LOS ANGELES, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Ray Charles' final album, "Genius Loves Company," has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
The CD -- a collection of 12 newly-recorded duets with such artists as Willie Nelson, Diana Krall, Norah Jones and Elton John -- is the first million-selling recording in Charles' career. It was released on Aug. 31, 12 weeks after Charles died at 73.
During a recording career that spanned five decades, Charles had five gold records -- including his signature tunes "Georgia" and "I Can't Stop Loving You." "Genius Loves Company" debuted at No. 2 on Billboard's Top 200 chart, and sold more than 200,000 copies in its first week.
It was the first time since 1964 that Charles was in the Top 10.
To date, "Genius Loves Company" has shipped nearly two million copies worldwide.
