Who was Ray Charles? In 2004 Ray was voted the 10 th Greatest Artist of all time by Rolling Stone Magazine. Ray Fun Facts: 1 Ray Charles was an early pioneer of Soul music. He brought together Rhythm- and-Blues, Gospel and Jazz to create a new African American type of music called soul.

“THE GENIUS”  He was a singer, songwriter, piano player, and created musical arrangements.  Winner of many Grammy awards.  His music touched the lives of all diverse fans and he was a role model for many musicians.  He sang Pop, R&B, and Country Music “Hit The Road Jack” was #1 on both in 1961, It also won a Grammy the Pop and R&B Chart Award! Ray Fun Facts: 2

Ray Charles was born on September 23, 1930 in Albany, Georgia. His Mother worked in a mill and his father worked odd jobs and was barely home. They moved to Florida When Ray was five his four year old brother died and when he was seven he first started to go blind. “Georgia On My Mind”

Ray Charles was completely blind by the age of eight. He was sent to Saint Augustine in Florida, a special school for the blind and deaf where he discovered the love of music. After graduating he joined several traveling country bands. “Hit The Road Jack” Ray Fun Facts: Charles gave each of his 12 children $1 million in December 2002 at a family lunch.

DISCOVERING HIS VOICE At school, he learned to read, compose, and write music in braille. He also learned to play many instruments and had a natural talent. At 15 his mom died, and then his musical journey began. Ray Facts: Ray believed reading music in braille and playing by hear gave him a, “darn good memory.”

EARLY YEARS ON THE ROAD  Charles began playing in bands in Florida soon after his mother’s death.  By age 18, he was a road musician.  On the road playing in different bands, he learned about heroin  He used it to help him deal with his pain and it was popular. People didn’t know how harmful it was. “I did it to myself. It wasn’t society…it wasn’t a pusher, it wasn’t being blind or being black or poor. It was all my doing.”  Ray Charles

Kicking his drug habit In 1961,Charles was arrested for pot and heroin possession. Charges were dropped. In1964 arrested again for possession of pot and heroin. Good friends and family are worried about his drug addiction he checked into a rehab center in St. Francis Hospital in CA. He went through a painful heroin withdrawal in 96 hrs.

1966 he kicked his completely. He made the album called “Crying Time” that featured music about his drug use and getting off of them, The album won 8 Grammy Awards. After he got off drugs, his music was much better and he became really popular. Ray Charles was motivated to get off drugs when he heard his son call him a ‘drug addict.’ He wrote many songs about his road to recovery including, “I Don’t Need No Doctor” HEALING SIC

Ray Charles Ray Charles died in 2004 from liver disease. He was surrounded by family and friends at the time of his death..In 2004 Ray was honored in a film about his life. Jamie Foxx starred in it and won the Academy Award. Ray got to see it before his death.

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