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Early Years [King] by Ray Charles released in 1978. Find album reviews, track lists, credits, awards and more at AllMusic.
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Ray Charles Robinson Sr. (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".
- Who Was Ray Charles?
- Early Life
- Musical Evolution
- Critical Acclaim: "The Genius"
- Later Career
- Death and Legacy
- Movie and Final Album
Ray Charles was a legendary musician who pioneered the genre of soul music during the 1950s. Often called the "Father of Soul," Charles combined blues, gospel and jazz to create groundbreaking hits such as "Unchain My Heart," "Hit the Road Jack" and "Georgia on My Mind." He died in 2004, leaving a lasting impression on contemporary music.
Ray Charles Robinson was born on September 23, 1930, in Albany, Georgia. His father, a mechanic, and his mother, a sharecropper, moved the family to Greenville, Florida when he was an infant. One of the most traumatic events of his childhood was witnessing the drowning death of his younger brother. Soon after his brother's death, Charles gradually ...
Charles' mother died when he was 15, and for a year he toured on the "Chitlin' Circuit" in the South. While on the road, he picked up a love for heroin. At the of age 16, Charles moved to Seattle. There, he met a young Quincy Jones, a friend and collaborator he would keep for the rest of his life. Charles performed with the McSon Trio in 1940s. His...
A year later, Charles' now classic song, "I Got a Woman," reached No. 1 on the R&B charts. The song reflected an advance in his musical style. He was no longer a Cole imitator. His fusion of gospel and R&B helped to create a new musical genre known as soul. By the late 1950s, Charles began entertaining the world of jazz, cutting records with member...
Charles avoided jail after his arrest for possession by finally kicking the habit at a clinic in Los Angeles. His releases in the 1960s and '70s were hit-or-miss, but he remained one of music's most respected stars. Charles won a Grammy Award for his rendition of Stevie Wonder's "Living for the City." Three years later, he released his autobiograph...
In 2003, Charles had to cancel his tour for the first time in 53 years. He underwent hip replacement surgery. While that operation was successful, Charles soon learned he was suffering from liver disease. He died on June 10, 2004, at his home in Beverly Hills, California. During his lifetime, Charles recorded more than 60 albums and performed more ...
Charles's final album, Genius Loves Company, released two months after his death, consists of duets with various admirers and contemporaries. His life story became a hit film entitled Ray later that year. Jamie Foxxstarred as the legendary performer, and he won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Charles.
https://www.discogs.com/release/5815110-Ray-Charles-The-Early-Years
View credits, reviews, tracks and shop for the 1977 Vinyl release of "Ray Charles The Early Years" on Discogs.
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- Vinyl, LP, Compilation
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Feb 10, 2007 · Amazon.com: Early Years: CDs & Vinyl. Skip to main content.us. Hello Select your address CDs & Vinyl. Select the department you want to search in. Search Amazon. EN ...
Ray Charles (born September 23, 1930, Albany, Georgia, U.S.—died June 10, 2004, Beverly Hills, California) was an American pianist, singer, composer, and bandleader, a leading entertainer billed as “the Genius.”
