Ray Charles Featured In Down Beat (1956)

This is the first full page magazine article about Ray Charles that I know of, from Down Beat, dated 28 November 1956. Wexler’s quote on the “soul part” of the blues is remarkable – possibly the earliest instance where Ray’s music was associated with the term soul. The essence of RC’s biographical mantra is there, but small mistakes (“parents”, “uncle”) show that Ray can’t have been personally involved in briefing the writer.