What song made Ray Charles famous?

Ray Charles was an American singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer known for his unique fusion of gospel, blues, and rhythm and blues. He was born in Albany, Georgia, in 1930, and raised in Florida. Charles was blind from the age of 7 due to glaucoma, but this did not stop him from pursuing his love of music.

Charles began his music career in the 1940s, playing in small bands in the southern United States. He moved to Seattle in the early 1950s and signed with Atlantic Records, where he recorded some of his most famous songs, including “What’d I Say,” “Georgia on My Mind,” and “Hit the Road Jack.” Charles’s music was groundbreaking for its time, blending genres and pushing boundaries in a segregated industry.

Despite his blindness, Charles was a prolific songwriter and composer, and he continued to perform and record music throughout his career. He was also a philanthropist, supporting various causes, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind.

Ray Charles died on June 10, 2004, at the age of 73. He left behind a legacy of music that continues to inspire and influence artists today. Some of his most famous songs include “What’d I Say,” “Georgia on My Mind,” “Hit the Road Jack,” “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” and “You Don’t Know Me.”

In addition to his music, Charles’s life and career have been the subject of books, movies, and documentaries. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 and received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including 17 Grammy Awards.

Overall, Ray Charles was a legendary musician and icon who overcame his disability to leave an indelible mark on the world of music. His contributions to American music will be celebrated and remembered for generations to come.

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