In 2000, at the House of Blues in Hollywood, The Blues Foundation honored Ray Charles (1930–2004) as the musician most responsible for developing soul music. Born Ray Charles Robinson in Albany, Georgia, he overcame poverty and the loss of his sight at seven to change the sound of American music with fearless heart and boundless craft.

“I never wanted to be famous. I only wanted to be great,” he said. Over six decades, Brother Ray recorded nearly a hundred albums, including classics like Georgia on My Mind, I’ve Got a Woman, and Unchain My Heart—songs that carried gospel fire into blues and R&B, lifting listeners with them.

“It’s the music,” Charles said. “Without the music there is nothing.” Church hymns, blues laments, swing, and joy all found a home in his voice and hands. As Billy Joel put it, “Pain, happiness, soul, blues, and joy—he can do so many things with that sound.”

“My voice is like a house,” Charles explained. “I’m keeping up. You don’t just build a house and do nothing else to it. You’re always washing the windows, painting, adding a room.” Honors followed: the first-ever Grammy “Heroes” Award (2002) and an honorary “Dr.” from Albany State University. Singer, composer, arranger, sax player, pianist—his influence is immeasurable.

In every note, Ray Charles showed us that music is the heart’s soul, transforming struggle and joy into pure love.