Ray Charles
Ray Charles Robinson Sr. (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) was a remarkable American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Blinded during his childhood, possibly due to glaucoma, Ray Charles overcame adversity to become a trailblazer in the music industry. During the 1950s, he pioneered the soul music genre by skillfully blending blues, jazz, rhythm and blues, and gospel styles in the music he recorded for Atlantic Records. Notably, he played a pivotal role in integrating country music, rhythm and blues, and pop music during the 1960s through his crossover success on ABC Records, exemplified by his two Modern Sounds albums. He earned the distinction of being one of the first black musicians to be granted artistic control by a mainstream record company while he was with ABC. His enduring legacy continues to inspire generations of musicians and music lovers alike.