Ray Charles
1930 – 2004

Ray Charles

American singer, pianist and songwriter (1930–2004)

recording artistsoul musicianjazz musicianvocalistmusic arranger
Born
1930-09-23, Albany
Died
2004-06-10
Birthplace state
Georgia

Biography

Ray Charles Robinson was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He is regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century and was often referred to by contemporaries as "The Genius". Among friends and fellow musicians, Charles preferred being called "Brother Ray". He lost his vision as a child, possibly due to glaucoma, and consequently wore dark glasses.

Occupation

Ray Charles is recorded as a recording artist, a soul musician, a jazz musician, a vocalist, a music arranger, a bandleader, a musician, a pianist, a singer-songwriter, a singer and a composer, born in Georgia (1930–2004).

Connections to Georgia

Ray Charles was born in Albany, Georgia in 1930. Explore other notable figures from Georgia, historic sites connected to this era, and the full colonial and statehood history of the state using the links below.

Other notable figures from Georgia›Georgiahistory ›Historic sites in Georgia›
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Overview
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The Land
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Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
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Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
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More notable figures from Georgia

Other historical figures born in Georgia, ranked by historical prominence.

Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr.
American Baptist minister and civil rights leader (1929–1968)
Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter
president of the United States from 1977 to 1981 (1924–2024)
Margaret Mitchell
Margaret Mitchell
American author and journalist (1900–1949)
Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan
American professional wrestler, actor and television personality (1953–2025)
Rosalynn Carter
Rosalynn Carter
First Lady of the United States from 1977 to 1981
Brittany Murphy
Brittany Murphy
American actress and singer (1977–2009)
Little Richard
Little Richard
American musician (1932–2020)

Frequently asked about Ray Charles

Who was Ray Charles?
Ray Charles was American singer, pianist and songwriter (1930–2004), born in Georgia (1930 – 2004).
When and where was Ray Charles born?
Ray Charles was born on 1930-09-23 in Albany.
When did Ray Charles die?
Ray died on 2004-06-10.
What was Ray Charles known for?
Ray Charles is recorded as a recording artist, a soul musician, a jazz musician, a vocalist, a music arranger, a bandleader, a musician, a pianist, a singer-songwriter, a singer and a composer.
Source

Biographical content adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Source: Wikipedia.

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