Some of the Best Entertainment Talents in the World, Perform in Las Vegas, Nevada
Ray Charles Robinson
Ray Charles Robinson(born Sept. 23, 1930, Albany, Ga. , U. S. —died June 10, 2004, Beverly Hills, Calif. ) U. S. pianist,
singer, and songwriter. His family moved to Greenville, Fla. , someplace he begun his musical calling at age 5
in a local café. By age 7 he had totally lost his sight. He learned to write scores in Braille.
Orphaned at 15, he left school to play professionally. He recorded “Mess Around” and “It Should've Been Me”
in 1952–53, and his arrangement for Guitar Slim's “The Things That I Used to Do” became a million- seller.
Combining blues and gospel music influences, a characteristic raspy voice, and fluid phrasing, Charles soon after
had popularity with “What'd I Say, ” “Georgia on My Mind, ” and “Hit the Road, Jack. ” His Contemporary Sounds in Country
and Western Music(1962) , marking extraordinary territory for a black performer, sold more than a million copies.
He received 13 Grammy Awards, including a lifetime achievement award in 1987. Charles was inducted into
the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.
TIMELESS * Concerts with RAY Today - or 40 years ago