Ray Charles' children discuss father's unknown generosity

Jet, Nov 1, 2004

Ray Charles' legendary music and tempestuous personal life is well chronicled in the movie Ray. But, as much as his fans think they know about the genius (born Ray Charles Robinson), plenty was kept extremely personal.

His 12 children wanted to maintain their dad's love of privacy. But, tabloid reports earlier this year that he was broke and a negligent father angered them to the point of coming forth and announcing publicly that he gave each child $1 million two years ago.

"I resent those stories," said Rev. Robert Robinson, Ray's second-oldest son. "He wasn't close to being broke. He owned everything of his. He used to tell me, 'I own myself.' He had his own private jet. And now the story is out that every kid got $1 million. And we're blessed with that."

He recalled that without saying much in advance, Charles gathered 10 of his 12 children at Christmas for a mysterious, celebratory meal.

"He called and we had a sit-down lunch and everything was there. We took a lot of pictures. And we had a really good time getting to know each other. There were 10 of us there because two couldn't make it. My dad talked about how they always wait until a person passes. He said, 'Why do that? I'll give it to you now so you can build on that now.' It wasn't publicized because he was a very private man."

At that time, he said his father presented each child with a check for $1 million.

Ray Junior said to JET: "How can you be broke when you give us $1 million and pay the taxes on it? What does that tell you? My father was second to none. He died not owing anyone anything. Everything he had belonged to him. He has 12 kids and he recognized them. He gave them $1 million in the prime or peak of their lives."

As one of the producers of the film Ray, he said he wanted people to see the whole, beautiful picture of his father. He was especially thankful to Colorado entrepreneur Philip Anschultz for helping get the movie made.

"He was adamant about getting my father portrayed in a positive light."

The film did show the ups and downs of Charles' life. But, his children said the tabloid stories were hurtful and distorted.

Rev. Robinson said that beyond the money, the tabloid stories immediately took him back to his childhood in L.A. when his father would talk and play with him. "He'd be in the backyard throwing footballs with us. We'd say, 'Here comes the ball, dad. Open your arms!' And he'd catch the ball."

And he recalled his father also riding a motorcycle.

"He rode mine! He rode by himself. I bought a new bike and he said, 'When are you going to let me ride?' I said, 'You can ride now. I got it downstairs.' Then he got on there and I gave him the keys and he said, 'What's the gear?' I said, 'One down and four up.' He just started riding. He rode around the parking lot."

Far from being a bad father, Ray Jr. said his father had a great sense of humor. "I lived a very rich life. He was a very responsible person."

As a kid, he said he resented his father traveling all the time.

"He wasn't always accessible, but when I needed my father he was there. He was simply a workaholic, but he came and he was there when I needed him." He said Charles wasn't the type to come around when you wanted him, but always when there was a need."

Corey Robinson denBok, 16, and the youngest of the 12, said that in spite of his father's reputation of being a focused workaholic, he could always go into the studio and see him. He said his father's generous gestures have enabled him to get to know siblings he'd never met before.

Vincent, who grew up in France as an only child, felt the same way. "I had no idea I had so many brothers and sisters. It was really nice to have a family come together."

Raenee, who traveled with her father on the road starting in 1996 selling his merchandise, said beyond Ray Jr., Robert and David, the three oldest sons, all the others (Evelyn, Sheila, Corey, Reatha, Alexandria, Robyn, Vincent and Charles) grew up individually.

Like her older brothers, she said she will always remember her father saying "'Don't depend on anybody else. Always depend on yourself.' And I've always been independent that way."

When all the children connected two years ago, many for the first time, she said her father was ecstatic. "He decided, 'I want to be alive and be able to see all my kids together at the same time.' We were elated to finally meet. There are so many of us that we joke with each other: 'Be careful who you marry.'"