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Quiz about Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Series Ray Charles

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Series: Ray Charles Quiz

Ray Charles is one of the most influential soul singers and pianists of all time. He is also a charter member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. This quiz reflects on the life of this great artist.

A multiple-choice quiz by ralzzz. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
ralzzz

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
173,488

Updated
Jul 23 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
1915

Awards
Editor's Choice

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Ray Charles was not always blind. His eyesight was lost at age six due to what ailment? Hint

Diabetic Retinopathy

Glaucoma

Congenital Cataracts

Amblyopia

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Question 2 of 10

2. What US state was Ray Charles born in? Hint

Louisiana

Missouri

Arkansas

Georgia

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Question 3 of 10

3. Most Ray Charles fans identify him with his signature hit "Georgia on My Mind". Who originally wrote the song? Hint

Chauncey Morehouse

Coleman Hawkins

Hoagy Carmichael & Stuart Gorrell

Harold Arlen

4. Ray Charles had passion for the popular country and western music of his generation. He recorded many songs with a country influence throughout his career. What was the first full fledged country based album that Ray recorded? Hint

Ray Charles-Country Western Sounds

Ray Charles Sings Country Hits

Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music

Ray Charles-Country Man

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which American product did Ray Charles endorse in a long running series of advertisements? Hint

Diet Mountain Dew

Diet Coke

Diet Pepsi

Diet Dr. Pepper

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Question 6 of 10

6. Ray Charles was jailed for one year in 1965 for what offense? Hint

Possession of heroin

Robbery

Assault and battery

Domestic violence

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Question 7 of 10

7. Ray Charles played a street wise store owner in "The Blues Brothers", the 1980 classic movie starring Dan Akroyd and John Belushi. What was the character's name that Charles played? Hint

Ray

Charles

Chuck

Ralph

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Question 8 of 10

8. Ray Charles had an appearance in the 1996 spy spoof movie titled "Spy Hard" where he played what character? Hint

Security Guard

Policeman

Bus Driver

Cab Driver

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Question 9 of 10

9. The song "Confessin' Blues" was the first Ray Charles song to chart in the top 40 on the R&B charts on April 9, 1949. What is the name of his first crossover hit to appear on the pop charts? Hint

Swanee River Rock

What'd I Say

Georgia on my Mind

Ruby

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which artist presented Ray Charles into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum on January 23, 1986? Hint

Elton John

Stevie Wonder

Quincy Jones

Billy Joel

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Ray Charles was not always blind. His eyesight was lost at age six due to what ailment?

Answer: Glaucoma

Ray Charles suffered from glaucoma as a child which led to his complete blindness by age six. Although Charles had some prior musical training from a neighbor, he gained much of his learning at the St. Augustine School for the Deaf and the Blind in Florida. He learned piano and saxophone at this school.

2. What US state was Ray Charles born in?

Answer: Georgia

Ray Charles was born in Albany, GA on September 30, 1930. His family moved to Greenville, FL while he was still young. It was from there that he attended the St. Augustine School for the Deaf and the Blind. Ray's parents died when he was a young teenager. He helped support himself by playing music around Florida.

3. Most Ray Charles fans identify him with his signature hit "Georgia on My Mind". Who originally wrote the song?

Answer: Hoagy Carmichael & Stuart Gorrell

Carmichael wrote this song in 1930, the same year Charles was born. Carmichael also wrote such standards as "Stardust" and "Heart and Soul". Charles had a hit with the song in November of 1960.

Answer: Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music

The album "Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music" stayed on the top of the album chart for three and a half months. The album featured the hits "I Can't Stop Loving You" and "You Don't Know Me". Based on the popularity of this album, Charles released a second volume which had the hit "You Are My Sunshine" on it.

5. Which American product did Ray Charles endorse in a long running series of advertisements?

Answer: Diet Pepsi

The Diet Pepsi spots featured Ray Charles at his piano singing the praises of the refreshing soda. Who can forget Ray singing "You've got the right one baby...Uh-huh"?

6. Ray Charles was jailed for one year in 1965 for what offense?

Answer: Possession of heroin

Ray Charles spent one year in jail for the charge of heroin possession. Upon his release, Charles released the Ashford and Simpson hit "Let's Go Get Stoned" to protest his jailing.

7. Ray Charles played a street wise store owner in "The Blues Brothers", the 1980 classic movie starring Dan Akroyd and John Belushi. What was the character's name that Charles played?

Answer: Ray

The character was aptly named Ray. His character sold a piano to the band for $2,000, and even offered to throw in the black keys for free.

8. Ray Charles had an appearance in the 1996 spy spoof movie titled "Spy Hard" where he played what character?

Answer: Bus Driver

Charles played a bus driver. One of the classic lines of the movie was where he stopped and said "Next stop Sunset Blvd. At least I think it's Sunset Blvd.". A very funny line from a blind man playing a bus driver. The movie starred Leslie Nielsen as Dick Steele, Agent WD-40 in yet another of his satirical takes on other popular movies.

9. The song "Confessin' Blues" was the first Ray Charles song to chart in the top 40 on the R&B charts on April 9, 1949. What is the name of his first crossover hit to appear on the pop charts?

Answer: Swanee River Rock

The song "Confessin' Blues" was on the Downbeat label. "Swanee River Rock" reached number 34 on the pop chart, just one of the many hits he released on Atlantic Records.

10. Which artist presented Ray Charles into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum on January 23, 1986?

Answer: Quincy Jones

Quincy Jones recruited Ray to his Qwest record label, so it was befitting for him to induct him to the Hall of Fame. Billy Joel did present Ray with the Lifetime Achievement Award, given by the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1993.

Source: Author ralzzz

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Bruyere before going online.
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