Ray Charles honoured

Ray Charles. Photo / Reuters

Singer Ray Charles is back in his hometown.

Albany, Georgia, unveiled a revolving, lighted bronze statue of Charles in the middle of a new downtown plaza that bears the R'n'B legend's name.

Family members attended the musical ceremony honouring the city's most famous son, born in 1930. Charles was born in Albany but moved to Florida with his mother when he was young. He frequently returned to his hometown to visit family.

The singer died in 2004 at age 73.

His version of Georgia On My Mind was made the official state song in 1979, 19 years after he recorded the chart-topping hit.