Ray Charles

Singer The impact that Ray Charles has had on American culture is nearly indescribable. Although unable to see, he was successful in making his artistic visions come to life by fusing the sounds of blues, gospel and R&B, which made him one of the leading soul artists during the ‘50s. The legendary musician is recognized for being a pillar in the industry, credited with making strides in desegregating musical genres and being one of the first Black Americans to be granted control over his artistry by a major label. Over the course of his career, which spanned five decades, he recorded over 60 albums and sold millions of records worldwide. His version of “Georgia on My Mind” became the official song of his home state. The late legend was honored in the lauded film Ray, where Jamie Foxx won Best Actor at the 2005 Academy Awards for his portrayal of Charles.