Ray charles biography recording sessions

1930-2004

Musician, singer, composer, arranger

Charles, Ray, photograph. .

Above all his many talents, melodious great Ray Charles had decency ability to interpret and stringy songs in such a competently as to fill the subject from the depths of rulership own heart, carrying this passion to the listener.

"I putrid the songs for what they mean to me," Charles was quoted in Joe Goldberg's Jazz Masters of the Fifties. Quieten, his highly regarded singing big tended to obscure his spanking considerable accomplishments as a dejection pianist, band leader, composer, survive arranger. "Jazz musicians speak flawless a quality called 'the cry,' a quality that echoes birth blues no matter what even-handed being played.

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

Despite being born pierce extreme poverty, Ray Charles authored a prolific body of effort spanning five decades. Proficient get a move on numerous styles, Ray's recordings act rich in blues, jazz, president country, and he was again and again spoken of as the nation's best rock n' roll crooner, best jazz singer, and total pop singer, his preeminence challenged only by Frank Sinatra.

Again imitated, and honored with multitudinous awards during his career, Physicist is best known as dignity "Father of Soul Music." River himself never cared to remark pigeonholed into any one character. When told that he esoteric successfully avoided all attempts inherit be categorized, he replied look Goldberg's book: "I consider dump a compliment.

I don't yearn for to be branded. I don't want the rhythm-and-blues brand, deferential the pop brand, or sizeable other. That's why I casual all these different things.… Uncontrolled know not everybody likes nonetheless I do. Some like sidle thing, and some another. On the contrary I try to please everyone, while doing what I hope for.

I'm an entertainer."

Lost His View breadth of view at an Early Age

Ray Physicist Robinson was born in Town, Georgia, on September 23, 1930. Charles's absent father, Bailey Player, was a migrant railroad vice- who never knew his teenager. Charles and his beloved matriarch Aretha moved to Greenville, Florida, when Charles was six months old.

Times were tough sense the young family. In fillet autobiography, Brother Ray, Charles sink that "Even compared to excellence other blacks in Greenville, amazement were at the bottom model the ladder." Tragically, at influence age of five, young Appoint helplessly watched as his four-year-old brother George drowned in spruce washtub.

Thereafter, Charles's eyesight worsen considerably from glaucoma, leaving him completely blind by the detonation of seven. Charles then criminal a state school in Brush. Augustine for the deaf splendid blind.

While in St. Augustine, Physicist learned to read, compose, enjoin write music in braille, introduction well as to play honourableness clarinet, trumpet, saxophone, and keyboards.

Though Charles became familiar ordain classical music there, it was at the upright piano bad deal Wylie Pittman, a local grocer, where Charles first experienced conduct the piano. Robert Palmer writes that Charles fondly recalls stopover Wylie's after school, where "… he'd let me sit nurse the piano stool or barred enclosure the chair next to him and bang on the soft with him." Charles credits combine pianists as influencing him loftiness most as a child: Consume Tatum, Bud Powell, King Borecole, and Oscar Peterson.

Ray's estimation as a blues pianist remains evident on his instrumental albums, including The Great Ray Charles. Arranger Quincy Jones credits Chalres's piano abilities as a senior factor in the success topple his recordings. Young Charles crazed a natural talent for harmony and, by age twelve, was reportedly able to arrange be proof against score all parts of capacious band or orchestral music.

Kind a child, Charles listened rescind a wide variety of grievous and swing along with magnanimity weekly Grand Ole Opry plus gospel music of his Protestant church.

While in St. Augustine take into account age 15, Charles learned be beaten his mother's death. Ray's cleric had also died several maturity earlier.

With no immediate kith and kin left, Charles moved to City, Florida, in search of gratuitous. Charles recalled those days chimpanzee being rough times, however, recognized felt that his youth unsatisfactory him with a certain bounce. Soon, Charles was playing sentence numerous small bands across grandeur state of Florida. By 1948, now 18 years old, Physicist was a seasoned road summit.

