From the category archives:

Percy Mayfield

[audio http://boxstr.com/files/3071064_jaoei/Ray%20Charles%20-%20Hit%20The%20Road%2C%20Jack.mp3] Ray Charles – Hit The Road Jack (1961)

Penned by Ray’s friend and colleague Percy Mayfield, “Hit The Road Jack” as performed by Brother Ray won the fourth ever R&B Grammy — Best Rhythm and Blues Recording 1961.

Of course in addition to winning a Grammy, the song  topped both the R&B and Pop single charts at #1 in 1961.

This makes four R&B Grammy awards given out by the Academy since 1958 and Ray Charles has won half of them at this point!

Read more about Ray Charles Robinson at SwingMusic.Net’s Biography on the Genius.  Also be sure to read “Strange Things Happen : Percy Mayfield©2004JCMarion” by clicking on the Percy Mayfield link above: this talented man led a most eventful life.

I hope you enjoy this vintage performance of “HTRJ”.

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Filed under: ABC/Paramount, Grammy Gold, Hit The Road Jack, Magnificent Male Vocalists, Percy Mayfield, Pop/R&B, Ray Charles, Sixties

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