Blessed with one of the 20th century's most advanced musical minds, Charles became an American cultural icon decades ago.

Among his memorable hits are "What'd I Say," "I Got A Woman," "Georgia," "Born To Lose," "Hit the Road Jack" and "I Can't Stop Loving You." He also gave the Ray Charles touch to such popular fare as the Beatles' "Eleanor Rugby" and "Yesterday."

Among the singer's most moving and enduring musical recordings is his oft-played rendition of "America The Beautiful."

Charles appeared in movies, such as "The Blues Brothers," and on television, and starred in commercials for Pepsi and California Raisins, among numerous others.

After going blind from glaucoma at the age of seven, Charles was sent to the St. Augustine, Fla., School for the deaf and blind, where he developed his enormous musical gift.

The young pianist eventually made his way to Seattle, Wash., performing as a solo act, first modeling himself after Nat "King" Cole.

While in Seattle, he met a young Quincy Jones and they became lifelong friends.
In the late 1940s, he began establishing a name for himself in clubs around the northwest, evolving his own music and singing style, which later included the famous back up singers, "The Raelettes."

While in Seattle, he dropped the "Robinson" from his name to avoid confusion with the legendary boxer.

A recording career began in earnest in 1949 and Charles soon started a musical experiment, which included mixing genres.

The experiments manifested themselves in 1955 with the successful release of "I Got a Woman." It's reported that in devising the song, Charles reworded the gospel tune, "Jesus is all the World to Me," adding deep church inflections to the secular rhythms of the nightclubs. "I Got A Woman" is popularly credited as the first true "soul" record.

The renowned entertainer, who had not missed a tour in 53 consecutive years of concert travels, had cancelled his remaining 2003 tour, beginning last August.
"It breaks my heart to withdraw from these shows," he said at the time.
"All my life, I've been touring and performing. It's what I do. But the doctors insist I stay put and mend for a while, so I'll heed their advice."

While remaining in Los Angeles, Charles continued a light work load at his studios and offices, overseeing production of new releases for his own record label, Crossover Records, mixing a long-planned gospel CD and beginning work on the duets album.

A feature film based on his life story, "Unchain My Heart, The Ray Charles Story," starring Jamie Foxx as the entertainer, completed principal filming early last summer.

Charles' last public performance of his career was on July 20, 2003, in Alexandria, VA.

"Ray Charles was a true original, a musical genius and a friend and brother to me," said Adams, the entertainer's longtime manager and business partner.
"He pioneered a new style and opened the door for many young performers to follow. Some of his biggest fans were the young music stars of today, who loved and admired his talent and independent spirit."