Ray Charles

Ray Charles wasn't a rock act in the traditional sense, but any serious music fan owes him a massive debt — because without him, a whole lot of the rock and roll you love simply doesn't exist. Born Ray Charles Robinson in Georgia in 1930, he rose from poverty and blindness to become one of the most electrifying solo artists America ever produced. His genius was in collision — he smashed gospel, blues, jazz, and country together at a time when those genres weren't supposed to touch, and what came out the other side was something raw, soulful, and undeniably powerful.

His landmark albums like 'What'd I Say,' 'Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music,' and 'Genius of Ray Charles' showcased a voice that could shake the walls and a piano style that hit like a freight train. Rock pioneers from Ray Charles Robinson to The Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton openly cited him as a foundational influence. His fearless genre-blending paved the road that rock and roll would later race down. If you respect artists who break rules and rewrite them simultaneously, Ray Charles is essential listening — full stop.