Who Is Ray Charles

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Ray Charles' Life

 

Ray Charles' Life offers a truly inspirational perspective. Overcoming his disability as a blind man and going off to be one of the greatest musical artists to ever life. He has brought joy to millions to his music as well as prove to be a force in the civil rights movement of the 50's and 60's.

Ray Charles Portrait

Ray Charles at a Glance 

Ray Charles Robinson (September 23, 1930 ? June 10, 2004), known by his stage name Ray Charles, was an American pianist and singer, who shaped the sound of rhythm and blues. He brought a soulful sound to country music, pop standards, and a rendition of "America the Beautiful" that Ed Bradley of 60 Minutes called the "definitive version of the song, an American anthem — a classic, just as the man who sung it.""The Genius Of Ray Charles", an article about an 1986 segment on Charles from 60 Minutes

Frank Sinatra called him "the only true genius in the business"

and in 2004, Rolling Stone...

Ray Charles AutoBiography


In Brother Ray, he reveals his life story unsparingly, from the chronicle of his musical development
to his heroin addiction to his tangled romantic life. ...more

Brother Ray, Ray Charles' Own Story 

An autobiography by Ray Charles

Now A Major Motion Picture Starring Jamie Foxx

Brother Ray is candid, explicit, sometimes embarrassing, often hilarious, always
warm, touching and deeply humanjust like his music." Chicago Sun-Times

The San Francisco Chronicle calls Brother Ray "an emotional blast as vivid and real,
sweaty and straight talking as the man himself."

"Sometimes I'm asked about my biggest musical influence as a kid. I always give one name:
Mr. Wylie Pitman. I called him Mr. Pit. Now you won't find Mr. Pit in any history of jazz, and
the man's not in the DownBeat Hall of Fame. But, sweethearts, you can take my word for it:
Mr. Pit could sure enough play some boogie-woogie piano." from the book

Ray Charles (1930-2004) led one of the most extraordinary lives of any popular musician. In
Brother Ray, he reveals his life story unsparingly, from the chronicle of his musical development
to his heroin addiction to his tangled romantic life.

Overcoming poverty, blindness, the loss of his parents, and the pervasive racism of the era, Ray
Charles was acclaimed worldwide as a genius by the age of thirty-two. By combining the influences
of gospel, jazz, blues, and country music, he invented, almost single-handedly, what became known
as "soul." And throughout a career spanning more than a half century, Ray Charles remained in
complete control of his life and his music, allowing nobody to tell him what he could or couldn't do.

David Ritz is the author of Faith in Time: The Life of Jimmy Scott, Divided Soul: The Life of Marvin Gaye, and many other books. He lives in Los Angeles.

Andrew L. Barnes graduated from the School for the Creative and Performing Arts in Cincinnati, Ohio. His extensive background in theater and music includes work with the Ensemble Theater Company and the Cincinnati Opera Company. He has sung with the Sorg Opera Company for more than five seasons.

Get it here.

Ray Charles' Moon Over Miami Lyrics

Moon over Miami,
Shine on my love and me,
Se we can stroll beside the roll,
Of the rolling sea.

Moon over Miami,
Shine on as we begin,
A dream of two that may come true,
When the tide comes in.
Hark to the smiling troubadours,
Hark to the throbbing guitars,
Hear how the waves offer thundrous applause,
After each song to the stars.

Moon over Miami,
You know we're waiting for,
A little love
A little kiss
On Miami shore.

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Other Great Biographical Lenses 

Ray Charles Videos 

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Hit the road Jack!

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Georgia on my Mind- Ray Charle...

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Ray Charles - Ring of Fire on ...

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Ray Charles - I Got a Woman

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Willie Nelson - Ray Charles - ...

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Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles ...

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Ray Charles on Flickr 

ray charles by kvanhorn

ray charles

Ray Charles 6472 by Nesster

Ray Charles 6472

Corner of the Dining Room by Southern Foodways Alliance

Corner of the Dining...

singing the blues for nini by debaird

singing the blues fo...

Ray Charles Loud and Clear! by FaceMePLS

Ray Charles Loud and...

What I Say by swanksalot

What I Say

Leo's Casino by ClevelandSGS

Leo's Casino

feelin' sad by IntangibleArts

feelin' sad

Ray Charles's Copy of Playboy by imjoshdotcom

Ray Charles's Copy o...

Ray by permanently scatterbrained

Ray

gallery by miz_ginevra

gallery

You Are So Beautiful by zenera

You Are So Beautiful

How has Ray Charles inspired you? 

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