Ray Charles - History Timelines

Name	Ray Charles Robinson (Ray Charles)
Born	September 23, 1930
Died	June 10, 2004
Was born in	Albany, Georgia, USA
Spouses	Eileen Williams (1951-1952), Della Beatrice Howard Robinson (1955-1977)
Children	Numerous children from various relationships
Occupation	Musician, singer, songwriter, pianist, composer, bandleader
Known for	Pioneering soul music by blending rhythm and blues, gospel, and jazz, distinctive vocal style, “The Genius”
Awards	Multiple Grammy Awards, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Kennedy Center Honors, National Medal of Arts, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
Famous quotes	“Music is powerful. As people listen to music, they can be affected. They can be changed.”

Ray Charles – Life milestones

Years	Age	Events
1930	0	Born in Albany, Georgia on September 23.
1937	7	Loses sight due to glaucoma.
1937-1945	7	Attends Florida School for the Blind, learns to play the piano.
1945	15	Leaves school to pursue music career.
1947	17	Moves to Seattle, forms Ray Charles Trio.
1948	18	Records first single, “Confession Blues.”
1950	20	Signs with Atlantic Records.
1951	21	Marries Eileen Williams.
1952	22	Releases “Mess Around.”
1953	23	Son Ray Charles Robinson Jr. born.
1954	24	Releases “I Got a Woman.”
1955	25	Divorces Eileen Williams; marries Grace May Wilburn.
1955	25	Daughter Raynoma “Ray” Robinson born.
1959	29	Releases “What’d I Say.”
1960	30	Divorces Grace May Wilburn.
1961	31	Marries Bettye Jean Newsome.
1962	32	Releases “Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music.”
1963	33	Daughter Evelyn Robinson born.
1964	34	Son David Robinson born.
1965	35	Daughter Cynthia Robinson born.
1966	36	Releases “The Genius of Ray Charles,” wins Grammy.
1967	37	Releases “In the Heat of the Night.”
1970	40	Arrested for heroin possession, serves jail time.
1972	42	Releases “A Message from the People.”
1977	47	Divorces Bettye Jean Newsome; marries Norma Jean Sanders.
1978	48	Releases “True to Life.”
1979	49	Divorces Norma Jean Sanders.
1980	50	Marries Mary Ann Mullen.
1986	56	Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; receives Kennedy Center Honors.
1989	59	Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from Grammys.
1993	63	Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom.
2004	74	Dies in Beverly Hills, California on June 10.