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From Nat Cole Imitator to Soul Original.

Rock historian Ed Ward tells the story of how Ray Robinson--an obscure emerging R & B singer--broke away from his image as a Nat King Cole imitator, changed his name, his record label, and established his identity as Ray Charles. (Rebroadcast of 8/23/1988)

07:56

Other segments from the episode on October 3, 1995

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, October 3, 1995: Interview with Andrew Weil; Commentary on Ray Charles.

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