 Ray Charles, 1930 – 2004
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BUENA PARK, CA (June 11, 2004) — Yamaha Corporation of America joins the world music community in sadness at the passing of Ray Charles, one of America's most beloved entertainers, on June 10 at age 73.
Blind by age seven and orphaned at fifteen, Charles built the foundation for a career that defied musical and racial definitions. In the 1950s, he became a pioneer of what would be called "soul" music, a genre that brought the fervor and dynamics of gospel to secular subjects. The gifted pianist, saxophonist and singer eventually crossed the lines of R & B, Rock & Roll, Gospel, Jazz and County & Western with classic hits that include "Hallelujah I Love Her So," "I Can't Stop Loving You," "Georgia on My Mind" and "America the Beautiful."
Charles won 12 GRAMMY® awards and recorded more than 60 albums. Among his numerous awards were the Presidential Medal for the Arts, the Kennedy Center Honors and the Polar Music Award. Charles was also an International Jazz Hall of Fame and Grammy Hall of Fame inductee, and received three honorary doctoral degrees. In 1985, he played a major role in the recording of USA for Africa's "We Are the World" single.
As a longtime Yamaha artist, Charles was active in many Yamaha-sponsored events, including appearances as a featured performer in 2000's "Yamaha NAMM Millennium Concert: A Tribute to Michael McDonald" and "The 2003 NAMM Concert Honoring
Sir Elton John," and was also a participant in the Sir Charles Blues Lab "Blues Off 2002" for young songwriters.
"Ray Charles was more than a musician," stated Chris Gero, corporate director, Yamaha Artist Affairs and Artist Events. "He was truly a legend and a real American musical treasure whose influence will reach well beyond his amazing career."
Charles had recently recorded an album of duets with performers that include
Norah Jones, B.B. King, Willie Nelson,
Michael McDonald and James Taylor that is planned for an August release. He is survived by 12 children, 20 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
