When was ray charles born
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Ray Charles was a poor, blind, newly orphaned teenager living in Tampa, Florida, in 1948 when he decided to move to Seattle, picking the city because it was as far away as he could get from where he was. He stayed only two years, but during that time he cut his first record and began to develop the genre-bending musical style that would make him an international star. Charles often spoke of Seattle as a pivotal point in his long and hugely successful career as a singer/songwriter. "I met a lot of very good friends here," he told one interviewer. "I liked the atmosphere. The people were friendly, the people took to me right away. Seattle is the town where I made my first record. And if you ever want to say where I got my start, you have to say that" (MacDonald).
The Bottom of the Ladder
Ray Charles Robinson was born September 23, 1930, in Albany, Georgia, the first child of Aretha and Bailey Robinson. His father worked off and on for the railroads; his mother took in laundry. The family started out poor and stayed that way throughout the hard years of the Depression. "Even com
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Ray Charles facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ray Charles | |
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Ray Charles at his last concert | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Ray Charles Robinson |
| Born | (1930-09-23)September 23, 1930 Albany, Georgia, United States |
| Origin | Greenville, Florida, United States |
| Died | June 10, 2004(2004-06-10) (aged 73) Beverly Hills, California, United States |
| Genres | R&B, soul, blues, jazz, gospel |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, musician |
| Instruments | Singing, piano, alto saxophone |
| Years active | 1947–2004 |
| Labels | Atlantic, ABC, Warner Bros. Records |
Ray Charles Robinson (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist and is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential singers in history, and was often referred to by contemporaries as "The Genius". He liked when friends and fellow musicians called him "Brother Ray". Charles was blinded during childhood, possibly due to glaucoma.
Charles pioneered the soul music genre during the 1950s. He combined blues, jazz, rhythm and blues, and gospel styles into the musi
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Ray Charles
American musician (1930–2004)
For other people named Ray Charles, see Ray Charles (disambiguation).
Ray Charles Robinson[a] (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential musicians in history, and was often referred to by contemporaries as "The Genius". Among friends and fellow musicians, he preferred being called "Brother Ray".[2][3] Charles was blinded during childhood, possibly due to glaucoma.[4]
Charles pioneered the soul music genre during the 1950s by combining elements of blues, jazz, rhythm and blues, and gospel into his music during his time with Atlantic Records.[4][5][6] He contributed to the integration of country music, rhythm and blues, and pop music during the 1960s with his crossover success on ABC Records, notably with his two Modern Sounds albums.[7][8] While he was with ABC, Charles became one of the first black musicians to be granted artistic control by a
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