Includes bibliographical references (p. 434-436), discography (p. 437-442), and index.

Youth -- Apprentice -- The 1950s: the Atlantic years -- The 1960s: the ABC years -- The 1970s: the invisible years -- The 1980s: the long comeback -- The 1990s: the grand master.

"An innovator who embraces R & B, gospel, country, and pop, Ray Charles has been a force on the American musical scene for over 5 decades - with good reason. An iconic figure, his story presents a triumph over physical limitation, adversity, and racism. It is a true American tale."

Ray Charles: Man and Music begins with Charles's impoverished childhood in Greenville, Florida, where tragedy struck early when the young Charles went blind at age 6 and was orphaned at age 14. Driven by his enormous talent and determination, Charles landed work playing some of the toughest juke joints in the state, fought heroin addiction, and finally landed a recording contract with Atlantic Records. Unlike other R & B singers, Charles took control of his career from its earliest days, moving on from his gospel-soul stylings of the mid-'50s to break through musical barriers, recording country music, pure jazz, and then the powerful pop hits of the '60s.