Ray Charles Honored With 'Music Icons Forever' Stamp By US Postal Service

Ray Charles is finally receiving his rightful place among music's biggest icons as part of the US Postal Service's "Music Icons Forever" Stamp Series. The blind pianist and singer will join Lydia Mendoza and Johnny Cash in this year's series.

The decision to honor Charles with a stamp was met with celebrations in Atlanta and Los Angeles. R&B singer Ashanti performed at the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center in Atlanta, while Chaka Khan headlined the Cali celebration.

"Frank Sinatra, himself a stamp honoree, once characterized Ray Charles as 'the only true genius in show business,' and certainly, if anyone was a musical genius, it was Ray Charles," said U.S. Postal Service Judicial Officer William Campbell, who dedicated the stamp at the Atlanta ceremony. "Despite being blind and having a young life marked by tragedy, hardship and tremendous challenges, Ray Charles went on to have a remarkable 58-year career playing music that blurred the lines of jazz, gospel, blues and, in later years, country. In doing so, he became the personification of the American Dream."