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The career of Ray Charles spanned almost six decades and as many musical genres.

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Ray Charles was a Grammy-winning crooner who blended gospel and blues in such crowd-pleasers as "What I'd Say" and "Georgia on My Mind".

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From blues to jazz, rock n' roll to gospel, Ray Charles appealed to many audiences - including one-time First Lady, Nancy Reagan.

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Ray Charles' distinctive, emotionally-charged style made him one of the most influential musicians of his time.

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Great friends: Ray Charles met Quincy Jones in Seattle in the 1940s and they became lifelong collaborators.

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He was renowned for a distinctive rocking motion when he sang or played the piano.

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"I was born with the music inside me" - Ray Charles died at the age of 73 surrounded by friends and family and with his manager by his side.