Great Composers of the 19th Century

Ray Charles Robinson and Steveland Hardaway Judkins are two of the most prolific composers of all times. Born and raised in the United States of America, they became legendary composers, singers, producers, and musicians of the 19th century. Their compositions were soulful in nature, and their styles ranged from rock and pop to blues and jazz. Ray Charles Robinson was known as The Pioneer of Rock Music. He influenced the lives of people worldwide, and he paved the way for various artists such as Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, and Van Morrison. Maria Carey, Alicia Keys, and John Legend are amongst musicians and performers who acknowledge Steveland Hardaway Judkins as their major influence.
September 23, 1930, Ray Charles Robinson was born to Bailey Robinson and Aretha Robinson in Albany, Georgia. Shortly thereafter, Bailey Robinson moved his family to Greenville, Florida. Ray Charles Robinson was raised in the state of Florida under extremely poor conditions. He was raised with one additional sibling. As described in his 1978 autobiography, “Brother Ray”, although he lived in unfavorable conditions and his father was “hardly ever around”, he was still a “happy kid”. Little did he know, by the age of five he would begin to endure painful tragedies that would cause intolerable memories and change his life forever. At the age of five, Ray Charles Robinson experienced the unbearable trauma of witnessing his younger brother drowning to death in his mother’s large portable laundry tub. Not long thereafter, Ray Charles Robinson began to lose his sight. By the age of seven, he was completely blind. Nevertheless, his mother would not allow him to wallow in self-pity. He had shown interest in music since the age of 3. Therefore, she encouraged him to become a charity student at the state –supported school for the deaf and blind in St. Augustine, Florida. At the age of seven, he begin to receive a formal musical education and learned to read,