Ray Charles Album Hit Top Spot In US Charts

24-02-2005 00:00

RAY CHARLES BACK ON TOP AFTER 40 YEARSLate soul legend RAY CHARLES has recorded his first US album number one in more than 40 years thanks to his recent success at the GRAMMYS.The blind singer's acclaimed GENIUS LOVES COMPANY duets album, which ruled the Grammys earlier this month (13FEB05), rocketed back up the charts from 15 to the top last week with impressive 224,000 sales. Released in September (04), three months after Charles' death, the album debuted at number two and has sold 2.4 million copies to date.The album, which features collaborations with NORAH JONES, JOHNNY MATHIS, ELTON JOHN and GLADYS KNIGHT among others, claimed eightGrammys, including Record of The Year and Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for HERE WE GO AGAIN with Jones.Charles last hit the top in the US in 1962 with his acclaimed album MODERN SOUNDS IN COUNTRY & WESTERN MUSIC, which remained at number one for 14 weeks.

Fellow 2005 Grammy winners GREEN DAY also benefited from their awards show win - their hit album AMERICAN IDIOT jumped up a place from three to two with 202,000 sales.