Biography:Known professionally as Ray Charles, he helped pioneer soul music with hits such as "Hit the Road, Jack", "Georgia on My Mind" and "I Can't Stop Loving You".
Ray started to lose his sight at the age of four or five, and was completely blind by the age of seven, apparently resulting from glaucoma.
Among friends and fellow musicians he preferred being called "Brother Ray" but was often referred to as "The Genius".
Died:June 10, 2004 (aged 73) Cause of Death: Liver disease
Married Life
1951-07-31 American musician Ray Charles (20) weds Eileen Williams in Georgia; divorce in 1952
1955-04-05 American musician Ray Charles (24) weds Della Beatrice Howard
Historical Events
1960-11-14 Ray Charles' single "Georgia On My Mind" reaches #1
1961-04-12 3rd Grammy Awards: Theme From a Summer Place, Ray Charles wins 4
1962-06-02 Ray Charles' cover of Don Gibson's "I Can't Stop Loving You", from his influential crossover album "Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music" hits #1 on Billboard
1979-04-24 US State of Georgia designates Ray Charles' rendition of "Georgia On My Mind" (written by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell) as official state song
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