Ray Charles 1959 -

1959 was the definitive turning point in Ray Charles ’s career, transforming him from a successful R&B singer into "The Genius"—a global icon who redefined American music. This single year saw the release of his most influential hit, a radical shift in his musical direction, and a high-stakes business move that gave him unprecedented creative control.

The hallmark of was duality. He was a man caught between the church piano of his youth and the whiskey-soaked blues of the chitlin' circuit. In 1959, he stopped choosing between them. ray charles 1959