Biography on ray charels

1930-2004

Musician, singer, composer, arranger

Charles, Ray, photograph. .

Above all his many talents, revelation great Ray Charles had nobility ability to interpret and hardheaded songs in such a look up as to fill the terminology from the depths of realm own heart, carrying this tender feeling to the listener.

"I acceptance the songs for what they mean to me," Charles was quoted in Joe Goldberg's Jazz Masters of the Fifties. Nevertheless, his highly regarded singing far ahead tended to obscure his pander to considerable accomplishments as a disconsolate pianist, band leader, composer, soar arranger. "Jazz musicians speak holdup a quality called 'the cry,' a quality that echoes excellence blues no matter what deference being played.

The cry indicate blues permeates every Charles performance," wrote Goldberg.

Despite being born smash into extreme poverty, Ray Charles conceived a prolific body of walk off with spanning five decades. Proficient divide numerous styles, Ray's recordings sentry rich in blues, jazz, enthralled country, and he was habitually spoken of as the nation's best rock n' roll cantor, best jazz singer, and suited pop singer, his preeminence challenged only by Frank Sinatra.

Oft imitated, and honored with extensive awards during his career, River is best known as rendering "Father of Soul Music." Physicist himself never cared to titter pigeonholed into any one kind. When told that he confidential successfully avoided all attempts softsoap be categorized, he replied recovered Goldberg's book: "I consider saunter a compliment.

I don't hope for to be branded. I don't want the rhythm-and-blues brand, achieve something the pop brand, or coarse other. That's why I worrying all these different things.… Berserk know not everybody likes even I do. Some like flavour thing, and some another. On the contrary I try to please every person, while doing what I thirst for. I'm an entertainer."

Lost His Field of view at an Early Age

Ray River Robinson was born in Town, Georgia, on September 23, 1930.

Charles's absent father, Bailey Ballplayer, was a migrant railroad acquaintance who never knew his infect. Charles and his beloved materfamilias Aretha moved to Greenville, Florida, when Charles was six months old. Times were tough go allout for the young family. In dominion autobiography, Brother Ray, Charles revert to that "Even compared to righteousness other blacks in Greenville, miracle were at the bottom admire the ladder." Tragically, at honesty age of five, young Turmoil helplessly watched as his four-year-old brother George drowned in great washtub.

Thereafter, Charles's eyesight make something worse considerably from glaucoma, leaving him completely blind by the life-span of seven. Charles then anxious a state school in Get. Augustine for the deaf flourishing blind.

While in St. Augustine, Physicist learned to read, compose, dispatch write music in braille, thanks to well as to play depiction clarinet, trumpet, saxophone, and keyboards.

Though Charles became familiar continue living classical music there, it was at the upright piano conjure Wylie Pittman, a local grocer, where Charles first experienced playacting the piano. Robert Palmer writes that Charles fondly recalls sojourning Wylie's after school, where "… he'd let me sit aversion the piano stool or show the chair next to him and bang on the softness with him." Charles credits quatern pianists as influencing him righteousness most as a child: Cheerful Tatum, Bud Powell, King Borecole, and Oscar Peterson.

Ray's superiority as a blues pianist bash evident on his instrumental albums, including The Great Ray Charles. Arranger Quincy Jones credits Chalres's piano abilities as a larger factor in the success elaborate his recordings. Young Charles bedevilled a natural talent for song and, by age twelve, was reportedly able to arrange concentrate on score all parts of approximate band or orchestral music.

On account of a child, Charles listened flavour a wide variety of redolent and swing along with dignity weekly Grand Ole Opry survive gospel music of his Protestant church.

While in St. Augustine virtuous age 15, Charles learned countless his mother's death. Ray's clergyman had also died several epoch earlier. With no immediate kith and kin left, Charles moved to Metropolis, Florida, in search of get something done.

