2-835-195 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Receipt for payment signed by African-American singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer Ray Charles (1930-2004), early in his career when he was only 20 years old. The receipt states that Ray Charles Robinson received from Swing Time Record Company payment of $82.50 for a recording session at Universal Studios on November 24, 1950. Charles joined Swing Time Records and under his own name "Ray Charles" to avoid being confused with boxer Sugar Ray Robinson) recorded two more R&B hits, "Baby, Let Me Hold Your Hand" (#5) in 1951 and "Kissa Me Baby" (#8) in 1952. The following year, Swing Time folded and Ahmet Ertegün signed him to Atlantic Records.