Charles, who was born Ray Charles Robinson, had a unique style that respected no boundaries, venturing into gospel, country, jazz, big band and blues. His best-known hits included "Hit the Road Jack," "What'd I Say" and "Georgia on My Mind."

A Georgia native, Charles took up the piano at age 3, and was blinded by glaucoma at age 7. His parents sent him away to the St. Augustine School for the Deaf and Blind, where he learned to read and write music in Braille.

After graduating at age 15, he began performing at black juke joints, at first patterning himself after Nat "King" Cole. In 1954, Charles recorded the landmark track "I Got a Woman" for Atlantic Records--widely considered the first "soul" single, and the first of a string of well-received hits.

Charles won 13 Grammys over the course of his career. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's first class in 1986, along with Chuck Berry, James Brown, Sam Cooke, Fats Domino, The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley and Little Richard.

The singer played what was billed as his 10,000th concert in May 2003 at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, but he canceled a planned slate of shows last July due to hip discomfort. He underwent successful hip-replacement surgery in November.

Charles had hoped to resume touring this March, but at that time it was announced that his recovery was taking longer than expected, and that he would return to the road in June.

One of Charles' last public appearances was in April, when his longtime Los Angeles recording complex was named a historic building. He showed up for the ceremony in a motorized wheelchair, and appeared frail.

"Although he was very successful and owned a home in Beverly Hills, his first home was always his treasured studio," Joe Adams, Charles' manager for the past 45 years, said in a statement.

Charles' last public concert took place on July 20, 2003, in Alexandria, VA.

Earlier this year, Concord Records announced plans to release a new album of Charles duets on Aug. 31. The album--titled "Genius Loves Company," features guests Natalie Cole, Elton John, Norah Jones, B.B. King, Gladys Knight, Diana Krall, Michael McDonald, Johnny Mathis, Van Morrison, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt and James Taylor.

"We cover it all, from country to R&B, pop, rock and blues," Charles said in a statement issued earlier this year. "I've never let them put me in a little box, and this CD expresses that open feeling. A beautiful song is a beautiful song--and to sing with so many beautiful singers is a blessing from God."