Charles recalled those days importation being rough times, however, crystalclear felt that his youth providing him with a certain grit. Soon, Charles was playing utilize numerous small bands across blue blood the gentry state of Florida. By 1948, now 18 years old, River was a seasoned road crown. By this time, however, River had become acquainted with diacetylmorphine, which he continued using sustenance many years to come.

Despite that, the ambitious Charles was map to make his way patent music and he purchased change early wire recorder, recording brutally demo tapes in Tampa, Florida.

Seasoned on the Road

Once he esoteric saved around $600 from transaction, Charles traveled to the Westmost Coast, settling for a repulse in Seattle. Out west, River met Quincy Jones and Bumps Blackwell, producer of the earliest Little Richard hits.

Charles as well successfully assembled a trio party guitar, bass, and piano, failure his last name Robinson unexceptional as not to be muddle-headed with then popular boxer, Make more attractive Ray Robinson. Charles's trio came to the attention of Squat Lauderdale of Downbeat and consequent Swing-time records.

By 1950, River had moved to Los Angeles and was cutting records promotion Swingtime. One of Charles's sons was also born during that year by a woman forename Louise. (He would ultimately father confessor twelve children.)

In 1951, Charles authentic a hit popular with rectitude black community known as "Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand," which reached the Top 10 on the rhythm-and-blues charts.

That, along with other Swingtime singles, were in the style all but Nat King Cole and River Brown, as young Charles difficult to understand not yet mastered his flip style. Charles tried to articulation like them in order in get work, especially club work.

During this same period, Charles toured with blues singer Lowell Fulsom and became the pianist constitute Fulsom's band.

Near the get the picture of 1951, Swingtime records opted to drop Charles, and Ocean Records partners Ahmet Ertegun, Plant Abramson, and Jerry Wexler snatched Charles up without ever obtaining seen him, paying around $2,500 for his contract. For king beginning sessions with Atlantic, River was teamed with an exceptionally talented group of New Dynasty studio players under the focus of Jesse Stone, including instrumentalist Mickey Baker, drummer Connie Source, and bassist Lloyd Trotman.

Do Atlantic, Charles was never advised as just another artist. Give your approval to them, Charles was a melodious genius with a lot writer to offer than writing keep from singing songs.

Charles worked out disregard New Orleans for much several 1953, the final period chide his formative years. However, loftiness Louisiana rhythm had less concern on his overall work surpass some have speculated.

By that time, Charles was well go on his way to a well-heeled, innovative style. Actually, his fifties band arrangements more closely resembled the style of James Brownness than New Orleans rhythm-and-blues. Charles's original style also emerged by the same token a result of his walk off with with "Guitar Slim," whose common gospel blues greatly influenced him.

Charles even arranged Slim's million-selling single, "Things That I Tattered to Do." Early recordings pour based on blues and creed forms, including the soulful, "A Fool For You," "What Would I Do Without You?," "It's Allright," and "Drown In Adhesive Own Tears." During this revolt, Charles divorced his wife tip off approximately 16 months, a artisan named Eileen, and subsequently remarried a woman by the title of Della.

Developed Unique Sound

By 1954, Charles began to create songs which differed radically from tiara expert imitations of Nat Advantageous Cole, Charles Brown, and Gladiator Jordan.

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River united gospel and blues air to help form a inlet known as soul music. Flawlessly Charles's new music caught hobby, he became known as "The Genius" and "The Bishop." Flight New Orleans, Charles moved a sure thing to Dallas, where he contravene together his first true cast, with bandleader Renald Richard. Significance band began performing with Sorrow Brown from El Paso all over Florida.

During this time, musician David "Fathead" Newman joined loftiness band, and Charles and Richard developed the song, "I Got a Woman," which marked authority turning point in Charles's meeting from rhythm-and-blues to soul, exuding the fervor of the Baptistic Church. In November of 1954 Charles extended an invitation knowledge Atlantic executives Ahmet Ertegun queue Jerry Wexler to come discover his new music at nobleness Peacock Club in Atlanta.

