24 November 2003 - Underwent hip replacement surgery in L.A.
At the time of his death, a feature film originally titled "Unchain My Heart, the Ray Charles Story" (renamed for release as Ray (2004/I)), starring Jamie Foxx, was being completed.
Awarded honorary doctor of humane letters by Wilberforce University, a private, historically black university in Wilberforce, Ohio (December 1999)
Awarded the Polar Music Prize, the Royal Swedish Academy of Music Award, in 1998.
Became the big winner at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards in L.A. getting eight Grammys for his final album, Genius Loves Company, becoming album of the year, and his song, Here We Go Again, featuring Norah Jones, becoming record of the year.
Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume 7, 2003-2005, pages 78-80. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2007.
Blind from glaucoma since age 6.
Charter member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.
Despite his blindness, he was a chess-playing fanatic who was known to set up games between sets and concerts.
Dropped the "Robinson" from his name as a young performer to avoid confusion with boxer Sugar Ray Robinson.
Had a hip replacement in the fall of 2003 in which he had to cancel his very first concert in 53 years of performing on the road.
Had three #1 pop hits with "Georgia On My Mind" (1960), "Hit the Road Jack" (1961), and "I Can't Stop Loving You" (1962).
Had twelve children: Ray Charles Robinson, Jr., David Robinson, Robert Robinson (all of Della Beatrice Robinson), Charles Wayne Hendricks (son of the late Margie Hendricks - one of the Raelettes), Reatha Butler, Alexandra Bertrand (daughter of Chantal Bertrand), Robyn Moffett (daughter of Gloria Moffett), Evelyn Robinson (daughter of Louise Mitchell), Raenee Robinson (daughter of Mae Mosely Lyles), Sheila Robinson (daughter of Sandra Jean Betts), Vincent Kotchounian (son of Arlette Kotchounian), and Ryan Corey Robinson den Bok (son of Mary Anne den Bok).
He inspired many blind musicians to pursue careers such as Ronnie Milsap and Terri Gibbs.
He struggled with a heroin addiction for nearly 20 years before quitting cold turkey in 1965 after an arrest at the Boston airport.
He was a longtime supporter of Israel, and was named "Man of the Year" by the B'nai Brith in 1976.
He was awarded the American National Medal of the Arts in 1993 by the National Endowment of the Arts in Washington D.C.
He was awarded the Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6777 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
He was married twice and had many girlfriends. He had 12 children, 20 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
He was voted the 10th Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Artist of all time by Rolling Stone.