Ray Charles: Musician

by Hubbard-Brown, Janet

• ISBN13: 9781604130010
• ISBN10: 1604130016
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-06-30
• Publisher: Facts on File

Summary

Pioneering musician Ray Charles was one of the first performers of soul music-a combination of gospel, jazz, country, and rhythm and blues. Born into poverty, Charles was 7 years old when he went blind and 13 when his mother died. He quit school and set out to tour the country, making music and a little bit of money wherever he could. As his talents gained recognition, he signed a contract with a major record label and started to record hit songs. Charles soon became known in the music industry for his strong business acumen and remarkable talent for innovation in music. Over the course of his 58-year career, Charles overcame racism and drug addiction to play 10,000 concerts and win 12 Grammy Awards. He also became a source of inspiration for generations to come. Book jacket.

Table of Contents

Two Crossover Songs	p. 1
A Tragic Beginning	p. 8
On the Road, Age 16	p. 20
Breakthrough	p. 32
Song by Song	p. 42
Fame	p. 54
The Roller Coaster Years	p. 68
Learning to Diversify	p. 79
Legacy	p. 93
Chronology	p. 99
Further Reading	p. 101
Index	p. 103
About the Author	p. 111
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

Excerpts

Pioneering musician Ray Charles was one of the first performers of soul music—a combination of gospel, jazz, country, and rhythm and blues. Born into poverty to a single mother, he overcame blindness, racism, and the deaths of his brother and mother to play 10,000 concerts and win 12 Grammy Awards over a 58-year career.