On this day in 1962, Ray Charles earned his third No. 1 hit

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Music legend Ray Charles performs at the Masonic Temple in Detroit on Jan, 2, 1994. Charles died Thursday, June 10, 2004, a spokesman said. He was 73.(AP Photo/Jeff Kowalsky)
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On June 2, 1962, music legend Ray Charles, one of the founding fathers of soul music, earned his third No. 1 hit with his cover of the country classic “I Can’t Stop Loving You.” The crossover track would eventually become the biggest pop hit of his illustrious career.

Executives at ABC Records advised their prized client against his idea to re-record beloved contemporary country songs with his own unique twist. In spite of warnings that he would lose his fans, Charles executed his vision.

The landmark album “Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music” gained the already internationally acclaimed artist even more praise by landing the top spot on the Billboard album chart for a staggering 14 weeks and becoming the best-selling album of 1962.


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