Ray Charles
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Real name: Ray Charles Robinson+++ Blind since an illness at the age of six, Ray first performed in Florida and later in Seattle, under the name of R. C. Robinson as well as the Maxim Trio +++ First "Nat King Cole style" recordings for SWINGTIME records in 1951 +++ In 1952 ATLANTIC records tooks over his contract and his name was changed to Ray Charles, to avoid confusion with boxer Sugar Ray Robinson +++ First US hit with "I got a woman" in 1955, followed by other hits, such as "A fool like you", Hallelujah I love her so" and, in 1959, "What'd I say" +++ After switching to ABC-PARAMOUNT records, further worldwide hits followed, including "Georgia on my mind". "Hit the road, Jack", "Unchain my heart" and, in 1962, a cover of a Don Gibson song from 1958, "I can't stop loving you" +++ Countless other Soul, Pop and C&W hits followed, including "In the heat of the night" and "Eleanor Rigby" +++ Having experienced so many different musical genres throughout his career, Ray Charles is not only "The Genius of Soul" but also "The Genius of C&W", "The Genius of Pop", "The Genius of R&B", "The ... +++ |
