Seattle, Washington in 1947 or 1948.{{cite news | title = Charles, Ray (1930–2004) | publisher = HistoryLink | url = http://www.historylink.org/essays/output.cfm?file_id=5707 | accessdate = 2006-11-25--> He soon started recording, first for the label Swingtime Records, achieving his first hit with "Baby, Let Me Hold Your Hand" in 1951 in music, then signed with Ahmet Ertegün at Atlantic Records a year later. When he entered show business, his name was shortened to Ray Charles to avoid confusion with boxing Sugar Ray Robinson http://www.swingmusic.net/Ray_Charles_Biography.html.

Middle years Almost immediately after signing with Atlantic, Charles scored his first hit singles with the label with the rap-like "It Should Have Been Me" and the Ertegun-composed "Mess Around", both making the charts in 1953. But it was Charles' "I Got a Woman" (composed with band mate Renald Richard http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:hvfexxq0ldse) that brought the musician to national prominence. The song reached the top of Billboard's R&B singles chart in 1955 and from there until 1959, Charles would have a series of R&B chart-toppers including "This Little Girl of Mine", "Lonely Avenue", "Mary Ann", "Drown in My Own Tears" and "The Night Time (Is the Right Time)". During this time of transition, he recruited a young girl group from New York named the Cookies as his background singing group, changing their name to the Raelettes in the process. In 1959, Charles crossed over to top 40 radio with the release of his impromptu blues number, "What'd I Say (song)", which was initially conceived while Charles was in concert. The song would reach number 1 on the R&B list and would become Charles' first top ten single on the pop charts, peaking at number 6. Charles would also record one of his finest albums, The Genius of Ray Charles, before leaving Atlantic for a more lucrative deal with ABC Records in 1959. Hit songs such as "Georgia On My Mind", "Hit the Road Jack" and "Unchain My Heart (song)" helped him transition to pop success and his landmark 1962 album, Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music, helped to bring country music into the mainstream.

Later years and First Lady Nancy Reagan in 1984.In 1965, Charles was arrested for possession of heroin, a drug to which he had been addicted for nearly 20 years http://www.swingmusic.net/Ray_Charles_Biography.html . It was his third arrest for the offense, but he avoided prison time after kicking the habit in a clinic in Los Angeles, California. He spent a year on parole in 1966.

During the 1960s and 1970s, Charles' releases were hit-or-miss, with some big hits and critically acclaimed work. His version of "Georgia On My Mind", was proclaimed the state song of Georgia on April 24 ,1979, with Charles performing it on the floor of the Georgia General Assembly. He also had success with his unique version of "America the Beautiful." In November 1977 Charles appeared as the host of NBC's Saturday Night Live.

In the late 1980s a number of events increased Charles' recognition among young audiences. He made a cameo appearance in the popular 1980 film The Blues Brothers (film). In 1985, "The Right Time" was featured in the episode "Happy Anniversary" of The Cosby Show on NBC. In a Pepsi Cola commercial of the early 1990s, Charles popularized the catchphrase "You Got the Right One, Baby!"

In 1989, Charles recorded a cover version of the Japanese band Southern All Stars' song "Itoshi no Ellie" as "Ellie My Love" for a Suntory TV advertisement, reaching #3 on Japan's Oricon chart. List of best-selling international singles in Japan of 1989, Extract from the Year-End chart posted by oricon Eventually, it sold more than 400,000 copies, and became that year's best-selling single performed by a Western artist for the Japanese music market. Ray Charles' albums and singles on Japanese chart, Detail of chart performance

In the late '80s and early '90s, Charles made appearances on Super Dave, where he performed and appeared in a few vignettes where he was somehow driving a car, often as Super Dave's chauffeur. At the height of his newfound fame in the early nineties, Charles did guest vocals for quite a few projects. He also appeared (with Chaka Khan) on long time friend Quincy Jones' hit "I'll Be Good To You" in 1990, from Jones' album Back on the Block.

Following Jim Henson's death in 1990, Ray Charles appeared in the one-hour CBS tribute, The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson. He gave a short speech about the deceased, stating that Henson "took a simple song and a piece of felt and turned it into a moment of great power". Charles was referring to the song It's Not Easy Being Green, which Charles later performed with the rest of the Muppet cast in a tribute to Henson's legacy.

During the sixth season of Designing Women, Ray Charles vocally performed "Georgia On My Mind", rather than the song being rendered by other musicians without lyrics as in the previous five seasons.

