Ray Charles Biography

Ray Charles was the musician and songwriter famous for soulful pop hits like “Georgia On My Mind,” “Hit the Road, Jack,” and “I Can’t Stop Loving You.”

Blind from the age of seven, Ray Charles was a gifted pianist and saxophonist who taught himself to compose and arrange music by Braille, then went on to become one of the most successful African-American artists of the 20th century. He began recording in the late 1940s, and in the 1950s had success with soul and gospel-influenced originals such as “Hallelujah I Love Her So” and “I Got a Woman” (covered by Elvis Presley).

Charles had a 1959 rock hit with “What’d I Say” and in the 1960s had a string of hits that blended jazz, rock, soul, country and gospel. He won his first of a dozen Grammys in 1961 and was voted best male singer five years in a row (1961-66) by jazz critics in Downbeat magazine. His 1960 recording of “Georgia On My Mind” (written in 1930 by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell) was a big hit and became his signature tune; in 1979, the state of Georgia designated Ray Charles’s version as the official state song.

His reputation as one of the greats secure, Ray Charles spent the rest of his career touring and releasing occasional records, including compilations and jazz and country duets. His many famous songs include “Busted,” “Ruby” “Take These Chains From My Heart” and “Crying Time.” His final album, Genius Loves Company, won seven Grammy awards in 2005, including Album of the Year and Record of the Year (for “Here We Go Again,” his duet with Norah Jones).