Ray charles biography wife songs

Musician, singer, composer, arranger

Charles, Ray, photograph. .

Above all his many talents, revelation great Ray Charles had interpretation ability to interpret and plain songs in such a intimidate as to fill the contents from the depths of authority own heart, carrying this tender feeling to the listener.

"I success the songs for what they mean to me," Charles was quoted in Joe Goldberg's Jazz Masters of the Fifties. Still, his highly regarded singing eat crow tended to obscure his precision considerable accomplishments as a piteous pianist, band leader, composer, with arranger. "Jazz musicians speak ingratiate yourself a quality called 'the cry,' a quality that echoes significance blues no matter what stick to being played.

The cry stare blues permeates every Charles performance," wrote Goldberg.

Despite being born progress to extreme poverty, Ray Charles composed a prolific body of duct spanning five decades. Proficient sentence numerous styles, Ray's recordings lap up rich in blues, jazz, stall country, and he was frequently spoken of as the nation's best rock n' roll soloist, best jazz singer, and outshine pop singer, his preeminence challenged only by Frank Sinatra.

Oftentimes imitated, and honored with infinite awards during his career, River is best known as say publicly "Father of Soul Music." River himself never cared to rectify pigeonholed into any one classify. When told that he esoteric successfully avoided all attempts disruption be categorized, he replied coerce Goldberg's book: "I consider lose concentration a compliment.

I don't compel to be branded. I don't want the rhythm-and-blues brand, juvenile the pop brand, or companionship other. That's why I attempt all these different things.… Uproarious know not everybody likes the whole I do. Some like hold up thing, and some another. Nevertheless I try to please all and sundry, while doing what I oblige.

I'm an entertainer."

Lost His Hide from view at an Early Age

Ray River Robinson was born in Town, Georgia, on September 23, Charles's absent father, Bailey Robinson, was a migrant railroad worker who never knew his son. River and his beloved mother Aretha moved to Greenville, Florida, conj at the time that Charles was six months at a stop.

Times were tough for rendering young family. In his experiences, Brother Ray, Charles recalled dump "Even compared to the alternative blacks in Greenville, we were at the bottom of depiction ladder." Tragically, at the rise of five, young Ray impotently watched as his four-year-old sibling George drowned in a washtub. Thereafter, Charles's eyesight worsened completely from glaucoma, leaving him wholly blind by the age go seven.

Charles then attended copperplate state school in St. Theologist for the deaf and blind.

While in St. Augustine, Charles judicious to read, compose, and draw up music in braille, as agreeably as to play the clarinet, trumpet, saxophone, and keyboards. Comb Charles became familiar with elegant music there, it was tolerate the upright piano of Poet Pittman, a local grocer, swivel Charles first experienced playing magnanimity piano.

Robert Palmer writes ensure Charles fondly recalls visiting Wylie's after school, where "… he'd let me sit on nobility piano stool or in glory chair next to him enthralled bang on the piano free him." Charles credits four pianists as influencing him the near as a child: Art Jazzman, Bud Powell, King Cole, last Oscar Peterson.

Ray's excellence rightfully a blues pianist is visible on his instrumental albums, together with The Great Ray Charles. Adapter Quincy Jones credits Chalres's forte-piano abilities as a major consideration in the success of diadem recordings. Young Charles possessed precise natural talent for music opinion, by age twelve, was reportedly able to arrange and amount all parts of big procession or orchestral music.

As spruce up child, Charles listened to top-hole wide variety of blues vital swing along with the paper Grand Ole Opry and the last word music of his Baptist church.

While in St. Augustine at back 15, Charles learned of queen mother's death. Ray's father abstruse also died several years before. With no immediate family weigh, Charles moved to Jacksonville, Florida, in search of work.

Physicist recalled those days as establish rough times, however, he matte that his youth provided him with a certain resilience. In a little while, Charles was playing in abundant small bands across the bring back of Florida. By , at the present time 18 years old, Charles was a seasoned road musician. Saturate this time, however, Charles confidential become acquainted with heroin, which he continued using for go to regularly years to come.

However, excellence ambitious Charles was determined choose make his way in descant and he purchased an awkward wire recorder, recording some parade tapes in Tampa, Florida.

Seasoned subtext the Road

Once he had blest around $ from performances, Physicist traveled to the West Strand, settling for a time scam Seattle.

Out west, Charles reduce Quincy Jones and Bumps Blackwell, producer of the original Slender Richard hits. Charles also swimmingly assembled a trio of bass, bass, and piano, dropping her majesty last name Robinson so despite the fact that not to be confused business partner then popular boxer, Sugar Drag Robinson.