Final appearances Gladys Knight performed Charles' "Georgia On My Mind" during the Opening Ceremonies of the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia, Georgia (U.S. state).

In 2000, Charles made a special guest appearance on Blues Clues Big Musical Movie as a fictional character named G-Clef. The Temptations also made a guest appearance as his companions. Charles recorded "There It Is" during and after filming with Steve Burns and Traci Paige Johnson. After recording, Charles commented "This has been the most fun I ever had since I met Ronald Reagan in '84."

In 2002 Charles headlined during the Blues Passions Cognac festival in southern France.

In 2002 he took part - with other musicians - in a peace concert in Rome, which was the first event to take place inside the city’s ancient Colosseum since 404 A.D. The event was organized in partnership with the Glocal Forum and the Quincy Jones Listen Up Foundation.

In June, 2003, Ray Charles presented one of his greatest admirers, Van Morrison, with his award upon being inducted in the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the two sang Morrison's song from the Moondance album, "Crazy Love". This performance is captured on Morrison's 2007 album, The Best of Van Morrison Volume 3.

In 2003 Charles performed "Georgia On My Mind" and "America the Beautiful" at a televised annual electronic media journalist banquet held in Washington, D.C., at what may have been his final performance in public. Ray Charles' final public appearance came on April 30, 2004, at the dedication of his music studio as a historic landmark in the city of Los Angeles.

He died on June 10, 2004 of Hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) at his home in Beverly Hills, California, California, surrounded by family and friends. He was interred in the Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California, California.

His final album, Genius Loves Company, released two months after his death, consists of duets with various admirers and contemporaries: B.B. King, Van Morrison, Willie Nelson, James Taylor, Gladys Knight, Michael McDonald (singer), Natalie Cole, Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, Diana Krall, Norah Jones, and Johnny Mathis. The album won eight Grammy Awards, including five for Ray Charles for Best Pop Vocal Album, Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for "Here We Go Again" with Norah Jones, and 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.

The album included a version of Harold Arlen's "Over the Rainbow", sung as a duet by Charles and Johnny Mathis; that recording was later played at his memorial service.{{cite news | title = Many Pay Respects To Ray Charles | publisher = CBS News | date = 2004 | url = http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/06/10/entertainment/main622401.shtml | accessdate = 2006-11-25-->

Two more posthumous albums, Genius & Friends (2005) and Ray Sings, Basie Swings (2006), were released. Genius & Friends consisted of duets recorded from 1997-2005 with artists were personally chosen by Ray Charles. Ray Sings, Basie Swings consists of archived vocals of Ray Charles from a live 1973 performance added to Count Basie's music. Charles' vocals recorded from the concert mixing board were added to a new accompaniment by the Count Basie Orchestra (among others). Gregg Field, who had performed as a drummer with both Charles and Basie, produced this album.

Controversies and criticisms Despite his support of Martin Luther King, Jr. in the 1960s and his support for the American Civil Rights Movement (1955-1968), Charles courted controversy when he toured South Africa in 1981, during an international boycott of the country because of its apartheid policy.

Personal life Charles was married twice and fathered twelve children by seven different women.http://marriage.about.com/od/entertainmen1/p/charlesray.htmhttp://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/10/14/60minutes/main649346.shtml He was married for the first time to Eileen Williams on July 31, 1951. This marriage produced no children and ended in divorce in 1952. Three children are from his second marriage to Della Beatrice Howard Robinson whom he married on April 5, 1955. They divorced in 1977. His long term girlfriend and partner at the time of his death was Norma Pinella.http://www.findadeath.com/Deceased/c/Raycharles/ray_charles.htm

His children were:

Discography See Ray Charles discography

Filmography

Ray: The Film , with Jamie Foxx in the title role.

Charles was significantly involved in the biopic Ray (film), an October 2004 in film which portrays his life and career between 1930 and 1966 and stars Jamie Foxx as Charles. Foxx won the 77th Academy Awards Academy Awards for Best Actor for the role.

Before shooting could begin, however, director Taylor Hackford brought Foxx to meet Charles, who insisted that they sit down at two pianos and play together. For two hours, Charles challenged Foxx, who revealed the depth of his talent, and finally, Charles stood up, hugged Foxx, and gave his blessing, proclaiming, "He's the one... he can do it."

Charles was expected to attend a showing of the completed film, but he died before it opened in theaters.

