St. Petersburg Times

1930-2004

One of the most influential and beloved figures in American music over the past half-century is dead at 73.

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Ray Charles basks in the welcome accorded him by an overflow crowd during a jazz festival at the Hatch Shell on Boston's Esplanade June 13, 1999.

[AP photo]

Music legend Ray Charles, center, laughs as President Reagan and Nancy Reagan joined him at a salute to country music at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., on March 16, 1983. [AP photo]		Related links: Hear Ray Charles sing St. Pete Florida Blues from our special report The Deuces. Hear Ray Charles sing Georgia On My Mind, Hit the Road Jack and America, The Beautiful [an error occurred while processing this directive] Career highlights 1949: Makes first single, Confession Blues, in Seattle credited to the Maxin Trio. 1951: First top 10 R&B hit: Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand 1954: I Got a Woman 1959: First top 10 pop hit: What'd I Say 1960: Georgia on My Mind wins him first of a dozen Grammy awards 1961: Hit the Road Jack 1962: I Can't Stop Loving You and You Don't Know Me 1963: Busted 1966: Cryin' Time 1978: Autobiography, Brother Ray, is a bestseller 1979: His version of Georgia on My Mind is named Georgia's official state song 1980: Charles is featured in the movie, The Blues Brothers 1983: Friendship, an album of duets with 10 country stars, including George Jones and Willie Nelson, reaches country Top 10. 1984: Sings America the Beautiful at the Republican National Convention 1986: Among first inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; is a Kennedy Center Honors recipient 1988: Wins Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys. 1993: Wins final Grammy, for A Song for You. 2001: Sings America the Beautiful at Super Bowl XXXV at Raymond James Stadium 2004: His last CD, a series of duets with musicians including Elton John, is due out in August. A feature film, Brother Ray, starring Jamie Foxx, is tentatively scheduled for release in October. - Sources: Times wires, raycharles.com, allmusic.com
Ray Charles performs at the Bayfront Center in St. Petersburg in April 1975. Charles frequently performed in the Tampa Bay area throughout his career. [Times files: 1975]
Ray Charles sings "Oh What a Beautiful Morning" in this March 3, 1996, photo taken in Pasadena, Calif. during the 25th annual Easter Seal fundraiser event. [AP photo]
During the 2001 Super Bowl at Raymond James Stadium, fans in the south end zone watch Ray Charles sing "America the Beautiful" as Charles's image is shown on the big screen behind them. [Times files: 2001]
Young Ray Charles, in an undated Atlantic Records handout photo.