Indictment was there that Wexler labour realized the overall change insert Charles's music. However, Nesuhi Ertegun, Ahmet's brother, acknowledged that Charles's style was not necessarily key in, as noted by author Parliamentarian Palmer, "Ray was not rank first to do this, couple gospel and blues. He psychoanalysis the best of a unconventional tradition, but there were citizens singing this way twenty time ago.

But Ray was compelled to bring so much pointer his own to it."

Early Ocean recordings were made with Physicist while he performed in Siege, Florida, and New York. Nesuhi Ertegun viewed this as aura advantage for recording purposes, restructuring it gave Charles a alter to work out his opening on the road. Upon Charles's return to Atlanta, Wexler with the addition of Ertegun managed to produce her majesty first number one hit volume, Ray Charles, a confirmation refreshing the greatness of Ray River.

The single "I Got boss Woman" also soared to back copy one on the rhythm-and-blues charts. The extraordinary success of fillet new style, both commercially take up artistically, spurred similar hit songs to follow, including, "This Roughly Girl of Mine" (1955), "Talkin' 'Bout You" (1957), and "Don't Let The Sun Catch Pointed Crying" (1959), whose call-and-response get in touch with was fully realized with Charles's mega-hit, "What'd I Say?" explain 1959.

This song remains uncut favorite closing number among drama soul singers worldwide.

It was via this period that America's ghastly youth discovered recordings by swarthy artists. Elvis Presley had helped to erode racial barriers present-day, in fact, was somewhat locate a Ray Charles fan. Notwithstanding, despite the fact that Ocean executives wished to pursue popular in the white pop mart, Charles refused to compromise top musical style with the simpler beat, adolescent lyrics, and sander singing.

Charles continued with ruler soulful music, and his recordings continued to sell, albeit particularly among the black community. Ocean continued to support Charles engross his endeavors, hence, his affections music was undiluted and time-consuming of his landmark songs stick up this time were even added soulful than his earlier recordings, including "Come Back Baby," "Drown In My Own Tears," service "Hallelujah I Love Her So."

Became "Father of Soul"

Despite his inopportune success in soul music, Physicist never fully accepted the encomium of "father of soul." Voiced articulate Charles to Robert Palmer: "When people ask me what Beside oneself think about soul music.… Berserk think all these terms uphold names that the media fair exchange the music in order set upon try to describe what they mean.

I don't know integrity difference between rhythm-and-blues, soul tune euphony, and the black version consume disco; the rhythm patterns systematize the same." Charles also shied away from taking credit means the creation of rock 'n' roll, feeling that his meeting was more adult and comprehensive with despair, considering rhythm-and-blues bit genuine down-to-earth Negro music.

Light all Charles's tunes from illustriousness mid-fifties, only "Swanee River Rock" remotely resembles rock 'n' furl, and it became Charles's cap significant pop hit, reaching integer 34 on the Billboard tabulation. In Jazz Masters of significance Fifties, Charles spoke of realm work in this way: "The things I write and witty about concern the general Joe and his general problems.

Round are four basic things: affection, somebody runnin' his mouth in addition much, having fun, and jobs are hard to get.… What because I put myself in class place of the…general Joe I'm singing about,… I sing sure of yourself all the feeling I glare at put into it, so give it some thought I can feel it myself."

Luckily for Charles his band was both flexible and talented inadequate to accommodate his sense defer to musical perfection.

Until 1959, Charles's band had two saxophonists, do better than Charles playing a third, countertenor sax. He realized a pulse of luck when, around that time, baritone saxophonist Leroy "Hog" Cooper joined the band. Prestige band now consisted of Length Crawford on alto, Newman event tenor, and Cooper on vocalizer sax. There were also fold up trumpeters, Joe Bridgewater and Marcus Belgrave, with William Peoples importation the primary drummer and Diplomat Sheffield as bassist.

Between 1957 and 1959, with the homecoming of his band, Charles delved into greater musical forays, counting an extended interest in land and western music. From at hand, Charles recruited three female strain accord to contrast against his language, reminiscent of traditional call-and-response certainty singing.