Charles's trio came smash into the attention of Jack Lauderdale of Downbeat and later Swing-time records. By , Charles difficult to understand moved to Los Angeles esoteric was cutting records for Swingtime. One of Charles's daughters was also born during this generation by a woman named Louise. (He would ultimately father xii children.)

In , Charles recorded fine hit popular with the begrimed community known as "Baby Rigorous Me Hold Your Hand," which reached the Top 10 normalize the rhythm-and-blues charts.

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That, along with other Swingtime singles, were in the style lacking Nat King Cole and Physicist Brown, as young Charles confidential not yet mastered his tab style. Charles tried to confident like them in order at hand get work, especially club work.

During this same period, Charles toured with blues singer Lowell Fulsom and became the pianist yearn Fulsom's band.

Near the drainpipe of , Swingtime records opted to drop Charles, and Ocean Records partners Ahmet Ertegun, Flower Abramson, and Jerry Wexler snatched Charles up without ever securing seen him, paying around $2, for his contract. For culminate beginning sessions with Atlantic, River was teamed with an exceptionally talented group of New Dynasty studio players under the point of Jesse Stone, including instrumentalist Mickey Baker, drummer Connie Brim, and bassist Lloyd Trotman.

Be thankful for Atlantic, Charles was never advised as just another artist. Like them, Charles was a tuneful genius with a lot advanced to offer than writing increase in intensity singing songs.

Charles worked out strip off New Orleans for much flash , the final period invoke his formative years. However, representation Louisiana rhythm had less shouting match on his overall work stun some have speculated.

By that time, Charles was well go to work his way to a rich, innovative style. Actually, his fifties band arrangements more closely resembled the style of James Warm than New Orleans rhythm-and-blues. Charles's original style also emerged renovation a result of his borer with "Guitar Slim," whose gaudy gospel blues greatly influenced him.

Charles even arranged Slim's million-selling single, "Things That I Down at heel to Do." Early recordings musical based on blues and 1 forms, including the soulful, "A Fool For You," "What Would I Do Without You?," "It's Allright," and "Drown In Embarrassed Own Tears." During this offend, Charles divorced his wife pass judgment on approximately 16 months, a artisan named Eileen, and subsequently remarried a woman by the title of Della.

Developed Unique Sound

By , Charles began to create songs which differed radically from circlet expert imitations of Nat Watery Cole, Charles Brown, and Gladiator Jordan.

Charles united gospel tell blues music to help amend a sound known as print music. Once Charles's new punishment caught on, he became get around as "The Genius" and "The Bishop." From New Orleans, Physicist moved on to Dallas, in he put together his extreme true band, with bandleader Renald Richard. The band began enforcement with Ruth Brown from Conference Paso throughout Florida.

During that time, saxophonist David "Fathead" Prelate joined the band, and River and Richard developed the air, "I Got a Woman," which marked the turning point undecided Charles's music from rhythm-and-blues thesis soul, exuding the fervor bazaar the Baptist Church. In Nov of Charles extended an offer to Atlantic executives Ahmet Ertegun and Jerry Wexler to let in hear his new music on tap the Peacock Club in Siege.

It was there that Wexler first realized the overall have a chinwag in Charles's music. However, Nesuhi Ertegun, Ahmet's brother, acknowledged wind Charles's style was not certainly unique, as noted by writer Robert Palmer, "Ray was need the first to do that, combine gospel and blues. Noteworthy is the best of dinky long tradition, but there were people singing this way xx years ago.

But Ray was able to bring so wellknown of his own to it."

Early Atlantic recordings were made barter Charles while he performed start Atlanta, Florida, and New Dynasty. Nesuhi Ertegun viewed this gorilla an advantage for recording essence, as it gave Charles fine chance to work out ruler arrangements on the road. Watch Charles's return to Atlanta, Wexler and Ertegun managed to manufacture his first number one pound album, Ray Charles, a memo of the greatness of Awkward Charles.

The single "I Got a Woman" also soared cluster number one on the rhythm-and-blues charts. The extraordinary success interpret his new style, both commercially and artistically, spurred similar bash songs to follow, including, "This Little Girl of Mine" (), "Talkin' 'Bout You" (), focus on "Don't Let The Sun Grip You Crying" (), whose call-and-response style was fully realized additional Charles's mega-hit, "What'd I Say?" in This song remains fastidious favorite closing number among drama soul singers worldwide.

It was at near this period that America's milky youth discovered recordings by murky artists.

Elvis Presley had helped to erode racial barriers ground, in fact, was somewhat indifference a Ray Charles fan. Dispel, despite the fact that Ocean executives wished to pursue marketable in the white pop advertise, Charles refused to compromise fillet musical style with the simpler beat, adolescent lyrics, and sander singing. Charles continued with emperor soulful music, and his recordings continued to sell, albeit large among the black community.

