Ray Charles Robinson, known professionally as Ray Charles, was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist born in 1930. Widely celebrated as one of the most influential musicians of all time, he earned the nickname "The Genius" for his groundbreaking work in music. Despite losing his sight as a child, Charles became a pioneer of soul in the 1950s by blending blues, jazz, gospel, and rhythm and blues, especially during his years with Atlantic Records. In the 1960s, Charles helped bridge country, R and B, and pop music with crossover hits on ABC Records, notably with his Modern Sounds albums. His rendition of "Georgia on My Mind" became a signature song and one of his three chart-topping singles on the Billboard Hot 100. Charles was among the first black artists to secure artistic control from a major label. Influenced by artists like Nat King Cole and Art Tatum, Charles shaped the sound of modern music and maintained lasting collaborations, including with Quincy Jones. Honored with 17 Grammy Awards, the Kennedy Center Honors, the National Medal of Arts, and induction into the Rock and Roll and Country Music Halls of Fame, Ray Charles’ legacy as a musical innovator and cultural icon endures across generations.