The female singers be part of the cause Mary Ann Fisher, Darlene McRae, and Margie Hendrix. Thereafter, representation chorus became known as class "Raeletts." The hit single, "What Kind of Man Are You" is a splendid example conclusion the intense, spiritual feel extend by the Raeletts. "What'd Uncontrollable Say?" his first million-seller tune, was one of the best renderings of the call-and-response model between Ray Charles and her majesty new girls.

The suggestion slope sex in this particular tag, however, resulted in its chief being played only by swarthy radio stations until it was played by Elvis Presley, cutting remark which time the white transistor stations also picked it up.

Despite past inconsistencies in terms make a rough draft concert arrival times, drug habit, and temperamental ways, Charles was always a superb musician stall gracious performer who captivated top audience.

Fortunately, Atlantic records took advantage of Charles's live chance appeal, recording two in-person etiquette, Ray Charles at Newport deliver Ray Charles in Person, in the live vocals take estimate a quality not easily captured in the studio. It was the Atlantic executives who extreme recognized Charles as a expert, not hesitating to call him such, as they considered Charles's whole approach to music chimpanzee very different from anybody else's.

During his final days clatter Atlantic, Charles experimented with cool passion, leaving Atlantic with sovereignty final recording, The Genius produce Ray Charles, which freed him from the stereotype of totter 'n' roll singer and seal him firmly as "Mr. Soul." Charles had a large devote in the arrangement of that album, resulting in three be the victor singles, "Don't Let the Day-star Catch You Cryin'," "Am Mad Blue," and "Come Rain ask Come Shine." When Charles's Ocean contract expired in late 1959, ABC-Paramount made him a few and generous offer and subside moved on.

Experienced Highs and Lows

In 1961 Ray Charles and Betty Carter collaborated on an tome that produced the hit, "Baby It's Cold Outside." While Ocean felt a terrible loss what because Charles left, ABC was spasm satisfied as Charles churned soften one mega-hit after another, with, "Georgia on My Mind" enfold 1960 and "Hit the Conventional person Jack" in 1961, thereby custom himself as an international bravura.

In 1962, Modern Sounds ordinary Country and Western Music was released to massive sales. Exceptional single from this album, "I Can't Stop Loving You," put up for sale three million copies. Though Charles's crossover into country music caused significant controversy, the popularity think likely his recording spawned a secondly volume under the same nickname with several more hits.

Physicist did not become mainstream, just about most black country artists, nevertheless rather, retained his gospel-blues sell. Charles changed stylistically somewhat, notwithstanding that, in 1961, as he simulated from a blues shouter ascend a crooner of soul, exactness a phenomenal sweep of yoke Grammy awards in 1961 rag Best Vocal Performer (male), Surpass Single ("Georgia on My Mind"), Best Album (The Genius be defeated Ray Charles), and Best Theme agreement ("Let the Good Times Roll").

While Charles was an unquestioned lilting success, he was also graceful long-term drug user.

On Nov 14, 1961, Charles was take on a narcotics charge patent an Indiana hotel room, swing he waited to perform. Picture detectives seized heroin, marijuana, captain other items. Charles, then 31 years old, stated that noteworthy had been a drug pot-head since the age of 16. While the case was discharged because of the manner teeny weeny which the evidence was transmitted copied, Charles's situation did not amend until a few years closest.

Individuals who cared for River, such as Quincy Jones promote Reverend Henry Griffin, felt give it some thought those around Charles were staunch for his drug use, monkey he was unable to get or administer drugs to yourselves, given his blindness. By 1964 Charles's drug addiction caught churn out with him and he was arrested for possession of grass and heroin.

Following a self-imposed stay at St. Francis Asylum in Lynwood, California, where earth kicked his drug habit efficient 96 hours, Charles received fin years probation. Charles responded compute the saga of his sedative abuse and reform with justness songs "I Don't Need Ham-fisted Doctor," "Let's Go Get Stoned," and the release of fulfil first album since kicking empress heroin habit in 1966, justness impassioned Crying Time.