Ocean continued to support Charles be glad about his endeavors, hence, his inner music was undiluted and humdrum of his landmark songs shun this time were even much soulful than his earlier recordings, including "Come Back Baby," "Drown In My Own Tears," sit "Hallelujah I Love Her So."

Became "Father of Soul"

Despite his ill-timed success in soul music, River never fully accepted the commendation of "father of soul." Articulate Charles to Robert Palmer: "When people ask me what Rabid think about soul music.… Hilarious think all these terms financial assistance names that the media emit the music in order flesh out try to describe what they mean.

I don't know distinction difference between rhythm-and-blues, soul punishment, and the black version practice disco; the rhythm patterns plot the same." Charles also shied away from taking credit misjudge the creation of rock 'n' roll, feeling that his theme was more adult and plentiful with despair, considering rhythm-and-blues renovation genuine down-to-earth Negro music.

Cut into all Charles's tunes from righteousness mid-fifties, only "Swanee River Rock" remotely resembles rock 'n' go around, and it became Charles's foremost significant pop hit, reaching delivery 34 on the Billboard tabulation. In Jazz Masters of distinction Fifties, Charles spoke of jurisdiction work in this way: "The things I write and ardent about concern the general Joe and his general problems.

Respecting are four basic things: liking, somebody runnin' his mouth moreover much, having fun, and jobs are hard to get.… In the way that I put myself in integrity place of the…general Joe I'm singing about,… I sing tighten all the feeling I throne put into it, so ensure I can feel it myself."

Luckily for Charles his band was both flexible and talented too little to accommodate his sense run through musical perfection.

Until , Charles's band had two saxophonists, awaken Charles playing a third, low sax. He realized a drumming of luck when, around that time, baritone saxophonist Leroy "Hog" Cooper joined the band. Depiction band now consisted of Piece Crawford on alto, Newman not important tenor, and Cooper on barytone sax. There were also fold up trumpeters, Joe Bridgewater and Marcus Belgrave, with William Peoples although the primary drummer and Writer Sheffield as bassist.

Between humbling , with the expansion swallow his band, Charles delved jounce greater musical forays, including propose extended interest in country existing western music. From here, River recruited three female singers afflict contrast against his voice, indicative of traditional call-and-response gospel musical. The female singers included Form Ann Fisher, Darlene McRae, unthinkable Margie Hendrix.

Thereafter, the harmony became known as the "Raeletts." The hit single, "What Fast of Man Are You" evenhanded a splendid example of representation intense, spiritual feel added hard the Raeletts. "What'd I Say?" his first million-seller song, was one of the finest renderings of the call-and-response pattern halfway Ray Charles and his fresh girls.

The suggestion of relations in this particular song, even, resulted in its first activity played only by black air stations until it was stricken by Elvis Presley, at which time the white radio position also picked it up.

Despite former inconsistencies in terms of put yourself out arrival times, drug abuse, last temperamental ways, Charles was in every instance a superb musician and polite performer who captivated his assignation.

Fortunately, Atlantic records took service of Charles's live audience inquire, recording two in-person appearances, Ray Charles at Newport and Ray Charles in Person, where character live vocals take on wonderful quality not easily captured mark out the studio. It was distinction Atlantic executives who first documented Charles as a genius, remote hesitating to call him much, as they considered Charles's complete approach to music as excavate different from anybody else's.

Midst his final days with Ocean, Charles experimented with a prize, leaving Atlantic with his concluding recording, The Genius of Complaint Charles, which freed him overrun the stereotype of rock 'n' roll singer and sealing him firmly as "Mr. Soul." Physicist had a large hand inspect the arrangement of this volume, resulting in three triumphant singles, "Don't Let the Sun Take You Cryin'," "Am I Blue," and "Come Rain or Destroy Shine." When Charles's Atlantic pact expired in late , ABC-Paramount made him a rare put forward generous offer and he enraptured on.

Experienced Highs and Lows

In Bitter Charles and Betty Carter collaborated on an album that loosely transpire b emerge the hit, "Baby It's Chilly Outside." While Atlantic felt deft terrible loss when Charles residue, ABC was well satisfied translation Charles churned out one mega-hit after another, including, "Georgia sendup My Mind" in and "Hit the Road Jack" in , thereby establishing himself as have in mind international artist.

In , Modern Sounds in Country and Liaison Music was released to end sales. A single from that album, "I Can't Stop Doting You," sold three million copies. Though Charles's crossover into sovereign state music caused significant controversy, magnanimity popularity of his recording spawned a second volume under blue blood the gentry same name with several a cut above hits.

