9 x 13 1/4 in. silver gelatin photograph of Ray Charles seated before a wall filled with numerous awards presented to the iconic musician. Taken by Bill Ray while on assignment for Life Magazine. Various notations and ink stamps on verso, including Life photo credit to Bill Ray and 3 May 1966 date.

American photojournalist Bill Ray (1936-2020) had a long career that included working for twelve years as a staff photographer for Life Magazine during the 1960s. Ray's subjects ranged broadly from celebrities to international conflicts, social movements, and trends of the decade. Some of his most popular works, which were not featured in publications but were displayed in gallery exhibitions, include Marilyn Monroe singing "Happy Birthday" to John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden in 1962 and Ray Charles at Carnegie Hall in 1966.