Ray Charles

By: Tim Hamza

Blind and Orphaned
At the age of four years old, Ray Charles witnessed his brother die right in
front of him. He drowned in a laundry tub and Ray was the only one to
see it. About two or three years later, Ray lost all vision and soon started
going to a school that was for the deaf and for the blind from 1937-45 in
St. Augustine and developed a talent for music. He lost his father when he
was 10 and his mother when he was 15. Once he lost his mother, he left
Florida and went to Washington State, where he made a name for himself
by mixing gospel and blues and creating the genre of “Soul” music, which
is very well known, even today.
“The Genius of Soul”
Ray's love for music began at a very young age, where he was exposed to
various genres including gospel and blues. As he grew older, he developed a
unique taste in music and started blending the two genres together, giving birth
to his own musical style - Soul. It was a genre that resonated with him and was
a reflection of his soulful personality. Soon enough, his music caught the
attention of many people in Seattle, Washington, where he was able to gain a
large following. As the popularity of Soul grew, more and more artists started
writing and performing soul music, making it a significant part of the music
industry. Ray's contribution to the genre was immense, and his ability to create
soulful music that touched the hearts of many, will always be remembered.
The Civil Rights Advocate
Ray Charles, the renowned musician, is celebrated not only for his groundbreaking
contributions to music but also for his pivotal role in the Civil Rights movement. As
an African American, he faced discrimination and used his fame to champion racial
equality. His financial support to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and headlining of
benefit concerts were instrumental in advancing the cause of civil rights. Ray's bold
opposition to segregation by refusing to perform in segregated venues, despite
facing legal challenges, was a powerful statement against discrimination. His
principled stance and unwavering commitment to social justice inspired many to
join the fight for their rights. Ray Charles' enduring legacy is a testament to the
transformative power of music in fostering positive change and a reminder that
individuals have the capacity to shape a more equitable and just society, even in the
face of daunting obstacles.
Cool Facts About Ray Charles
Although Ray Charles started making a name for himself in Washington State at the age
of seventeen, he was actually born in Albany, Georgia. When he was a few years old, his
family moved to Florida. When he lost his family at a young age, he wanted to move as
far away from Florida as possible, and ended up in Washington.

He was married six times, and he had twelve children with ten different women. In his
early seventies, when he was diagnosed with cancer, called a meeting between all his
children where he discussed their inheritance and told them he was dying.

Throughout his career, Charles was active in a range of political and humanitarian causes.
Not only did he provide financial support to Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights
movement; he was also a staunch supporter of Israel. In 1984 Ray Charles performed his
version of "America the Beautiful" at the Republican National Convention. A few years
later, Ray Charles formed the Robinson Foundation for Hearing Disorders, with a $1
million personal endowment.
10 of Ray Charles greatest hits

1. Can’t Stop Loving You

2. Hit the Road Jack on Saturday
3. Hallelujah I Love her so
4. A Song for You
5. Georgia on my Mind
6. America the Beautiful
7. Living for the City
8. What’d I say
9. Let it be
10.Somewhere Over the Rainbow
My Favorite Hit
In my opinion, his greatest song was Let it
be, which he released in 1977. I liked how
the music sounded uplifting but at the same
time felt like there was pain and sadness in
the words.
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