As noted in the film's final credits, Ray is based on true events, but includes some characters, names, locations, events which have been changed and others which have been "fictionalized for dramatization purposes." One example of the film's use of Artistic licence are the scenes which refer to Charles as being banned from Georgia (U.S. state).{{cite news | title = 'Ray' appears to stretch truth with ban, protest scenes | publisher = The Associated Press | date = 2004 | url = http://www.accessnorthga.com/news/ap_newfullstory.asp?ID=50598 | accessdate = 2006-08-24-->

The film's credits note that he is survived by 12 children, 21 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren.

Halls of Fame and other honors Besides winning dozens of Grammy Awards in his career, Charles was also honored in many other ways. In 1979, he was one of the first honorees of the Georgia State Music Hall of Fame being recognized for being a musician born in the state.{{cite news | title = List of Inductees

| date = 1979 - 2007 | publisher = Georgia Music Hall of Fame | url = http://www.gamusichall.com/inducteelist.html | accessdate = 2006-11-25--> Ray's version of "Georgia On My Mind" was made into the official state song for Georgia.{{cite news | title = State Song | date = 1979 | publisher = Georgia Secretary of State | url = http://www.sos.state.ga.us/state_capitol/education_corner/state_song.html | accessdate = 2006-11-25--> In 1981, he was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was one of the first inductees to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame at its inaugural ceremony in 1986.{{cite news | title = Inductees | publisher = Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Museum | url = http://www.rockhall.com/hof/inductee.asp?id=76 | accessdate = 2006-11-25--> He received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1986.{{cite news | title = List of Kennedy Center Honorees | date = 1986 | publisher = Kennedy Center | url = http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/specialevents/honors/history/home.html | accessdate = 2006-11-25--> In 1987, he was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1991, he was inducted to the Rhythm & Blues Foundation, in 2004 he was inducted to the Jazz Hall of Fame, and inducted to the National Black Sports & Entertainment Hall of Fame.{{cite news | title = Hall of Fame | date = 2004 | publisher = National Black Sports & Entertainment | url = http://www.harlemdiscover.com/halloffame/ | accessdate = 2006-11-25--> Also in 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked him #10 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time..

In August 2005, the United States Congress honored Charles by renaming the former West Adams, Los Angeles, California Station post office in Los Angeles the "Ray Charles Station".

The Grammy Awards of 2005 were dedicated to Charles.

References External links



{{Persondata], musician, songwriter, music arranger, bandleader, [1930, [Georgia (U.S. state), United States|DATE OF DEATH= June 10, 2004, [California-->

{{Infobox musical artist | Name = Ray Charles| Img = Ray Charles.jpg| Img_capt = Ray Charles performing at the Grammy Awards rehearsal in 1990.], Georgia (U.S. state), United States, [Florida, United States, [California, United States, [piano, alto saxophone, [soul music, blues, pop music, country music, jazz, gospel music, piano blues, [songwriter, musician, arrangement, bandleader, [ABC Records, Warner Bros. Records| URL = www.raycharles.com-->

Ray Charles Robinson ([September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) known by his stage name Ray Charles, was a pioneering United States pianist and soul music musician who shaped the sound of rhythm and blues. He brought a soulful sound to country music, pop standards, and a rendition of "America the Beautiful" that Ed Bradley of 60 Minutes called the "definitive version of the song, an American anthem — a classic, just as the man who sang it." "The Genius Of Ray Charles", an article about an 1986 segment on Charles from 60 Minutes

Frank Sinatra called him "the only true genius in the business."{{cite news | title = 'Ray Charles' scheduled to 'Hit the Road,' come to Austin | author = Alex Regnery | publisher = The Daily Texan | date = 2006 | url = http://www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2006/11/02/LifeArts/ray-Charles.Scheduled.To.hit.The.Road.Come.To.Austin-2434509.shtml?norewrite200611251702&sourcedomain=www.dailytexanonline.com | accessdate = 2006-11-25--> And in 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked Ray Charles #10 on their list of The Immortals: 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

Biography Early years Ray Charles Robinson was born in Albany, Georgia, Georgia (U.S. state){{cite news | title = A Singular Blend of Styles | author = Adam Bernstein | publisher = Washington Post | date = 2006 | url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A31749-2004Jun10.html | accessdate = 2006-11-25--> to Bailey Robinson, a railroad repair man, mechanic and handyman,http://www.swingmusic.net/Ray_Charles_Biography.html and Aretha Williams, who stacked boards in a sawmill; the two were never married. The family moved to Greenville, Florida, Florida, when Ray was an infant. Bailey had two more families, leaving Aretha to raise the family. When Charles was five, he witnessed his younger brother, George, drown in his mother's large portable laundry tub.http://www.swingmusic.net/Ray_Charles_Biography.html

When he was six, Charles began to go blind, becoming totally blind by the age of seven. Bohème Magazine Obituary: Ray Charles (1930 – 2004) Charles never knew exactly why he lost his sight, though there are sources which suggest Ray's blindness was due to glaucoma. He attended school at the St. Augustine School for the Deaf and the Blind in St. Augustine, Florida, Florida. He also learned how to write music and play various musical instruments. While he was there, his mother died. His father died two years later.

