[Dixielandjazz] Ray Charles, a question !

[Dave Hanson]

Like all on this list, I was saddened when I heard of Ray Charles passing away yesterday. He was something special and crossed many musical forms, being able to address country, blues and jazz in to his own unique way.

The press reports said he was 73 years old, but I'm asking this august body of musical knowledge if his given name might have been Ray Charles Robinson ? I have discovered he was a member of local 47 in Los Angeles as Ray C. Washington, a member of local 76-493 as Ray Charles Robinson (Washington state) and lastly, a member of Local 802 New York as Ray Charles.

The first two locals give his birth date as 9/23/30, Local 802 as 9/13/18 ! I also notice there are two different Social Security numbers, but all three listings list his instrument as piano, organ, electric piano and vocalist.

Does anyone know if these were two different people, or maybe he just listed his age, like some of us do, to reflect a slightly younger man, and at some point applied for a new SS#. 

Most importantly, his contribution to the music industry was monumental, and he will be missed.

With sadness,

Dave Hanson
Trombone
Atlanta