to 1951
to 1953
to 1972
to 1986
to Featured Artists
to 1951
to 1953
to 1972
to 1986
to Featured Artists
| Blind since age six, RAY CHARLES (b. Albany, GA, Sept. 23, 1930) does possess incredible musical vision, spanning R and B, jazz, soul, pop, and country music. Starting his career with a style influenced heavily by Nat "King" Cole, Charles broke new ground in the 50's by combining energetic gospel music with secular, sexual blues lyrics in such songs as "Hallelujah, I Love Her" (1956) and "What'd I Say" (1959). In the 60's, he changed tack and again proved his genius by combining soul, pop, and country, with songs like the number one hit "Georgia on My Mind" (1960). He continues to record today in a similar, popular vein. |