After he left school, Charles began working as a musician in several bands that played in various styles, including jazz and, in Tampa “with a hillbilly band called The Florida Playboys." blacknetwork.com Ray Charles on Ray

Charles moved to Seattle, Washington in 1947 or 1948.{{cite news | title = Charles, Ray (1930–2004) | publisher = HistoryLink | url = http://www.historylink.org/essays/output.cfm?file_id=5707 | accessdate = 2006-11-25--> He soon started recording, first for the label Swingtime Records, achieving his first hit with "Baby, Let Me Hold Your Hand" in 1951 in music, then signed with Ahmet Ertegün at Atlantic Records a year later. When he entered show business, his name was shortened to Ray Charles to avoid confusion with boxing Sugar Ray Robinson http://www.swingmusic.net/Ray_Charles_Biography.html.

Middle years Almost immediately after signing with Atlantic, Charles scored his first hit singles with the label with the rap-like "It Should Have Been Me" and the Ertegun-composed "Mess Around", both making the charts in 1953. But it was Charles' "I Got a Woman" (composed with band mate Renald Richard http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:hvfexxq0ldse) that brought the musician to national prominence. The song reached the top of Billboard's R&B singles chart in 1955 and from there until 1959, Charles would have a series of R&B chart-toppers including "This Little Girl of Mine", "Lonely Avenue", "Mary Ann", "Drown in My Own Tears" and "The Night Time (Is the Right Time)". During this time of transition, he recruited a young girl group from New York named the Cookies as his background singing group, changing their name to the Raelettes in the process. In 1959, Charles crossed over to top 40 radio with the release of his impromptu blues number, "What'd I Say (song)", which was initially conceived while Charles was in concert. The song would reach number 1 on the R&B list and would become Charles' first top ten single on the pop charts, peaking at number 6. Charles would also record one of his finest albums, The Genius of Ray Charles, before leaving Atlantic for a more lucrative deal with ABC Records in 1959. Hit songs such as "Georgia On My Mind", "Hit the Road Jack" and "Unchain My Heart (song)" helped him transition to pop success and his landmark 1962 album, Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music, helped to bring country music into the mainstream.

Later years and First Lady Nancy Reagan in 1984.In 1965, Charles was arrested for possession of heroin, a drug to which he had been addicted for nearly 20 years http://www.swingmusic.net/Ray_Charles_Biography.html . It was his third arrest for the offense, but he avoided prison time after kicking the habit in a clinic in Los Angeles, California. He spent a year on parole in 1966.

During the 1960s and 1970s, Charles' releases were hit-or-miss, with some big hits and critically acclaimed work. His version of "Georgia On My Mind", was proclaimed the state song of Georgia on April 24 ,1979, with Charles performing it on the floor of the Georgia General Assembly. He also had success with his unique version of "America the Beautiful." In November 1977 Charles appeared as the host of NBC's Saturday Night Live.

In the late 1980s a number of events increased Charles' recognition among young audiences. He made a cameo appearance in the popular 1980 film The Blues Brothers (film). In 1985, "The Right Time" was featured in the episode "Happy Anniversary" of The Cosby Show on NBC. In a Pepsi Cola commercial of the early 1990s, Charles popularized the catchphrase "You Got the Right One, Baby!"

In 1989, Charles recorded a cover version of the Japanese band Southern All Stars' song "Itoshi no Ellie" as "Ellie My Love" for a Suntory TV advertisement, reaching #3 on Japan's Oricon chart. List of best-selling international singles in Japan of 1989, Extract from the Year-End chart posted by oricon Eventually, it sold more than 400,000 copies, and became that year's best-selling single performed by a Western artist for the Japanese music market. Ray Charles' albums and singles on Japanese chart, Detail of chart performance

In the late '80s and early '90s, Charles made appearances on Super Dave, where he performed and appeared in a few vignettes where he was somehow driving a car, often as Super Dave's chauffeur. At the height of his newfound fame in the early nineties, Charles did guest vocals for quite a few projects. He also appeared (with Chaka Khan) on long time friend Quincy Jones' hit "I'll Be Good To You" in 1990, from Jones' album Back on the Block.

