| First Name |
Ray
|
| Middle Name |
Charles
|
| Last Name |
Robinson
|
| Full Name at Birth |
Raymond Charles Robinson
|
| Alternative Name |
The Genius of Soul, Brother Ray, The High Priest, Ray Charles, Raymond Charles Robinson, Ray Charles Robinson, The Genius, Ray, R.C.
|
| Birthday |
23rd September, 1930
|
| Birthplace |
Albany, Georgia, USA
|
| Died |
10th June, 2004
|
| Place of Death |
Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA
|
| Cause of Death |
Acute Liver Failure
|
| Buried |
Inglewood Park Cemetery, Inglewood, Los Angeles County, California, USA
|
| Height |
5' 9" (175 cm)
|
| Weight |
176lbs (80 kg)
|
| Build |
Average
|
| Eye Color |
Brown - Dark
|
| Hair Color |
Grey
|
| Distinctive Feature |
Baritone Voice, Affable Smile, Dry humor, Always wore jet dark sunglasses
|
| Zodiac Sign |
Virgo
|
| Sexuality |
Straight
|
| Religion |
Baptist
|
| Ethnicity |
Black
|
| Nationality |
American
|
| High School |
Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, St. Augustine, Florida, USA
|
| Occupation Text |
Musician, Singer, Songwriter, Composer
|
| Occupation |
Musician
|
| Claim to Fame |
pioneering soul music and blending various genres like blues, gospel, R&B, jazz, and even country, with songs such as "Georgia on My Mind," "Hit the Road Jack," and "What'd I Say," as well as "I Can't Stop Loving You" and "I Got a Woman", in addition to his unique vocal style, passionate piano playing, and showmanship, earning him the nicknames "The Genius" and "The Father of Soul"
|
| Music Genre (Text) |
Rhythm and Blues, Soul, Blues, Jump Blues, Piano Blues, Soul Blues, Gospel, Country, Jazz, Vocal Jazz, Pop, Rock and Roll, R&B
|
| Music Genre |
R&B, Pop/Rock, Blues, Jazz
|
| Year(s) Active |
1947–2004, 1947–2001, 1946–2004, 1947–2004
|
| Music Style |
Soul, Early R&B, Piano Blues, Country Soul, Pop-Soul, Early Pop/Rock, Jazz Blues, Urban Blues, AM Pop
|
| Music Mood |
Confident, Earthy, Energetic, Gritty, Party/Celebratory, Rambunctious, Rousing, Bittersweet, Bravado, Dramatic, Exuberant, Freewheeling, Organic, Passionate, Plaintive, Playful, Poignant, Swaggering, Amiable/Good-Natured, Earnest
|
| Instrument |
Leader, Piano, Vocals, Keyboards
|
| Instrument (text) |
Vocals, Piano, Keyboards, Alto Saxophone, Trombone, Saxophone, Organ, Keyboard
|
| Record Label |
Atlantic, ABC, Warner Bros., Swing Time, Concord, Columbia, Flashback, Tangerine, Tangerine/Crossover, Atlantic Recording Corporation, ABC Records, Warner Records Inc., Swing Time Records, Concord Records, Columbia Records, His Master's Voice (UK)
|
| Associated Acts |
The Raelettes, USA for Africa, Billy Joel, Gladys Knight, Hank Williams Jr., Willie Nelson
|
| Brand Endorsement |
(1976) Print ads: Craig Powerplay Car Stereo systems, (1985-86) Print ads: Pioneer's LaserDisc video system, (early 1990s) TV commercial (Japan only): Honda autos, (1988-89) TV commercials (voiceovers, w/The Temptations): California Raisins, (early 1990s) TV commercial: Diet Pepsi, (2003) TV commercial: Georgia state lottery, (2002) Radio commercial: for milk ad campaign, singing and piano playing
|
| Official Websites |
www.raycharles.com/, http://www.raycharles.com, http://raycharles.com, https://raycharles.com/
|
| Mother |
Aretha Robinson
|
| Brother |
George Robinson
|
| Family Member |
Ray Charles Robinson Jr. (Son)
|
| Friend |
Quincy Jones
|
| Favorite People |
Nat King Cole
|
Ray Charles Robinson (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential musicians in history, and was often referred to by contemporaries as "The Genius". Among friends and fellow musicians, he preferred being called "Brother Ray". Charles was blinded during childhood, possibly due to glaucoma.
