Brother Ray

Ray Charles' Own Story

By: Ray Charles, David Ritz

Narrated by: Andrew L. Barnes

Ray Charles (1930-2004) led one of the most extraordinary lives of any popular musician. In Brother Ray, he reveals his life story unsparingly, from the chronicle of his musical development to his heroin addiction to his tangled romantic life.

Overcoming poverty, blindness, the loss of his parents, and the pervasive racism of the era, Ray Charles was acclaimed worldwide as a genius by the age of 32. By combining the influences of gospel, jazz, blues, and country music, he invented, almost single-handedly, what became known as "soul". And throughout a career spanning more than a half century, Ray Charles remained in complete control of his life and his music, allowing nobody to tell him what he could or couldn't do.

The San Francisco Chronicle calls Brother Ray "an emotional blast as vivid and real, sweaty and straight talking as the man himself".

©1992, 2003, 2004 David Ritz; 1978 Ray Charles and David Ritz (P)2005 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"A delight." (The New York Times)

his life was amazing

a lot of cursing! very graphic..I enjoyed it very much!..if you are a fan of Ray you will love it

Very Candid

Recommended if you really want to know Brother Ray, but be prepared for his candor. He makes no excuses and offers no apologies for his choices. His was a fascinating life and he was an amazing talent. I thought I knew something about him, but how little I knew was revealed with this memoir.

Strength

This was an excellent book about Ray Charles...the determination and strength that he had throughout his life. a must read!

1st person triumph

Brother Ray shares his feelings as well as the facts of his life - full of mighty challenges - with clear and detailed clarity.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE BOOKS

I truly enjoyed this book. I felt like some of the more "juicier" details of his life were omitted, but that was "their right". The most memorable part to me was the way the author described the end of Ray's life.
Ray's strength in face of adversity should motivate others to do more to advance in life.