Following Jim Henson's death in 1990, Ray Charles appeared in the one-hour CBS tribute, The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson. He gave a short speech about the deceased, stating that Henson "took a simple song and a piece of felt and turned it into a moment of great power". Charles was referring to the song It's Not Easy Being Green, which Charles later performed with the rest of the Muppet cast in a tribute to Henson's legacy.

During the sixth season of Designing Women, Ray Charles vocally performed "Georgia On My Mind", rather than the song being rendered by other musicians without lyrics as in the previous five seasons.

Final appearances Gladys Knight performed Charles' "Georgia On My Mind" during the Opening Ceremonies of the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia, Georgia (U.S. state).

In 2000, Charles made a special guest appearance on Blues Clues Big Musical Movie as a fictional character named G-Clef. The Temptations also made a guest appearance as his companions. Charles recorded "There It Is" during and after filming with Steve Burns and Traci Paige Johnson. After recording, Charles commented "This has been the most fun I ever had since I met Ronald Reagan in '84."

In 2002 Charles headlined during the Blues Passions Cognac festival in southern France.

In 2002 he took part - with other musicians - in a peace concert in Rome, which was the first event to take place inside the city’s ancient Colosseum since 404 A.D. The event was organized in partnership with the Glocal Forum and the Quincy Jones Listen Up Foundation.

In June, 2003, Ray Charles presented one of his greatest admirers, Van Morrison, with his award upon being inducted in the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the two sang Morrison's song from the Moondance album, "Crazy Love". This performance is captured on Morrison's 2007 album, The Best of Van Morrison Volume 3.

In 2003 Charles performed "Georgia On My Mind" and "America the Beautiful" at a televised annual electronic media journalist banquet held in Washington, D.C., at what may have been his final performance in public. Ray Charles' final public appearance came on April 30, 2004, at the dedication of his music studio as a historic landmark in the city of Los Angeles.

He died on June 10, 2004 of Hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) at his home in Beverly Hills, California, California, surrounded by family and friends. He was interred in the Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California, California.

His final album, Genius Loves Company, released two months after his death, consists of duets with various admirers and contemporaries: B.B. King, Van Morrison, Willie Nelson, James Taylor, Gladys Knight, Michael McDonald (singer), Natalie Cole, Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, Diana Krall, Norah Jones, and Johnny Mathis. The album won eight Grammy Awards, including five for Ray Charles for Best Pop Vocal Album, Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for "Here We Go Again" with Norah Jones, and 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.

The album included a version of Harold Arlen's "Over the Rainbow", sung as a duet by Charles and Johnny Mathis; that recording was later played at his memorial service.{{cite news | title = Many Pay Respects To Ray Charles | publisher = CBS News | date = 2004 | url = http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/06/10/entertainment/main622401.shtml | accessdate = 2006-11-25-->

Two more posthumous albums, Genius & Friends (2005) and Ray Sings, Basie Swings (2006), were released. Genius & Friends consisted of duets recorded from 1997-2005 with artists were personally chosen by Ray Charles. Ray Sings, Basie Swings consists of archived vocals of Ray Charles from a live 1973 performance added to Count Basie's music. Charles' vocals recorded from the concert mixing board were added to a new accompaniment by the Count Basie Orchestra (among others). Gregg Field, who had performed as a drummer with both Charles and Basie, produced this album.

Controversies and criticisms Despite his support of Martin Luther King, Jr. in the 1960s and his support for the American Civil Rights Movement (1955-1968), Charles courted controversy when he toured South Africa in 1981, during an international boycott of the country because of its apartheid policy.

Personal life Charles was married twice and fathered twelve children by seven different women.http://marriage.about.com/od/entertainmen1/p/charlesray.htmhttp://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/10/14/60minutes/main649346.shtml He was married for the first time to Eileen Williams on July 31, 1951. This marriage produced no children and ended in divorce in 1952. Three children are from his second marriage to Della Beatrice Howard Robinson whom he married on April 5, 1955. They divorced in 1977. His long term girlfriend and partner at the time of his death was Norma Pinella.http://www.findadeath.com/Deceased/c/Raycharles/ray_charles.htm

His children were:

Discography See Ray Charles discography

Filmography

Ray: The Film , with Jamie Foxx in the title role.

Charles was significantly involved in the biopic Ray (film), an October 2004 in film which portrays his life and career between 1930 and 1966 and stars Jamie Foxx as Charles. Foxx won the 77th Academy Awards Academy Awards for Best Actor for the role.

