CHARLES, RAY
Homebase: Florida / Seattle, WA.
Stats: 1930-2004
Misc Notes: Ray Charles Robinson arrived in Seattle in March 1948, formed the Maxin Trio, recorded their debut disc in town for Downbeat Records, then left for LA in mid-1950. Changing his stage name to Ray Charles, he launched his mega-successful career from there. By 1951 he hit the road, first touring as the opening act for blues man Lowell Fulson. Over the subsequent decades Charles returned to perform in the Northwest many times...
The Seattle Times, display ad, October 16, 1951
Seattle Post-Intelligencer, August 17, 1954, p.19
The Seattle Times, August 9, 1956.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer, July 18, 1958 p.8
Seattle Post-Intelligencer, July 11, 1959 p.9
Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Sunday September 4, 1960, p.14