This episode outlines the life and professional journey of Ray Charles, a legendary American musician who integrated blues, gospel, and jazz to pioneer the soul genre. It chronicles his upbringing in Georgia and Florida, where he lost his sight at a young age and faced significant personal hardships before finding success in Seattle and Los Angeles. The document details his historic tenure at Atlantic Records and his transition to ABC-Paramount, where he gained unprecedented artistic control as a Black artist and released groundbreaking country-pop crossover albums. Beyond his seventeen Grammy Awards and induction into various Halls of Fame, the source discusses his complex personal life, including his struggles with heroin addiction and his numerous children. It also highlights his humanitarian efforts through the Ray Charles Foundation and his impactful involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. The comprehensive biography concludes with his later collaborations, his death in 2004, and his enduring influence on global music culture.