“I was born with music inside me. That's the only explanation I know of," Ray Charles wrote in his 1978 autobiography, Brother Ray. "Music was one of my parts...like my blood... Like my blood. It was a force already with me when I arrived on the scene. It was a necessity for me, like food or water.” As one of the most original American recording artists to emerge in the 20th century, Charles’ music got into the blood of generations of admirers as well. His signature soul and R&B sounds—in such definitive Charles hits as "Georgia on My Mind," "You Don't Know Me," "Hit the Road Jack," "Unchain
Started playing the piano at the age of 3; began losing his sight about 5 years old and by the time he was 7, he was totally blind
1937
Entered the St. Augustine School for the Deaf and Blind as a charity student, studied classical piano and clarinet, and learned to read and write music in Braille
1945
Left school at the age of 15, and joined dance bands in Florida
1947
Formed the McSon Trio with two other musicians, a group modeled on the Nat King Cole jazz group; signed with the Swingtime label, and recorded their first single, "Confession Blues," which Charles wrote
c. 1951
The McSon Trio released several singles including "Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand," which hit the U.S. R&B chart
