It's 10,000 shows and counting for music legend Ray Charles and he'll add to that number with his London performance on Saturday. Charles said the landmark show "felt great" and kicked off his international tour, which comes to the John Labatt Centre this weekend.

"I got to do it in L.A., in front of my friends and hometown . . . it was a good night all around."

Charles has been in show business for 58 years, the first of his many hits coming in 1957. He says those hits, the ones people enjoy most, are his favourites, too. But he doesn't necessarily play them the same way every time.

"What I really like to do is play the songs that people love," said Charles. "Georgia, I Can't Stop Loving You, What'd I Say . . . and I get to play these songs differently every night, putting new twists and inflections on them."

Charles is famous for his skill at the piano, but also plays the organ, saxophone and clarinet. He says he's been in love with music since childhood.

"As far back as I can remember, music has captivated me. When I was three years old and playing in the streets, I would hear the sound of a piano and stop whatever I was doing to go listen and try to play."

The 72-year-old musician had a long, hard battle on the path to success. He went blind at age seven and saw his brother George drown the year before. Tragedy struck Charles again a few years later when, at age 15, his mother died.

"The hardest point in my life was moving on after my mother passed," he said. "She was the most important person in the world to me and made me who I am today . . . I still wish I had more time with her."

Despite all the personal turmoil, Charles said he has been able to persevere by staying true to himself.

"I've been through a lot in my life. One thing that has helped me for so long is belief in myself."

Charles has silenced many critics over the years by winning 12 Grammy Awards. He has also received many other accolades, including Kennedy Center honours, the U.S. National Medal of Arts and he has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

"I've made a lot records people said I shouldn't have and not every one has been a hit, mind you," he said. "But some have done very well. So I make every record as best as I can and if I do that, I feel good."

Charles recently formed his own record label, called Crossover Records, and will be releasing several albums this year including a gospel CD.

Charles, his Big Band and backup singers, the Raelettes, take the stage at 8:30 p.m.