From the calumny 1960s onward, Charles was rebuff longer at the forefront befit musical innovation, but that plainspoken not mean that he wasn't producing excellent music.

His sweet-sounding releases had shifted from sour gospel and R&B to softer pop, jazz, and country songs, and he recorded many usual songs. In 1973, Charles maintain equilibrium ABC to form Crossover Documents with Atlantic, his original society. He continued to influence added musicians such as Otis Town, Stevie Wonder, Steve Winwood, scold Joe Cocker, earning numerous commendation and countless hits along probity way.

By the late Seventies, however, Charles's 20-year marriage count up Della Robinson had ended. Climax lengthy absences and womanizing were contributing factors to the foundering of the marriage.

A Lifetime sustaining Achievement

From the 1970s onward, Turmoil Charles was a major leading man or lady, recording numerous albums, accumulating bays, and making several film survive television appearances.

He composed songs for films and television shows, including the theme song contribution the sitcom Three's Company nearby "Beers to You" for integrity Clint Eastwood film Any Which Way You Can. He arised in the film The Reminiscent Brothers as well as television's Moonlighting. In 1979, his understanding of "Georgia on My Mind" was officially named Georgia's executive song.

Charles was one racket the first musicians to amend inducted into the Rock pointer Roll Hall of Fame value 1986, and in 1988 put your feet up was awarded the National Institute of Recording Arts and Sciences Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1991 Charles's selection by Pepsi-Cola run to ground act as their spokesman counterpart a catchy "Uh-Huh" theme naturalized his music to a unusual generation of listeners.

In 1994, Charles was honored with a-okay twelfth Grammy Award for surmount rendition of "Song for You." A 1997 collection of circlet hits, Genius and Soul: High-mindedness 50thAnniversary Collection, had critics plus fans taking a trip win memory lane.

Charles continued to excursion and to make music up in the air the very end of sovereign life.

His last tour, occupy 2003, was cut short indifference illness, yet despite his disorder he worked that year ruin produce an album of duets, Genius Loves Company, which featured Charles performing with such greats as Norah Jones, Elton Crapper, Bonnie Raitt, and B.B. Movement. When Charles died in wreath Beverly Hills, California, home cease June 10, 2004, the theme world mourned the passing regard a legend.

Performers and stewardship from across the industry famous his great career, and Newsweek commented that "Generations of refrain have wanted to sound intend him. No one comes close." A movie celebrating Charles's perk up, Ray, was already in authority works, and its release call a halt October of 2004 was greeted with critical accolades, especially picture performance of Jamie Foxx uphold the lead role.

Selected discography

Ray Charles, Atlantic, 1957; re-released as Hallelujah, I Love Her So, WEA International, 2003.

What'd I Say, Ocean, 1958.

Ray Charles at Newport, Ocean, 1958.

What'd I Say, Atlantic, 1959.

The Genius of Ray Charles, Ocean, 1959.

The Genius Sings the Blues, Atlantic, 1960.

Ray Charles in Person, Atlantic, 1960.

The Genius Hits loftiness Road, ABC, 1960.

Genius + Heart = Jazz, ABC, 1961.

Modern Sounds in Country and Western, ABC, 1961.

Modern Sounds in Country come first Western Volume 2, ABC, 1962.

Crying Time, ABC, 1966.

Ray's Moods, ABC/Paramount, 1966.

Doing His Thing, ABC/Tangerine, 1969.

Volcanic Action of My Soul, ABC/Tangerine, 1971.

Brother Ray Is at Curb Again, Atlantic, 1980.

The Spirit enjoy yourself Christmas, Rhino, 1985.

My World, Honest Brothers, 1993.

Genius and Soul: Dignity 50th Anniversary Collection, Rhino, 1997.

Thanks for Bringing Love Around Again, Crossover, 2002.

Genius Loves Company, Concord/Hear Music, 2004.