Crate Diggers: Chaka Khan
Showing posts with label Chaka Khan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chaka Khan. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Anniversary of Ray Charles' Death

“Love is a special word, and I use it only when I mean it. You say the word too much and it becomes cheap” - Ray Charles
(Ray Charles)
Ray Charles was born as Ray Robinson on September 23rd, 1930 in Albany, Georgia, USA. As a baby Robinson moved to Greenville, FL. Charles was raised by his biological mother. At age 3 Robinson learned how to play piano. At age 4 he started to lose his sight. When he was 5 he witnessed his younger brother drown. At age 7 Robinson completely lost his sight. In 1937 Robinson attended school at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind in St. Augustine, FL. When Robinson was 14 his mother died. In 1945 Robinson moved to Jacksonville, FL. At age 16 he moved to Orlando, FL. In 1947 he moved to Tampa, FL. He got a job being apart of 2 bands. In 1948 he moved to Seattle, WA. He then met Quincy Jones.
(Robinson in 1948)
In 1949 he had his 1st national hit "Confession Blues”. In 1950 he moved to Los Angeles, CA. In 1951 he started going by “Ray Charles”. In 1952 he signed to Atlantic records.
(Charles in 1952)
In 1953 he released “Mess Around”. In 1954 he had hits with "It Should Have Been Me" and "Don't You Know" which became his first chart success for Atlantic. He also released “I Got a Woman”. It reached No. 2 on the R&B charts. In 1955 he had hits "This Little Girl of Mine" and "A Fool for You”.
(Charles in 1955)
In 1956 Charles recruited a young all female singing group named the Cookies, and reshaped them as The Raelettes. In 1959 Charles reached the Billboard Top Ten with "What'd I Say”. He then signed to ABC Paramount Records. In 1960 he released  “Genius + Soul = Jazz”. He also released the single “Georgia on my Mind”. He then received 4 Grammy awards. He then released the hit song “Hit the Road Jack”.
(Charles in 1960)
In 1961 Charles had expanded his small road ensemble to a full scale big band. Also in 1961 Charles faced a near death experience when the pilot of his plane lost visibility, as snow and his failure to use defroster caused the windshield of the plane to become completely covered in ice. In 1962 he founded his own record label Tangerine Records. In 1963 he had major pop hits with "Busted" and “Take These Chains From My Heart”. In 1965 Charles was arrested for possession of heroin.
(Charles in 1965)
He went to rehab to avoid jail. In 1966 he released "I Don't Need No Doctor" and "Let's Go Get Stoned”. In 1967 he released “Here We Go Again”. In 1972 he released “America the Beautiful”.
(Charles in 1972)
In 1974 he signed to his own label Crossover records. In 1977 he signed to Atlantic records again. Also in 1977 he hosted “Saturday Night Live”.
(Charles in 1977)
In 1979 Charles’ song “Georgia on my Mind” was proclaimed the state song of Georgia. In 1980 he appeared in the movie The Blues Brothers.
(Charles in The Blues Brothers (1980))
In 1981 Charles was criticized for performing at South Africa's Sun City resort during an international boycott of its apartheid policy. In 1983 Charles signed with Columbia records. In 1985 he was apart of the song “We Are the World”.
(Charles (Center) with Stevie Wonder (Left) and Michael Jackson (Right))
Also in 1985 he performed at Ronald Reagan’s inauguration. In 1990 Charles had a duet with Chaka Khan on the song “I’ll be Good to You”.
(Charles (Right) with Chaka Khan (Left))
In 1993 he released the album “My World”. Also in 1993 he performed at Bill Clinton’s inauguration. In 1996 he released the album “Strong Love Affair”. In 2002 he released the album “Thanks for Bringing Love Around Again”. In 2003 he was inducted into the songwriters hall of fame.
(Charles in 2003)
He also had hip surgery. In 2004 a movie on his life was released called Ray.
(Charles (Left) and Jamie Foxx (Right))
On June 10th, 2004 Ray Charles died of liver disease in Beverly Hills, California, USA. He was 73 years old.
(Charles’ funeral)
Today is the 13th anniversary of his death. Take time to remember this great musical artist today.

