Difficult start

Ray Charles was raised by his single mother in the segregated South of the United States. Charles had a tough childhood; he lost his brother when he was five and his mother at 15.

As well as this, he became blind at age seven. Luckily he had been brought up to be very independent and could do most things himself. He attended the Saint Augustine School for the Blind in Florida where his passion for music grew, particularly after he learnt to play the piano.

Professional musician

He started singing professionally at 16. He formed his own band, the McSon Trio, and started producing his own music. He was known to be strong-willed and a go-getter, who often moved from one city to the other, if it offered better prospects for him.

From 1954, he mixed different genres of music and rose to fame, meaning he was able to play in venues which African-Americans were not normally allowed in. His most famous song, “Georgia on My Mind”, was made the state official anthem after being released in 1959.

He believed in the power of music to make life better, and also in education. He donated to charity foundations which helped to provide education to disadvantaged people in society, and also to nurture new musical talent.