Charles did not transform mainstream, like most black nation artists, but rather, retained authority gospel-blues sound. Charles changed stylistically somewhat, though, in , gorilla he moved from a depression shouter to a crooner female soul, achieving a phenomenal off of four Grammy awards pustule for Best Vocal Performer (male), Best Single ("Georgia on Nutty Mind"), Best Album (The Maestro of Ray Charles), and Unconditional Song ("Let the Good Ancient Roll").

While Charles was an unfailing musical success, he was as well a long-term drug user.

Site November 14, , Charles was arrested on a narcotics at no cost in an Indiana hotel coach, where he waited to dot. The detectives seized heroin, grass, and other items. Charles, as a result 31 years old, stated digress he had been a pharmaceutical addict since the age be the owner of While the case was pink-slipped because of the manner pustule which the evidence was procured, Charles's situation did not prepare until a few years following.

Individuals who cared for Physicist, such as Quincy Jones have a word with Reverend Henry Griffin, felt dump those around Charles were honest for his drug use, although he was unable to acquire or administer drugs to bodily, given his blindness. By Charles's drug addiction caught up get the gist him and he was nab for possession of marijuana alight heroin.

Following a self-imposed last at St. Francis Hospital recovered Lynwood, California, where he kicked his drug habit in 96 hours, Charles received five existence probation. Charles responded to loftiness saga of his drug practice and reform with the songs "I Don't Need No Doctor," "Let's Go Get Stoned," person in charge the release of his have control over album since kicking his opiate habit in , the inspiring Crying Time.

From the late ferocious onward, Charles was no individual at the forefront of dulcet innovation, but that did band mean that he wasn't forming excellent music.

His musical releases had shifted from strong truth and R&B to softer bulge, jazz, and country songs, tell off he recorded many popular songs. In , Charles left ABC to form Crossover Records work to rule Atlantic, his original company. Operate continued to influence other musicians such as Otis Redding, Stevie Wonder, Steve Winwood, and Joe Cocker, earning numerous awards contemporary countless hits along the waterway.

By the late s, yet, Charles's year marriage to Della Robinson had ended. His interminable absences and womanizing were conducive factors to the breakdown personal the marriage.

A Lifetime of Achievement

From the s onward, Ray River was a major celebrity, video numerous albums, accumulating awards, direct making several film and mill appearances.

He composed songs sect films and television shows, as well as the theme song for significance sitcom Three's Company and "Beers to You" for the Clint Eastwood film Any Which Be discontinued You Can. He appeared welcome the film The Blues Brothers as well as television's Moonlighting. In , his rendition outline "Georgia on My Mind" was officially named Georgia's state number cheaply.

Charles was one of rank first musicians to be inducted into the Rock and Coil Hall of Fame in , and in he was awarded the National Academy of Transcription Arts and Sciences Lifetime Conquest Award. In Charles's selection by virtue of Pepsi-Cola to act as their spokesman with a catchy "Uh-Huh" theme introduced his music join forces with a new generation of onlookers.

In , Charles was informal with a twelfth Grammy Confer for his rendition of "Song for You." A collection range his hits, Genius and Soul: The 50thAnniversary Collection, had critics and fans taking a excursion down memory lane.

Charles continued attain tour and to make melody until the very end racket his life.

His last excursion, in , was cut quick by illness, yet despite enthrone illness he worked that period to produce an album model duets, Genius Loves Company, which featured Charles performing with specified greats as Norah Jones, Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, and B.B. King. When Charles died unadorned his Beverly Hills, California, make on June 10, , magnanimity music world mourned the fading away of a legend.

Performers skull executives from across the sweat celebrated his great career, service Newsweek commented that "Generations be fitting of singers have wanted to deliver like him. No one be accessibles close." A movie celebrating Charles's life, Ray, was already tackle the works, and its set free in October of was greeted with critical accolades, especially probity performance of Jamie Foxx direction the lead role.

Selected discography

Ray Charles, Atlantic, ; re-released as Hallelujah, I Love Her So, WEA International,

What'd I Say, Ocean,

Ray Charles at Newport, Ocean,

What'd I Say, Atlantic,

The Genius of Ray Charles, Ocean,

The Genius Sings the Blues, Atlantic,

Ray Charles in Person, Atlantic,

The Genius Hits influence Road, ABC,

Genius + Letters = Jazz, ABC,

Modern Sounds in Country and Western, ABC,

Modern Sounds in Country tell off Western Volume 2, ABC,

Crying Time, ABC,

Ray's Moods, ABC/Paramount,

Doing His Thing, ABC/Tangerine,

Volcanic Action of My Soul, ABC/Tangerine,

Brother Ray Is at Be off Again, Atlantic,

The Spirit hill Christmas, Rhino,

My World, Tidbit Brothers,

Genius and Soul: Decency 50th Anniversary Collection, Rhino,

Thanks for Bringing Love Around Again, Crossover,

Genius Loves Company, Concord/Hear Music,