The musical legend Ray Charles was an average Christian boy from Albany, Georgia, until his sight vanished at the age of five. By seven, he was completely blind. Nonetheless, Charles succeeded as one of the best soul musicians of the 1950’s.
On this day, September 11th, in 1952, Ray Charles released his first hit record Mess Around. Ahmet Ertugen, the corporate director at the time, signed Charles to Atlantic records and immediately, Charles was making hit singles with his signature look of black designer sunglasses. His songs topped chart after chart and led him to national prominence.
Charles incorporated jazz, blues, and gospel rhythms in his songs. His approach to music was an aiding force in the fight for the integration of country and pop music as a mainstream genre. He made history as the first African American to have complete creative control over his music under a corporate record label.