United States, 39.76, -98.51930/2004Ray Charles developed his signature sound of expressive piano playing and rough vocals during the 1950s. The contrasting vocals of the Raeletts, the female backup singers who joined the band in 1957, were another important hallmark of his style.Photograph of musician Ray Charles in a recording studio. Recording equipment sits behind him. He wears dark glasses and smiles.As a performer and recording artist in the late 1950s and early 1960s, Ray Charles pioneered a new style of music that became known as "soul," a blend of gospel music, blues, and jazz that brought him worldwide fame. Over the next four decades his unique voice, passionate style of playing the piano, and tireless showmanship made him a legendary figure in the world of entertainment.image/jpeghttp://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/arts-culture/ray-charles-1930-2004Forms part of: New Georgia Encyclopediahttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/arts-culture/ray-charles-1930-2004Forms part of: New Georgia EncyclopediaGeorgia Music Hall of Fame CollectionMusicians--United StatesAfrican American musiciansSingers--United StatesAfrican American singersSoul music--United StatesSoul musicians--United StatesAfrican Americans--MusicMen--United StatesAfrican American menEntertainers--United StatesAfrican American entertainersPianists--United StatesSound recording industry--United StatesSound studios--United StatesCharles, Ray, 1930-2004Ray CharlesStillImage