Ray Charles was an American musician who lost his sight as a young child but went on to become one of the most influential artists in American music history. He blended gospel, blues, jazz, and country into a sound often called soul music, and his emotional, powerful voice and piano playing touched listeners everywhere. He won 17 Grammy Awards over his career and was among the first group of musicians inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. He is remembered as a true pioneer who broke musical boundaries throughout his long career.