Ray Charles
By: Lilian Le, Jack Capurso
Early Life
- Born September 23, 1930
- Born into poverty family in Albany, Georgia
- Blind at age 7 from glaucoma
- Went to St Augustine(Florida) for the deaf and blind
- Began singing at 16 in local hillbilly group
- Studied music, piano, and braille
Influences
- Role model Nat King Cole
- Gospel
- Jazz
- Frank Sinatra
- Country
- Rhythm and blues
- Artie Shaw
His music
- Formed his own band 1955
- "I Got a Woman" (1955)
- "Hit the Road Jack"
- " A Fool for You"
- first million sell out "What'd I Say"
- "Busted"
- "Crying time"
- Released first album in 1957
Time Period
- In the 50's cold war was rising up
- In the 60's called "turbulent" uncontrolled electrifying events and social change
- Civil activism
- People were against the war of Vietnam
- 80's equality for women, growth of technology, decline of labor
- Died June 10, 2004
Interesting Facts
- African american singer
- Music helped him escaped from his problems
- Changed his named to Ray Charles to not get confused with a boxer
- His music got popular during War War 2
Ray Charles - What'd I Say LIVE