The Ray Charles Singers

The Ray Charles Singers were formed by Ray Charles, and featured on Perry Como's records, radio shows and television shows for 35 years.

The Singers are also known for the 30 choral record albums produced in the 1950s and 1960s for the Essex, Essex, Essex and Essex labels..

Members:
* Ray Charles (1918–2015)
* Wife: Bernice (1916–2002)
* Son: Michael (1941–present)
* Son: Jonathan (1946–present)
* Daughter: Wendy (1950–2004)

The Ray Charles Singers were a fixture on the Perry Como television show for 35 years. In June 1959, the Ray Charles Singers, a name bestowed on them by Perry Como, began recording a series of albums. Due to advances in recording technology, they were able to create a softer sound than had been heard before and this was the birth of what has been called "easy listening". Record producer Jack Hansen used some of the singers to provide backing vocals for Buddy Holly's last songs, which Holly had composed and recorded shortly before his death in February 1959. The singers' close harmonies behind Holly's lead vocals simulated the sound of Holly's hit records with the Crickets. Six songs resulted from the Hansen sessions, led by the 45-rpm single "Peggy Sue Got Married"/"Crying, Waiting, Hoping."

On a cruise in 1964, Ray Charles heard a Mexican song called "Cuando Calienta el Sol". They recorded it under the English title "Love Me with All Your Heart", and his recording became a hit, riding to No. 3 on Billboard, #2 on Cashbox. This was followed by "Al Di La", also a very popular recording. The Ray Charles Singers were not one static group of vocalists; it was different combinations of singers used on records, tours and TV shows. What made them "The Ray Charles Singers" was the conducting and arranging of Ray Charles. He generally recorded with 20 singers (12 men and eight women) and these vocalists appeared on Perry Como's television show. The Ray Charles Singers were also the voices behind many commercial jingles. Charles decided to produce a "live" performing group to send on the road with Perry Como. The group of 12 singers opened in Las Vegas at the International Hotel and also opened the show for Como at Harrah's in South Lake Tahoe. Charles wrote the music and lyrics for an album produced by the Continental Insurance Company for the New York World's Fair in 1964, titled Cinema '76. It was a companion piece to a 30-minute show about unsung heroes of the American Revolution.

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