Before shooting could begin, however, director Taylor Hackford brought Foxx to meet Charles, who insisted that they sit down at two pianos and play together. For two hours, Charles challenged Foxx, who revealed the depth of his talent, and finally, Charles stood up, hugged Foxx, and gave his blessing, proclaiming, "He's the one... he can do it."

Charles was expected to attend a showing of the completed film, but he died before it opened in theaters.

As noted in the film's final credits, Ray is based on true events, but includes some characters, names, locations, events which have been changed and others which have been "fictionalized for dramatization purposes." One example of the film's use of Artistic licence are the scenes which refer to Charles as being banned from Georgia (U.S. state).{{cite news | title = 'Ray' appears to stretch truth with ban, protest scenes | publisher = The Associated Press | date = 2004 | url = http://www.accessnorthga.com/news/ap_newfullstory.asp?ID=50598 | accessdate = 2006-08-24-->

The film's credits note that he is survived by 12 children, 21 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren.

Halls of Fame and other honors Besides winning dozens of Grammy Awards in his career, Charles was also honored in many other ways. In 1979, he was one of the first honorees of the Georgia State Music Hall of Fame being recognized for being a musician born in the state.{{cite news | title = List of Inductees

| date = 1979 - 2007 | publisher = Georgia Music Hall of Fame | url = http://www.gamusichall.com/inducteelist.html | accessdate = 2006-11-25--> Ray's version of "Georgia On My Mind" was made into the official state song for Georgia.{{cite news | title = State Song | date = 1979 | publisher = Georgia Secretary of State | url = http://www.sos.state.ga.us/state_capitol/education_corner/state_song.html | accessdate = 2006-11-25--> In 1981, he was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was one of the first inductees to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame at its inaugural ceremony in 1986.{{cite news | title = Inductees | publisher = Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Museum | url = http://www.rockhall.com/hof/inductee.asp?id=76 | accessdate = 2006-11-25--> He received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1986.{{cite news | title = List of Kennedy Center Honorees | date = 1986 | publisher = Kennedy Center | url = http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/specialevents/honors/history/home.html | accessdate = 2006-11-25--> In 1987, he was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1991, he was inducted to the Rhythm & Blues Foundation, in 2004 he was inducted to the Jazz Hall of Fame, and inducted to the National Black Sports & Entertainment Hall of Fame.{{cite news | title = Hall of Fame | date = 2004 | publisher = National Black Sports & Entertainment | url = http://www.harlemdiscover.com/halloffame/ | accessdate = 2006-11-25--> Also in 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked him #10 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time..

In August 2005, the United States Congress honored Charles by renaming the former West Adams, Los Angeles, California Station post office in Los Angeles the "Ray Charles Station".

The Grammy Awards of 2005 were dedicated to Charles.

References External links



{{Persondata], musician, songwriter, music arranger, bandleader, [1930, [Georgia (U.S. state), United States|DATE OF DEATH= June 10, 2004, [California-->



Charles, Ray
Official site includes biography, autobiography, discography, fan club, tour dates, audio clips, interviews and downloads.

Ray Charles
The Official Ray Charles Website.

RAY CHARLES::
ray charles’ multi-platinum “genius loves company” nominated for 10 grammy awards, including best album of the year

RAY CHARLES::
RAY CHARLES TALKS ABOUT A GENIUS LOVES COMPANY Q: When and why did you start working on Genius Loves Company? RC: I've recorded with so many amazing ...

BBC NEWS | Entertainment | R&B music legend Ray Charles dies
R&B musician Ray Charles has died in Los Angeles aged 73, after more than half a century in the limelight.

BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Tributes pour in for Ray Charles
Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson lead the tributes to musician Ray Charles, who has died at the age of 73.

Ray Charles - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ray Charles Robinson (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004), known by his stage name Ray Charles, was an American pianist and singer who shaped the sound of rhythm and blues.

Amazon.co.uk: The Definitive Ray Charles: Ray Charles: Music
Amazon.co.uk: The Definitive Ray Charles: Ray Charles: Music ... Price: £6.48 & eligible for Free UK delivery on orders over £15 with Super Saver Delivery. See details and ...

Ray Charles Page
b. Ray Charles Robinson, 23rd September 1930, Albany, Georgia, U.S.A. d.10th June 2004, Beverly Hills, California, U.S.A. Ray Charles has been described by many ...

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Ray Charles



 
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