I have noticed there are offers here on eBay to buy 'authentic' autographs and signatures of the late Ray Charles.  None of these can be authentic.  And there is a simple reason why. Ray Charles could not sign his name in cursive. He could make a simple block signature of the letters R A Y because his mother taught him before he was completely blind.

I worked with Ray as a songwriter and was his friend for many years and that is why I know this fact. I'm not a crank, I'm a television writer and producer with nothing to gain here except proper respect for this man and his fans who obviously want a memento.

So beware when you see ANY Ray Charles autographs for sale.