June 10
On this day in music, June 10, 2004, singer, songwriter, and pianist Ray Charles died at the age of 73. One of the most influential artists of all time, Charles (also known as “The Genius”) pioneered the sound of soul music with his blend of R&B, jazz, blues, and gospel. In the 50s and 60s, Charles broke several glass ceilings as a Black artist, as he found crossover success on the pop charts and fought successfully to gain artistic control over his recordings. A Kennedy Center Honoree and an inaugural inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Charles won 18 Grammys (including a Lifetime Achievement Award and five posthumous awards) and scored countless Top 40 hits, including his signature chart-topper, “Georgia on My Mind.”