Ray Charles Robinson, for that, was the artist's real name, was born on September 23, 1930 in Albany, Georgia. ¹⁾

He changed his name to avoid being confused with Ray Robinson a famous boxer. ²⁾

Ray Charles's brother George drowned in their mother's laundry tub when he was four years old. ³⁾

He lost sight in both eyes when he was seven years old. ⁴⁾

In April 1949, he debuted on the charts with the song “Confessin' Blues”. ⁵⁾