The Photography

Ray Charles - Yes Indeed!

The book unveils a cache of photographs recently discovered at RPM Studios in Los Angeles, the creative centre of Ray Charles' life and work. Nearly all in full colour, the collection presents a vibrant record of Ray's life from the early Sixties until his passing in 2004.'Over a period of some 45 years, only one person penetrated Ray's privacy: Joe Adams. He got closer to Ray than anyone.' David Ritz

Joe was Ray Charles' manager, business partner and friend for 45 years. Described as the 'man behind the man', his images bear witness to his instrumental role in Charles' career.

From his privileged standpoint, Joe Adams photographed legendary performances (such as 1973's appearance with Aretha Franklin on The Midnight Special) and also rare moments such as Ray relaxing backstage with his beloved chessboard - even at the cockpit of his private jet.

'When Joe picked up his Nikon to record scenes on the road with Ray Charles, he made magic without even working up a sweat. We are fortunate to get to share his rare view behind-the-scenes with his best friend, Ray Charles.'  Janet Macoska - Ray Charles Marketing Group

'When people look at this book I wantthem to take away from it the fact that the pictures are taken by a guy who wasvery fortunate to have the privilege of being associated with another guy, andthat we liked and, most importantly, respected each other.' Joe Adams 

'Reveals hundreds of previously unseenimages of Ray Charles.' The Telegraph

The Author

Ray Charles - Yes Indeed!

Joe Adams was Ray Charles' manager, business partner and friend for 45 years. Described as the 'man behind the man', he was instrumental in Charles' rise as a cultural icon and enjoyed unprecedented photographic access to Ray's life. From his privileged standpoint, Joe also caught incredibly rare moments such as Ray relaxing backstage, with his beloved chessboard, in hotel rooms and in his office, and at the cockpit of his private jet.

This collection of personal and insightful images provides a window into the singer's life, never seen before. Amazingly, the photographs were all but forgotten about until 2006 when they were discovered by staff at Ray Charles Enterprises while their Los Angeles offices were being re-modelled.

The Collector Copies

Ray Charles - Yes Indeed!

The Collector Edition comprises copies numbered 501-2,500 with every copy bound by hand with a foil-blocked leather spine, silver page edging, and a portrait of Ray inset on the cloth cover. On the back cover are the embroidered initials 'RC'. This detailing is reproduced directly from the cuff of one of Ray Charles' monogrammed shirts. Each book is housed in a silver slipcase, debossed with an image of Ray Charles' microphones at RPM Studios.

A pocket on the inside back cover of each book holds an A5-sized folding booklet. Focusing on the hub of Ray Charles' business and music - the offices and recording studios of RPM, declared an Historic-Cultural Monument by the City of Los Angeles in 2004 - it features unseen photographs of Ray's office, recording studios and wardrobe, and includes a text by Tony Gumina, president of the Ray Charles Marketing Group, giving an unparalleled insight into the working life of Ray Charles.

Accompanying the book is a limited edition DVD - exclusive to Yes Indeed! - containing rare archive footage of Ray with Johnny Cash, Carol Burnett and Barbra Streisand. The historic performances are compiled in a special pressing that brings to life the images within the pages of the book.

All royalties from the sale of this limited edition book and DVD set will go to the Ray Charles Foundation, working to assist children with hearing disabilities.