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Ray Charles, often called "The Genius," was a pioneering American singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer who revolutionized music by blending gospel, rhythm and blues, jazz, and country, creating the soul music genre and becoming one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century.Born Ray Charles Robinson in Albany, Georgia, he became completely blind by age 7 due to glaucoma. Overcoming immense adversity, he learned braille and music at the St. Augustine School for the Deaf and Bli...