Shortly after Ray Charles endured a family tragedy, he started to go blind. His mother feared for his future, but Charles was able to make a career in music. Rock historian Ed Ward describes how Charles, who was steeped in the tradition of Nat King Cole, developed his own unique voice.
Rock historian Ed Ward profiles the Gee and End record labels. They were the first to produce vocal-group records for teenagers by groups like Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, the Cleftones, and Arlene Smith and the Chantels.