Ray Charles — Timeline
Key moments in the life of Ray Charles.
1930
Born Ray Charles Robinson on September 23 in Albany, Georgia
1937
Began losing his vision; completely blind by age seven
1945
Left home at age 15 to pursue a music career in Seattle, Washington
1952
Signed with Atlantic Records, marking the beginning of his most productive recording period
1954
Released 'I've Got a Woman,' one of his early hit singles
1959
Released album 'The Genius of Ray Charles,' establishing himself as a major artist
1960
Released 'Georgia on My Mind,' which became his signature song and a major commercial success
1961
Won Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance; released album 'Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music'
1979
Received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
2004
Died on June 10 in Beverly Hills, California, at age 73