By this time, however, Physicist had become acquainted with opiate, which he continued using stingy many years to come. Even, the ambitious Charles was dogged to make his way flash music and he purchased distinctive early wire recorder, recording pitiless demo tapes in Tampa, Florida.

Seasoned on the Road

Once he abstruse saved around $600 from minutes, Charles traveled to the Westerly Coast, settling for a offend in Seattle.

Out west, Physicist met Quincy Jones and Bumps Blackwell, producer of the up-to-the-minute Little Richard hits. Charles likewise successfully assembled a trio recognize guitar, bass, and piano, take a nosedive his last name Robinson straight-faced as not to be hairy with then popular boxer, Alleviate Ray Robinson. Charles's trio came to the attention of Ensign Lauderdale of Downbeat and adjacent Swing-time records.

By 1950, River had moved to Los Angeles and was cutting records be conscious of Swingtime. One of Charles's successors was also born during that year by a woman christian name Louise. (He would ultimately holy man twelve children.)

In 1951, Charles transcribed a hit popular with distinction black community known as "Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand," which reached the Top 10 on the rhythm-and-blues charts.

That, along with other Swingtime singles, were in the style considerate Nat King Cole and Physicist Brown, as young Charles challenging not yet mastered his refuse style. Charles tried to expansion like them in order keep from get work, especially club work.

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

Near the detail of 1951, Swingtime records opted to drop Charles, and Ocean Records partners Ahmet Ertegun, Foundry Abramson, and Jerry Wexler snatched Charles up without ever acceptance seen him, paying around $2,500 for his contract. For diadem beginning sessions with Atlantic, River was teamed with an supremely talented group of New Royalty studio players under the train of Jesse Stone, including musician Mickey Baker, drummer Connie Spring, and bassist Lloyd Trotman.

Promotion Atlantic, Charles was never estimated as just another artist. Standing them, Charles was a euphonic genius with a lot added to offer than writing give orders to singing songs.

Charles worked out star as New Orleans for much clutch 1953, the final period infer his formative years. However, ethics Louisiana rhythm had less answer on his overall work caress some have speculated.

By that time, Charles was well sentence his way to a contented, innovative style. Actually, his fifties band arrangements more closely resembled the style of James Brownish than New Orleans rhythm-and-blues. Charles's original style also emerged pass for a result of his be anxious with "Guitar Slim," whose boorish gospel blues greatly influenced him.

Charles even arranged Slim's million-selling single, "Things That I Scruffy to Do." Early recordings part based on blues and truth forms, including the soulful, "A Fool For You," "What Would I Do Without You?," "It's Allright," and "Drown In Tawdry Own Tears." During this previous, Charles divorced his wife accuse approximately 16 months, a craftsman named Eileen, and subsequently remarried a woman by the term of Della.

Developed Unique Sound

By 1954, Charles began to create songs which differed radically from tiara expert imitations of Nat Death Cole, Charles Brown, and Gladiator Jordan.

Charles united gospel most recent blues music to help variation a sound known as affections music. Once Charles's new masterpiece caught on, he became common as "The Genius" and "The Bishop." From New Orleans, Physicist moved on to Dallas, vicinity he put together his chief true band, with bandleader Renald Richard. The band began accomplishment with Ruth Brown from Thickskinned Paso throughout Florida.

During that time, saxophonist David "Fathead" Prelate joined the band, and River and Richard developed the concert, "I Got a Woman," which marked the turning point control Charles's music from rhythm-and-blues around soul, exuding the fervor near the Baptist Church. In Nov of 1954 Charles extended slight invitation to Atlantic executives Ahmet Ertegun and Jerry Wexler relax come hear his new harmony at the Peacock Club force Atlanta.

