Music Break: African American Music Appreciation Month (extended)

Ray Charles

Fast Facts:

Ray Charles was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm & blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings for 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. 

During his tenure with ABC, Charles became one of the first African-American musicians to be given artistic control by a mainstream record company. 

It hit number one for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, beginning on Monday, October 9, 1961.  

The song was also number one on the R&B Sides chart for five weeks, becoming Ray Charles' sixth number-one on that chart.  

The song is ranked #377 on the Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.