Albums by Ray Charles
  • “Ray Charles” (1957)
  • “The Great Ray Charles” (1957)
  • “Yes Indeed!” (1958)
  • “Soul Brothers” (1958)
  • “What’d I Say” (1959)
  • “The Genius of Ray Charles” (1959)
  • “The Original Ray Charles” (1959)
  • “The Fabulous Ray Charles” (1959)
  • “The Genius Hits the Road” (1960)
  • “The Genius Sings the Blues” (1961)
  • “Soul Meeting” (1961)
  • “The Genius After Hours” (1961)
  • “Dedicated to You” (1961)
  • “Ray Charles and Betty Carter” (1961)
  • “Genius + Soul = Jazz” (1961)
  • “Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music” (1962)
  • “Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music Volume Two” (1962)
  • “Ingredients in a Recipe for Soul” (1963)
  • “Sweet & Sour Tears” (1964)
  • “Have a Smile with Me” (1964)
  • “Together Again” (1965)
  • “Crying Time” (1966)
  • “Ray’s Moods” (1966)
  • “Invites You to Listen” (1967)
  • “A Portrait of Ray” (1968)
  • “I’m All Yours Baby!” (1968)
  • “Doing His Thing” (1969)
  • “My Kind of Jazz” (1970)
  • “Love Country Style” (1970)
  • “Volcanic Action of My Soul” (1971)
  • “A Message From the People” (1972)
  • “Through the Eyes of Love” (1972)
  • “Jazz Number II” (1972)
  • “Come Live with Me” (1974)
  • “Renaissance” (1975)
  • “My Kind of Jazz Part 3” (1975)
  • “Porgy and Bess” (1976)
  • “True to Life” (1977)
  • “Love & Peace” (1978)
  • “The Tender Side of Ray Charles” (1978)
  • “Ain’t It So” (1979)
  • “Brother Ray is at it Again” (1980)
  • “Wish You Were Here Tonight” (1983)
  • “Do I Ever Cross Your Mind” (1984)
  • “Friendship” (1984)
  • “The Spirit of Christmas” (1985)
  • “From the Pages of My Mind” (1986)
  • “Just Between Us” (1988)
  • “Would You Believe” (1990)
  • “My World” (1993)
  • “Strong Love Affair” (1996)
  • “Thanks for Bringing Love Around Again” (2002)
  • “Genius Loves Company” (2004)

Films starring Ray Charles
  • Swingin' Along (1961) as himself
  • Ballad in Blue (1964) as himself
  • The Big T.N.T. Show (1966) as himself
  • The Blues Brothers (1980) as Ray
  • Limit Up (1989) as Julius
  • Listen Up: The Lives of Quincy Jones (1990) as himself
  • Love Affair (1994) as himself
  • Spy Hard (1996) as Bus Driver
  • The Extreme Adventures of Super Dave (2000) as himself
  • Blue's Big Musical Movie (2000) as G-Clef

Videos of Ray Charles




P.S. sorry for the late post
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Saturday, May 13, 2017

Happy Birthday Stevie Wonder

“Just because a man lacks the use of his eyes doesn't mean he lacks vision” - Stevie Wonder
(Stevie Wonder)
Stevie Wonder was born as Stevland Judkins on May 13th, 1950 in Saginaw, Michigan, USA. Judkins was born 6 weeks early and as a result his retinas were detached causing blindness. His mother changed his last name to morris. Morris began playing instruments at an early age. He formed a singing partnership with a friend; calling themselves Stevie and John. In 1961 Morris auditioned to a member of the Miracles and he brought him to Motown. Berry Gordy signed Morris to his Tamla label.
(Morris (Right) and Berry Gordy (Left))
Morris was then given the name “Little Stevie Wonder”. Due to his age the label drew up a rolling five-year contract in which royalties would be held in trust until Wonder was 21. Wonder was put in the care of producer and songwriter Clarence Paul. In 1962 Wonder released 2 albums “Tribute to Uncle Ray” and “The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie”.
(Wonder in 1962)
In Wonder then joined the “Motortown Revue” and toured with other Motown artists around the country wherever Black artists would be accepted. In 1963 Wonder’s single “Fingertips” hit No. 1 on the Billboard hot 100 chart. He then became the youngest artist to ever chart.
(Wonder performing “Fingertips”)
The single also hit No. 1 on the R&B charts. In 1964 Wonder appeared in 2 movies Muscle Beach Party (1964) and Bikini Beach (1964).
(Wonder in Bikini Beach (1964))
Also in 1964 Wonder began writing songs for himself and other artists. In 1968 Wonder released an album under the name “Eivets Rednow”, the album wasn't successful. Between 1968 and 1970 Wonder released several hits including "I Was Made to Love Her", "For Once in My Life", "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours", "My Cherie Amour", and "Uptight”. In 1970 Wonder married Syreeta Wright.
(Wonder (Left) with Syreeta Wright (Right))
In 1972 Wonder signed a new contract with Motown and released “Music of my Mind” and “Talking Book”. From his “Talking Book” album Wonder had a No. 1 hit with “Superstition” and “You Are the Sunshine of My Life”. Wonder also toured with the Rolling Stones the same year. Wonder also won 3 Grammy awards in 1972.
(Wonder in 1972)
Wonder appeared on Sesame Street in 1973. Also in 1973 Wonder released “Innervisions” and the singles “Higher Ground” and “Living for the City” both reached No. 1 on the R&B charts. He also won 3 more Grammys that year. Wonder was injured in a car accident and was in a coma for 4 days.
(The aftermath of Wonder’s accident)
In 1974 Wonder released “Fulfillingness' First Finale” and the single “You Haven’t Done Nothin” featuring the Jackson 5 reached No. 1 on the Pop Charts.
(Wonder (Right) and Michael Jackson (Left))
He also won 3 Grammys that year. In 1975 Wonder performed at the historic "Wonder Dream Concert" in Kingston, Jamaica.
(Wonder (Left) and Bob Marley (Right))
In 1976 Wonder released the album “Songs in the Key of Life”. The album was No. 1 on the Billboard charts for 14 straight weeks. The singles “I Wish” and “Sir Duke” hit No. 1 on R&B charts. Wonder won another 3 Grammys that year. The album ranks 57th on Rolling Stone′s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
(Wonder in 1976)
In 1979 he released “Journey Through "The Secret Life of Plants”. Wonder also wrote “Let’s Get Serious” for Jermaine Jackson.
(Wonder (Right) and Jermaine Jackson (Left))
In 1980 Wonder released “Hotter Than July” which became his 1st platinum album. Also in 1980 Wonder campaigned to have Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday to become a national holiday.
(Wonder at the campaign to make Dr. King’s birthday a holiday)
In 1982 Wonder released the single “Do I Do” featuring Dizzy Gillespie and featured on the song “Ebony and Ivory” with Paul McCartney.
(Wonder (Right) with Paul McCartney (Left))
In 1984 Wonder released the album “The Woman in Red” for the movie of the same name. The single “I Just Called to Say I Love You” reached No. 1 on the Pop and R&B charts. Wonder won an academy award for the song and accepted it in the name of Nelson Mandela and was Wonder’s songs were subsequently banned from all South African radio by the Government of South Africa. In 1985 Wonder released the album “In Square Circle”. The single “Part Time Lover” hit No. 1 on the Pop Charts. Wonder also featured on the song “I Feel for You”, a cover of Prince’s song of the same name, with Chaka Khan and Melle Mel. Wonder also appeared on the song “We Are the World”.
(Wonder in the “We Are the World” music video)
In 1987 Wonder was featured on Michael Jackson’s song “Just Good Friends”. Wonder also released the album “Characters” which Michael Jackson appeared on the single “Get It”.
(Wonder (Right) and Michael Jackson (Left))
In 1991 Wonder released the album “Jungle Fever” for the movie of the same name. In 1995 Wonder released the album “Conversation Peace”. In 1996 Wonder performed at the 1996 Summer Olympics closing ceremony. In 2005 Wonder released the album “A Time to Love”. In 2009 Wonder performed at the Obama Inaugural Celebration in 2009.
(Wonder (Left) and Barack Obama (Right))
Wonder also sang at Michael Jackson’s funeral.
(Wonder performing at Michael Jackson’s funeral)
In 2012 Wonder performed at Whitney Houston’s funeral. In 2014 Wonder started his “Songs in the Key of Life Tour”.
(Wonder in 2016)
Today he turns 67 years old and we would all like to say happy birthday Stevie Wonder.

Albums by Stevie Wonder
  • “The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie” (1962)
  • “Tribute to Uncle Ray” (1962)
  • “With a Song in My Heart” (1963)
  • “Stevie at the Beach” (1964)
  • “Up-Tight” (1966)
  • “Down to Earth” (1966)
  • “I Was Made to Love Her” (1967)
  • “Someday at Christmas” (1967)
  • “Eivets Rednow” (1968)
  • “For Once in My Life” (1968)
  • “My Cherie Amour” (1969)
  • “Signed, Sealed & Delivered” (1970)
  • “Where I'm Coming From” (1971)
  • “Music of My Mind” (1972)
  • “Talking Book” (1972)
  • “Innervisions” (1973)
  • “Fulfillingness' First Finale” (1974)
  • “Songs in the Key of Life” (1976)
  • “Journey Through "The Secret Life of Plants"” (1979)
  • “Hotter than July” (1980)
  • “The Woman in Red” (1984)
  • “In Square Circle” (1985)
  • “Characters” (1987)
  • “Jungle Fever” (1991)
  • “Conversation Peace” (1995)
  • “A Time to Love” (2005)

Videos of Stevie Wonder
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