Ray Charles

USA, 1947–2004

The Father of Soul. His synthesis of gospel fervour and R&B rhythm — born out of his blindness, his piano mastery and an extraordinary voice — reshaped American popular music.

Influenced by

• Nat King Cole

Influenced

• Toots and the Maytals
• Janis Joplin
• The Zombies
• Small Faces
• Traffic
• Procol Harum
• The Spencer Davis Group
• The Rascals
• Sly and the Family Stone
• Stevie Wonder
• Aretha Franklin
• Otis Redding
• Booker T. & the M.G.'s
• The Animals
• Jerry Lee Lewis
• Leon Russell
• Elton John
• Van Morrison
• Bobby Darin
• The Righteous Brothers
• Bill Withers
• Billy Joel
• Bobby Womack
• Randy Newman