7 The 100 Most Influential Musicians of All Time 7

blues and gospel influences and signed on with Atlantic
Records. Propelled by Charles’s distinctive raspy voice,
“I’ve Got a Woman” and “Hallelujah I Love You So” became
hit records. “What’d I Say” led the rhythm-and-blues sales
charts in 1959 and was Charles’s own first million-seller.
Charles’s rhythmic piano playing and band arranging
revived the “funky” quality of jazz, but he also recorded in
many other musical genres. He entered the pop market
with the best-sellers “Georgia on My Mind” (1960) and
“Hit the Road, Jack” (1961). His album Modern Sounds in
Country and Western Music (1962) sold more than one million
copies, as did its single, “I Can’t Stop Loving You.” There-
after his music emphasized jazz standards and renditions
of pop and show tunes.
From 1955 Charles toured extensively in the United
States and elsewhere with his own big band and a gospel-
style female backup quartet called The Raeletts. He also
appeared on television and worked in films such as Ballad
in Blue (1964) and The Blues Brothers (1980) as a featured act
and sound track composer. He formed his own custom
recording labels, Tangerine in 1962 and Crossover Records
in 1973. The recipient of many national and international
awards, he received 13 Grammy Awards, including a lifetime
achievement award in 1987. In 1986 Charles was inducted
into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and received a Kennedy
Center Honor. He published an autobiography, Brother Ray,
Ray Charles’ Own Story (1978), written with David Ritz.

Patsy Cline

(b. Sept. 8, 1932, Winchester, Va., U.S.—d. March 5, 1963, near
Camden, Tenn.)

A

merican country and western singer Patsy Cline (born
Virginia Patterson Hensley) helped bridge the gap
between country music and more mainstream audiences.