Music Bloodline

Search

Ray Charles

R&B

1940s - 2000s

A brilliant, towering musical figure who through his singing and piano playing helped invent soul and R&B music.

Biography

Blind since the age of six, Ray Charles was the musician most responsible for developing soul music. Singers like Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson also did a great deal to pioneer the form, but Charles did even more to devise a new form of black pop by merging '50s R&B with gospel-powered vocals, adding plenty of flavor from contemporary jazz, blues, and country. His singing style was among the most emotional and easily identifiable of any 20th century performer. He was also a superb keyboard player, arranger, and bandleader. Though he recorded few classics after the mid-'60s, he recorded often and performed until his death. ~ Richie Unterberger

Top Tracks

Discography

Influences

Artists Influenced by Ray Charles

Built by Marc Neuwirth. Powered by Rovi.