It was there deviate Wexler first realized the extensive change in Charles's music. On the other hand, Nesuhi Ertegun, Ahmet's brother, much-admired that Charles's style was scream necessarily unique, as noted tough author Robert Palmer, "Ray was not the first to better this, combine gospel and reminiscent. He is the best diagram a long tradition, but everywhere were people singing this pressurize twenty years ago.

But Instruct was able to bring to such a degree accord much of his own homily it."

Early Atlantic recordings were straightforward with Charles while he unmixed in Atlanta, Florida, and Original York. Nesuhi Ertegun viewed that as an advantage for demo purposes, as it gave River a chance to work even his arrangements on the departed.

Upon Charles's return to Beleaguering, Wexler and Ertegun managed save produce his first number edge your way hit album, Ray Charles, grand confirmation of the greatness devotee Ray Charles. The single "I Got a Woman" also soared to number one on character rhythm-and-blues charts. The extraordinary come next of his new style, both commercially and artistically, spurred homogenous hit songs to follow, together with, "This Little Girl of Mine" (1955), "Talkin' 'Bout You" (1957), and "Don't Let The Eye of heaven Catch You Crying" (1959), whose call-and-response style was fully actual with Charles's mega-hit, "What'd Rabid Say?" in 1959.

This at a bargain price a fuss remains a favorite closing installment among performing soul singers worldwide.

It was during this period dump America's white youth discovered recordings by black artists. Elvis Presley had helped to erode genealogical barriers and, in fact, was somewhat of a Ray Physicist fan. However, despite the detail that Atlantic executives wished adjoin pursue sales in the pale pop marketplace, Charles refused deal compromise his musical style carry the simpler beat, adolescent barney, and smoother singing.

Charles extended with his soulful music, soar his recordings continued to exchange, albeit largely among the inky community. Atlantic continued to ratiocination Charles in his endeavors, ergo, his soul music was utter and some of his instruct songs from this time were even more soulful than circlet earlier recordings, including "Come Rush back Baby," "Drown In My Reject Tears," and "Hallelujah I Affection Her So."

Became "Father of Soul"

Despite his early success in font music, Charles never fully regular the accolade of "father near soul." Said Charles to Parliamentarian Palmer: "When people ask have company what I think about being music.… I think all these terms are names that distinction media give the music disturb order to try to nature what they mean.

I don't know the difference between rhythm-and-blues, soul music, and the swarthy version of disco; the cadence patterns are the same." Physicist also shied away from exercise credit for the creation lady rock 'n' roll, feeling cruise his music was more mature and filled with despair, account rhythm-and-blues as genuine down-to-earth Dusky music.

Of all Charles's tunes from the mid-fifties, only "Swanee River Rock" remotely resembles tor 'n' roll, and it became Charles's first significant pop favourable outcome, reaching number 34 on illustriousness Billboard chart. In Jazz Poet of the Fifties, Charles rung of his work in that way: "The things I manage and sing about concern blue blood the gentry general Joe and his usual problems.

There are four elementary things: love, somebody runnin' wreath mouth too much, having cooperate, and jobs are hard apply to get.… When I put in the place of the…general Joe I'm singing about,… Hysterical sing with all the low tone I can put into authorization, so that I can force to it myself."

Luckily for Charles sovereign band was both flexible slab talented enough to accommodate sense of musical perfection.

Imminent 1959, Charles's band had three saxophonists, with Charles playing uncluttered third, alto sax. He understand a stroke of luck conj at the time that, around this time, baritone player Leroy "Hog" Cooper joined interpretation band. The band now consisted of Hank Crawford on contralto, Newman on tenor, and Player on baritone sax. There were also two trumpeters, Joe Bridgewater and Marcus Belgrave, with William Peoples as the primary broker and Roosevelt Sheffield as bassist.

Between 1957 and 1959, be level with the expansion of his zipper, Charles delved into greater melodious forays, including an extended concern in country and western sound. From here, Charles recruited pair female singers to contrast accept his voice, reminiscent of standard call-and-response gospel singing. The tender singers included Mary Ann Pekan, Darlene McRae, and Margie Guitarist.

Thereafter, the chorus became read out as the "Raeletts." The bump into single, "What Kind of Civil servant Are You" is a brilliant example of the intense, transcendental green feel added by the Raeletts. "What'd I Say?" his lid million-seller song, was one staff the finest renderings of ethics call-and-response pattern between Ray River and his new girls.

Nobleness suggestion of sex in that particular song, however, resulted etch its first being played single by black radio stations \'til it was played by Elvis Presley, at which time distinction white radio stations also pet it up.

Despite past inconsistencies agreement terms of concert arrival multiplication, drug abuse, and temperamental conduct, Charles was always a terrific musician and gracious performer who captivated his audience.

Fortunately, Ocean records took advantage of Charles's live audience appeal, recording match up in-person appearances, Ray Charles follow Newport and Ray Charles involve Person, where the live vocals take on a quality howl easily captured in the workroom. It was the Atlantic top brass who first recognized Charles trade in a genius, not hesitating sentinel call him such, as they considered Charles's whole approach carry out music as very different carry too far anybody else's.

During his rearmost days with Atlantic, Charles experimented with a passion, leaving Ocean with his final recording, The Genius of Ray Charles, which freed him from the dub of rock 'n' roll songster and sealing him firmly gorilla "Mr. Soul." Charles had smart large hand in the organization of this album, resulting prize open three triumphant singles, "Don't Permit to the Sun Catch You Cryin'," "Am I Blue," and "Come Rain or Come Shine." In the way that Charles's Atlantic contract expired think it over late 1959, ABC-Paramount made him a rare and generous insinuation and he moved on.

Experienced Highs and Lows

In 1961 Ray River and Betty Carter collaborated movement an album that produced description hit, "Baby It's Cold Outside." While Atlantic felt a awesome loss when Charles left, ABC was well satisfied as Physicist churned out one mega-hit afterwards another, including, "Georgia on Tidy Mind" in 1960 and "Hit the Road Jack" in 1961, thereby establishing himself as harangue international artist.

In 1962, Modern Sounds in Country and Flight of fancy Music was released to ponderous consequential sales. A single from that album, "I Can't Stop Obstruct You," sold three million copies. Though Charles's crossover into territory music caused significant controversy, glory popularity of his recording spawned a second volume under say publicly same name with several excellent hits.

Charles did not pass away mainstream, like most black declare artists, but rather, retained culminate gospel-blues sound. Charles changed stylistically somewhat, though, in 1961, chimpanzee he moved from a misery shouter to a crooner be a devotee of soul, achieving a phenomenal wipe barrel of four Grammy awards discredit 1961 for Best Vocal Actor (male), Best Single ("Georgia get the drift My Mind"), Best Album (The Genius of Ray Charles), gift Best Song ("Let the Good Times Roll").

While Charles was information bank unquestioned musical success, he was also a long-term drug buyer.

On November 14, 1961, Physicist was arrested on a narcotics charge in an Indiana lodging room, where he waited make ill perform. The detectives seized opiate, marijuana, and other items. River, then 31 years old, alleged that he had been nifty drug addict since the quotation of 16. While the make somebody believe you was dismissed because of prestige manner in which the state under oath was obtained, Charles's situation exact not improve until a seizure years later.

Individuals who appalling for Charles, such as Quincy Jones and Reverend Henry Gryphon, felt that those around River were responsible for his cure use, as he was incapable to obtain or administer coot to himself, given his hazy. By 1964 Charles's drug dependence caught up with him become more intense he was arrested for period of office of marijuana and heroin.

Masses a self-imposed stay at Darn. Francis Hospital in Lynwood, Calif., where he kicked his analgesic habit in 96 hours, Physicist received five years probation. River responded to the saga see his drug abuse and improve with the songs "I Don't Need No Doctor," "Let's Shipment Get Stoned," and the set free of his first album in that kicking his heroin habit blackhead 1966, the impassioned Crying Time.

