Ray Charles - Yes Indeed! is a new book that features hundreds of previously unseen photographs by his close friend and manager, Joe Adams. To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the release of Ray Charles’ first single this limited edition book from Genesis Publications features 125 recently discovered and previously unpublished photographs of Ray Charles. Joe Adams on the book; “When people look at this book, I want them to take away from it that the pictures were taken by a guy who was very fortunate of having the privilege to be associated with another guy who liked and, most importantly respected, the other guy. We had a mutual respect for each other and we worked very well together.”

Press Release
11/03/09

Ray Charles-Yes Indeed!
Photographs by Joe Adams
With introduction by Bill Wyman

An intimate and revealing portrait of the life and times of musical genius Ray Charles, featuring hundreds of previously unseen photographs by his close friend and manager, Joe Adams, and with contributions from friends and fellow musicians including Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Willie Nelson, Billy Joel and Tom Waits

I don’t know anybody that doesn’t think Ray Charles was the guy and will be forever. End of story. Willie Nelson

Ray Charles needs no introduction. Famous for breaking traditional musical barriers, blending conventional genres and taking the soul of performance to dizzying heights, and recently voted one of the best singers of all time by Rolling Stone magazine, Ray Charles is truly one of the world’s greatest musical icons.

To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the release of Ray Charles’ first single - the self-penned ‘Confession Blues’ on Swingtime Records in April, 1949 – this superb limited edition book from Genesis Publications and the Ray Charles Marketing Group features 125 recently discovered and previously unpublished photographs of Ray Charles.

Taken by Ray Charles’ long-time manager, business partner and friend, Joe Adams, the photographs were discovered by staff in 2006 when the Ray Charles Entertainment offices in Los Angeles were being remodelled. An archive of over 2,000 images taken between the 1960s and 1980s were lying undiscovered, waiting to be shared.

Accompanied by the exclusive text and contributions from Joe Adams and Charles’ friends and fellow musicians, the book is both a tribute to a man who has influenced musicians for decades and a chance for fans to follow Ray on the road, on stage and at home.

Regularly described as the “man behind the man”, Joe Adams was, for 45 years, instrumental in Charles’ rise as a cultural icon. Adams gained unprecedented photographic access to Ray’s life for over two decades, capturing legendary performances such as his appearance with Aretha Franklin on ‘The Midnight Special’ (NBC) and private moments such as Ray backstage preparing for shows with his beloved chessboard. This collection of unique and insightful images provides a window into the singer’s life, never seen before.

Ray Charles – Yes Indeed! Photographs by Joe Adams is a limited edition of just 2,500 numbered copies, with an introduction by Bill Wyman. An exclusive DVD of rare archive footage, including performances with Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Barbra Streisand and Aretha Franklin accompanies the limited edition. The Deluxe includes one of 500 vintage business cards from Ray’s office desk at RPM Studios. A presentation letter explains the provenance of the business card, suitable for matting and framing. Ray’s voice and musicianship, pastimes, struggle with addiction and subsequent recovery, his blindness and race are all covered in this unique and insightful publication are all discussed by the man himself, Joe Adams and countless friends and colleagues.

Joe Adams on the book; “When people look at this book, I want them to take away from it that the pictures were taken by a guy who was very fortunate of having the privilege to be associated with another guy who liked and, most importantly respected, the other guy. We had a mutual respect for each other and we worked very well together.”

“Ray Charles, is one of the greatest musical icons of all time.” continues Nick Roylance, managing director of Genesis Publications. “His influence reaches far and wide and it was an honour to be able to take this untouched collection of intimate photographs and create a tribute to the man.”

Documenting the rise of a legend – one of the most important and dynamic artists to grace the 20th and 21st centuries – this book will provide a rare and invaluable insight into the mind of a musical genius.

RAY CHARLES: THE PHOTOGRAPHS OF JOE ADAMS IS A LIMITED EDITION OF ONLY 2,500 NUMBERED COPIES
EACH BOOK FEATURES:
• 144 pages printed large format (290mm x 245mm) on luxurious, heavyweight art papers
• 125 photographs printed in fine screen lithography and image varnished
• Introduction by Bill Wyman
• Original text by 28 contributors providing exclusive first-hand testimonies and recollections. Includes previously unpublished text from Ray Charles throughout
• An exclusive DVD of rare archive footage, featuring Charles’ performances with Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Barbara Streisand and Aretha Franklin

Genesis Publications
Genesis Publications is an independent British publisher specialising in signed, numbered, craftsman-bound limited edition books on modern music. Each title is produced to the highest standard in the tradition of the private press and with the full co-operation of each author or artist concerned, and their autographs signify their approval and authentication of each edition.

Genesis was founded in 1974 by Brian Roylance, a former student at the London College of Printing; his aim to create a company true to the art of printing and craftsmanship. For this reason Genesis books are printed and handbound in Italy by top artisans. Brian’s son and daughter, Nicholas and Catherine Roylance now run the company.

Genesis Publications has become the world’s leading limited edition publisher in the field of modern music, in the last 30 years producing over 50 limited edition collectors’ items, featuring pop and rock icons of the 60s, 70s and 80s. Subjects have included The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Bowie, Lennon, George Harrison, Dylan and Pink Floyd founder, Syd Barrett. Authors and/or contributors include: George Harrison, Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono, Eric Clapton, Peter Blake, David Bowie, Keith Richards, Bill Wyman, Mick Jagger, Charlie Watts, Ravi Shankar, Ronnie Wood, Pete Townshend and Sir George Martin. Working with many of the world’s leading musicians, artists and writers, Genesis has established a reputation for quality which is second to none, and it was this that led The Beatles to invite Genesis to compile, edit and prepare for press their book The Beatles Anthology
which was published to acclaim in October 2000.

Joe Adams
For over four decades, Joe Adams was “the man behind the man,” music legend 21-time Grammy® award winner Ray Charles. But his success is not a co-production. A major network radio personality and film and Broadway stage actor, Joe Adams was a well-known entity long before he joined Ray Charles.
There are few personal managers who have guided a stellar client with the wisdom, discretion, taste, and phenomenal success that Joe Adams showed in his impeccable handling of Ray Charles’ career. It is Charles, of course, who is the unique, monumental talent. But it is Joe Adams who has seen to it that he has been adequately rewarded and revered.

Adams’ reputation as a shrewd negotiator is known internationally, as he personally negotiated all of Charles’ business deals.

These days Joe Adams seems content “behind the scenes,” his formidable talents welded into a position both challenging and powerful.

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