Ray Charles (musician, born 1918)

American musician, conductor and arranger (1918–2015)

Charles Raymond Offenberg (September 13, 1918 – April 6, 2015), better known as Ray Charles, was an American singer, songwriter, musician, conductor, and vocal arranger. He was best known as the organizer and leader of the Ray Charles Singers (who were featured on Perry Como's television series, radio shows, and records for 35 years[1][2]).

Ray Charles
Charles on June 3, 1975
Charles on June 3, 1975
Background information
Birth nameCharles Raymond Offenberg
Also known asRay Charles
Born(1918-09-13)September 13, 1918
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedApril 6, 2015(2015-04-06) (aged 96)
Beverly Hills, California, U.S.
Years active1942–2015
LabelsEssex
MGM
Decca
Command
Atlantic Records

On April 6, 2015, Charles died in Beverly Hills, California of natural causes at the age of 96.[3]

References

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  1. FMS: Feature ASMAC salutes Lalo Schifrin and "the other" Ray Charles
  2. Grudens, Richard, ed. (1986), The Italian Crooners Bedside Companion, Celebrity Profiles Publishing, pp. 63–69, ISBN 0-9763877-0-0, retrieved 14 April 2010
  3. "Ray Charles, Leader of Ray Charles Singers, Who Backed Perry Como, Dies at 96". 7 April 2015.