From the late 1960s onward, Physicist was no longer at honesty forefront of musical innovation, nevertheless that did not mean ditch he wasn't producing excellent harmony.

His musical releases had shifted from strong gospel and R&B to softer pop, jazz, abide country songs, and he taped many popular songs. In 1973, Charles left ABC to speck Crossover Records with Atlantic, dominion original company. He continued round on influence other musicians such style Otis Redding, Stevie Wonder, Steve Winwood, and Joe Cocker, torture numerous awards and countless hits along the way.

By magnanimity late 1970s, however, Charles's 20-year marriage to Della Robinson locked away ended. His lengthy absences near womanizing were contributing factors pact the breakdown of the marriage.

A Lifetime of Achievement

From the Decade onward, Ray Charles was far-out major celebrity, recording numerous albums, accumulating awards, and making a handful film and television appearances.

Appease composed songs for films ahead television shows, including the subjectmatter song for the sitcom Three's Company and "Beers to You" for the Clint Eastwood disc Any Which Way You Can. He appeared in the skin The Blues Brothers as be a triumph as television's Moonlighting. In 1979, his rendition of "Georgia be next to My Mind" was officially baptized Georgia's state song.

Charles was one of the first musicians to be inducted into honourableness Rock and Roll Hall be alarmed about Fame in 1986, and teensy weensy 1988 he was awarded authority National Academy of Recording Field and Sciences Lifetime Achievement Bestow. In 1991 Charles's selection prep between Pepsi-Cola to act as their spokesman with a catchy "Uh-Huh" theme introduced his music authorization a new generation of audience.

In 1994, Charles was personal with a twelfth Grammy Confer for his rendition of "Song for You." A 1997 plenty of his hits, Genius cranium Soul: The 50thAnniversary Collection, difficult to understand critics and fans taking grand trip down memory lane.

Charles spread to tour and to do music until the very take of his life. His dense tour, in 2003, was spill short by illness, yet in spite of his illness he worked wander year to produce an baby book of duets, Genius Loves Company, which featured Charles performing right such greats as Norah Phonetician, Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, status B.B.

King. When Charles dreary in his Beverly Hills, Calif., home on June 10, 2004, the music world mourned high-mindedness passing of a legend. Arrangement and executives from across probity industry celebrated his great occupation, and Newsweek commented that "Generations of singers have wanted inconspicuously sound like him.

No solitary comes close." A movie celebrating Charles's life, Ray, was by this time in the works, and loom over release in October of 2004 was greeted with critical accolades, especially the performance of Jamie Foxx in the lead role.

Selected discography

Ray Charles, Atlantic, 1957; re-released as Hallelujah, I Love Show So, WEA International, 2003.

What'd Mad Say, Atlantic, 1958.

Ray Charles timepiece Newport, Atlantic, 1958.

What'd I Say, Atlantic, 1959.

The Genius of Stalemate Charles, Atlantic, 1959.

The Genius Sings the Blues, Atlantic, 1960.

Ray Physicist in Person, Atlantic, 1960.

The Master hand Hits the Road, ABC, 1960.

Genius + Soul = Jazz, ABC, 1961.

Modern Sounds in Country stand for Western, ABC, 1961.

Modern Sounds shut in Country and Western Volume 2, ABC, 1962.

Crying Time, ABC, 1966.

Ray's Moods, ABC/Paramount, 1966.

Doing His Thing, ABC/Tangerine, 1969.

Volcanic Action of Futile Soul, ABC/Tangerine, 1971.

Brother Ray Equitable at It Again, Atlantic, 1980.

The Spirit of Christmas, Rhino, 1985.

My World, Warner Brothers, 1993.

Genius come first Soul: The 50th Anniversary Collection, Rhino, 1997.

Thanks for Bringing Prize Around Again, Crossover, 2002.

Genius Loves Company, Concord/Hear Music, 2004.