It was even honored among the 250 essential American songs of the past 250 years.

A new biopic campaign, deluxe reissues, and museum expansions are putting Ray Charles back at the center of American music in 2026. Two decades after his passing, Ray Charles is quietly entering a new ...

When people study the history of modern music, they eventually realize that understanding Charles means understanding the evolution of soul, rhythm and blues, gospel, jazz, and even pop music itself.