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"Ray Charles Robinson (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) known by his stage name Ray Charles, was a pioneering American pianist and soul musician who shaped the sound of rhythm and blues. He brought a soulful sound to country music, pop standards, and a rendition of ""America the Beautiful"" that Ed Bradley of 60 Minutes called the ""definitive version of the song, an American anthem — a classic, just as the man who sang it."" Frank Sinatra called him ""the only true genius in the business."" Charles moved to Seattle in 1947 and soon started recording, first for the label Swingtime Records, achieving his first hit with ""Baby, Let Me Hold Your Hand"" in 1951, then at Atlantic Records a year later. Almost immediately after signing with Atlantic, Charles scored his first hit singles with the rap-like ""It Should Have Been Me"" and the ""Mess Around"", both making the charts in 1953. But it was Charles' ""I Got A Woman"" that brought the musician to national prominence. The song reached the top of Billboard's R&B singles chart in 1955 and from there until 1959, Charles would have a series of R&B chart-toppers. In 1959, Charles crossed over to top 40 radio with the release of his impromptu blues number, ""What'd I Say"". The song would reach number 1 on the R&B list and would become Charles' first top ten single on the pop charts. Charles would also record one of his finest albums, The Genius of Ray Charles, before leaving Atlantic for a more lucrative deal with ABC in 1959. Hit songs such as ""Georgia On My Mind"", ""Hit the Road Jack"" and ""Unchain My Heart"" helped him transition to pop success and his landmark 1962 album, Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music, helped to bring country into the mainstream. Ray Charles' final public appearance came on April 30, 2004, at the dedication of his music studio as a historic landmark in the city of Los Angeles. He died on June 10, 2004 of liver cancer at his home in Beverly Hills, California, surrounded by family and friends. His final album, Genius Loves Company, released two months after his death, consists of duets with various admirers. The album won eight Grammy Awards, including five for Ray Charles. In 1981, he was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was one of the first inductees to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame at its inaugural ceremony in 1986. He received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1986.[23] In 1987, he was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1991, he was inducted to the Rhythm & Blues Foundation, in 2004 he was inducted to the Jazz Hall of Fame, and inducted to the National Black Sports & Entertainment Hall of Fame. Also in 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked him #10 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia."

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