Biography
American Ray Charles is a pianist, a vocalist and the author of songs in jazz style, blues, rock and roll and country, which is gossiping these styles into a single whole. The genius delivered Charles in one row with the best musicians of the twentieth century and turned into one of the symbols of American culture. Rolling Stone magazine called his name in a tenth place in the "List of Immortal" and on the second - in the hundreds of the best vocalists of all time.Childhood and youth
Ray Charles Robinson was born on September 23, 1930 in the family of archer and Bailey Robinsons. But soon the parents parted, and Areta and sons moved from Georgia to South Florida, to the tiny village of Greenville. There she brought up sons, trying to get out of irreversible poverty. When Ray was five years old, his younger brother George drowned. The elder brother could not save him.
After this tragedy, Ray began to lose sight and seven years ease. With this it was necessary to learn to live, and the boy was sent to the boarding school. There Ray has developed his musical abilities. He sang in the choir, learned to play piano, organ, saxophone, thrombone and clarinet. After the death of the parents, the blind young man had to make his way into life on their own. In seventeen, Ray Robinson created the Macson Trio group. In 1949, for the first time his song became a hit.
Music
In the 50s, the official pseudonym musician was born. The last name was thrown away to avoid confusion with the boxer of Ray Robinson. Ray Charles is looking for its style, seeking the unique sound of compositions. Experimental with voice, including in the songs of wheezing, screams and other sounds that enhance the emotional color of words.
In 1955, his single in the style of Soul I Got A Woman rose to the highest positions in R & B Charts. At this time, Ray sang states and blues ballads. He performed the traditional "black" music by opening her beauty to everyone.
The first sign song, written by Raem, - What'D I Say - became a classic rock and roll. Ray collaborated with large orchestras, jazzmen, experimented from Country. The result was the awarded by Him "Grammy". The powerful and bulk expressive voice of the vocalist impressed musical critics and ordinary listeners.
By the beginning of the 60s, the singer earned so much money that it was able not only to undergo a complete medical examination at eminent doctors, but also to acquire a luxurious mansion in the "Golden Triangle" Beverly Hills. However, I could not return at least partially vision.
Having received freedom of creativity, the singer expanded working together with other musicians. The song Hit The Road Jack Ray performed a duet with Margin Hendrix. New sound for two weeks made a composition on top of popularity. Glory was so great that it was sued to Russia: the Soviet jazz-Banda included her in the repertoire.
In the same period, Ray's "Business card" was recorded, Georgia ON MY MIND. Initially, the author of the song Hog Carmaich devoted her to a girl with this name. But the performer made a song hit, and the people of Georgia's impressed by his vocals declared her by their anthem.
After the 70s, the musician performed a lot, paying more attention to the compositions of the country direction. In recent decades, Ray Charles included in his melodies the sound of electronic tools. Slotted into a single whole music of different peoples that have become the US century to the US population. The classic song America The Beautiful was born again due to the execution of the Ray and the arrangement in the style of Lord / Rhythm-H-blues.
Personal life
The musician loved women, and nine of them became the mothers of his children. But only two women Ray concluded the official alliance: with Eilein Williams (July 31, 1951) and Dela Beatris Howard Robinson (April 5, 1955). The first marriage collapsed in a year, the second Union lasted 22 years, the spouses brought up three sons: David, Ray Charles and Roverend Robinsons.
In addition to them, Ray admitted nine extramarital children. Before completing the life path, the father issued every child to a million dollars. The last companion of the musician was the norm of Pinell.
Death
The last two years of the life of Ray Charles struggled with oncology. He was severely restored after a surgical operation. Nevertheless, even having lost opportunities to walk, the musician traveled daily at his own RPM recording studio, where he worked on the album Genius Loves Company. Died on June 10, 2004 at home. He was buried at the Inglwood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, which is in California.
In the fall in Los Angeles, the concert of the memory of Ray Charles collected in one hall twenty thousand spectators and famous musicians who performed his songs that became cult.
The biography of the singer is reflected in the Ray film, released in October of the same year. The plot served as autobiography "Brother Ray", written in 1978. During the work, the film crew consulted with Charles. The main role was starred by Jamie Fox, awarded for her "Oscar". Sometimes the photo of the actor in this role is confused with photos of the musician.
The second posthumous album included new work with modern pop and soul stars. To record the third posthumous album used to achieve computer sound processing. The renovated vocal records of the singer managed to combine with melodies performed by the County Bassa orchestra.
Modern technologies allow the singer to communicate with the listener even after a decade after leaving life. Concord Records continues to work with the old Rai records, returning to the fans of his composition in a new sound.
Discography
- 1956 - The Great Ray Charles
- 1960 - Basin Street Blues
- 1961 - Modern Sounds in Country & Western Music
- 1962 - Hit The Road Jack
- 1963 - Ingredients in a Recipe for Soul
- 1965 - Country & Western Meets Rhythm & Blues
- 1972 - A Message From The People
- 2000 - Sittin 'On Top Of The World
- 2004 - Genius Loves Company
- 2005 - Genius & Friends
- 2005 - Genius Remixed
- 2006 - Ray Sings, Basie Swings
- 2009 - Genius The Ultimate Ray Charles
- 2010 - Rare Genius: The Undiscovered Masters
- 2012 - EXTRAORDINARY RAY CHARLES