Ray Charles Robinson

1. Ray Charles Robinson “The Genius” and “The Father of Soul” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XtF8zI3WMg&t=1s Crossing over - Blues, R&B, Jazz, Soul, Country, Pop, and Rock-n-Roll

2. Born in the Great Depression (1930 - 2004) • The stock market crashed in 1929 and the resulting economic crisis lasted through most of the 1930’s - when Ray Charles was a child. • Born in Georgia, moved to Florida as an infant. • Ray witnessed the drowning death of his brother at the age of 5. • Ray began to go blind due to glaucoma and lost his sight entirely by age 7. • His mother, Aretha, encouraged him to be self-sufficient and value learning, so that he could have a better future. • His mother sent him away to a school for the Deaf and Blind, where he learned to read, write, and arrange music in Braille. • He was nicknamed “Foots” because he didn’t have money for shoes. • Also learned to play the piano, organ, sax, clarinet, and trumpet. • His mother died when he was 15. • Ray left school after she died and went on tour for a year on the “Chitlin Circuit” in the South. • Other artists who played the same circuit and became famous: Jimi Hendrix, The Jackson Five, and Sammy Davis Jr.

3. Musical Career • Moved to Seattle at age 16, meets Quincy Jones, who would be a lifelong friend and collaborator. • His biggest early influence was Nat King Cole, but he soon developed his own style. • 1949 - releases his first single, “Confession Blues”, which did well on R&B charts. • Quickly creates more hits and finds great success as a musician. • In the 50’s he began performing as a Jazz musician. • He helped popularize and shape Soul music with hits like “I Got a Woman”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8kdX6VJ2oY • Later went on to cross-over to other genres, such as Country, Rock and Roll, and Pop - this was his “genius” and he influenced musicians across many genres. Quincy Jones and Ray Charles, early 1960’s.

4. Personal Life • His personal life was always in turmoil - he struggled with drug addiction for almost 20 years. • He was married twice, at 21 and 25 years old. • He had romances with many women, including some of his backup singers. • He acknowledges 12 children, but is rumored to have fathered more. • It was said that the only time Ray Charles acted blind was when he was around beautiful women. His romantic escapades were legendary. • Margie Hendrix, one of the original “Raelettes” in the 50’s and 60’s, was his muse. They had a son together before she left the group in 1964. Margie Hendrix had one of the most unique voices in Amreican music: Baby: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0mGLF1V0ukHit the Road Jack (Duet): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9A7h_vGp6c

5. Major Contributions to Music • “The Genius” of crossing genres - Blues, R&B, Jazz, Country, Soul, Rock, and Pop music. • “The Father of Soul” - his hit song What’d I Say is “the song that launched Soul music” into mainstream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAjeSS3kktA • 1962 album “Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music” featured his own soulful interpretations of country classics. • 1980’s - inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. • Recorded more than 60 albums and performed over 10,000 concerts.

6. Ray - The Movie • 2004 biopic about the life and career of Ray Charles. • Won 2 Oscars, 1 Golden Globe. • Jamie Foxx plays the part of Ray Charles. • The film shows his early life, from the time he goes blind, to his rise to stardom in the 50s and 60s. • Movie Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVHCQfcugdw