Ray Charles
Birthday: 1930-09-23
Place of Birth: Albany, Georgia USA
Synopsis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Ray Charles Robinson (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004), better known by his shortened stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records. He also helped racially integrate country and pop music during the 1960s with his crossover success on ABC Records, most notably with his Modern Sounds albums. While with ABC, Charles became one of the first African-American musicians to be given artistic control by a mainstream record company. Frank Sinatra called Charles “the only true genius in show business.”
Rolling Stone ranked Charles number 10 on their list of "100 Greatest Artists of All Time" in 2004, and number two on their November 2008 list of "100 Greatest Singers of All Time". In honoring Charles, Billy Joel noted: "This may sound like sacrilege, but I think Ray Charles was more important than Elvis Presley. I don't know if Ray was the architect of rock & roll, but he was certainly the first guy to do a lot of things . . . Who the hell ever put so many styles together and made it work?"
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Acting
Face of Unity
as Self
Face Of Unity is the definitive Nelson Mandela documentary feature and first retrospective to be released since the president's death in late 2013. It includes a never before seen speech where Mandela outlines the groundwork for peace and reconciliation to future generations. The piece also includes tributes to Nelson Mandela from President Barack Obama, Sam Jackson, Jack Nicklaus, George Lucas, Ray Charles, Morgan Freeman, and two former Australian Prime Ministers, among others.
Ray Charles: Live At Montreux
as Self
The unforgettable Ray Charles swings and sings with the best of them in this finger-snapping live performance at the 1997 Montreux Jazz Festival. The legend shows off his prodigious talents and wows the audience with such tunes as "I Don't Know," "Georgia on My Mind," "Mississippi Mud," "Busted," "You Made Me Love You," "Angelina," "Song for You," "Do It to Me Slow," "Shadows of My Mind," "People Will Say We're in Love" and more.
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Piano Blues
as Self
Director — and piano player — Clint Eastwood explores his life-long passion for piano blues, using a treasure trove of rare historical footage in addition to interviews and performances by such living legends as Pinetop Perkins and Jay McShann, as well as Dave Brubeck and Marcia Ball.
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Willie Nelson & Friends: Live and Kickin'
as Self
Country music legend and American icon Willie Nelson is joined on stage by some of the biggest names in music for a once-in-a-lifetime concert event to celebrate his 70th birthday.
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Ray Charles - In Concert
as Himself
The name Ray Charles stands for superstar worldwide. He is an icon in the music world, has a star on Hollywood Boulevard's Walk of Fame, a bronze bust enshrined in the Playboy Hall of Fame, and has received fifteen Grammys, the Kennedy Center Honor, and three National Medals of Arts. In his fifty years in the music world, Ray Charles has earned the title "The Legendary Genius of Soul." In this 1999 benefit concert for the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind from the James L. Knight center in Miami, Florida, Ray Charles performs such classics as I Got A Woman, Georgia On My Mind, and his moving rendition of America, The Beautiful. In addition, Charles delights the audience with a saxophone solo and a duet with special guest and Grammy Award-winning jazz vocalist Diane Schuur.
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Blue's Big Musical Movie
as G-Clef (voice)
Get ready for lots of musical fun in this first full-length movie based on the popular Nick Jr. TV series for preschoolers. Just as friendly cartoon pup Blue and her friends are ready for their big backyard music show, Tickety losers her voice... which means Blue needs a new singing partner! Where will she find one? Sit in your thinking chair, play along and see.
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The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson
as Self
While the Muppets prepare a tribute to the late Jim Henson, they learn about the life and career of the renowned puppeteer/film maker.
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We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song
as Self
We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song is a documentary which examines how the song was written, how producer Quincy Jones and songwriters Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie persuaded some of the most popular performers in America to donate their services to the project, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at the marathon recording session that produced the single.
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The Blues Brothers
as Ray
Jake Blues, just released from prison, puts his old band back together to save the Catholic home where he and his brother Elwood were raised.
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The Big T.N.T. Show
as Self
Live performances by some of the top rock-and-roll acts of the mid 60s. Includes Ray Charles, The Byrds, Joan Baez, Ike and Tina Turner, Donovan, The Lovin' Spoonful, and several more.
