Ray Charles son faces drug charge

The son of the late singer Ray Charles has been arrested in Los Angeles for alleged drug possession and being under the influence of cocaine.

Ray Charles Robinson, aged 45, who also goes by the name Ray Charles Jr, was arrested at the Dunes Wilshire Hotel yesterday after police received a tip.

Robinson was released on bail and has a previous arrest for possession of a controlled substance, police said.

Robinson is one of a dozen children of the soul singer, who overcame a 20 year-addiction to heroin during his life.

The elder Charles, who died last June of liver disease, was born Ray Charles Robinson but changed his name in the 1950s to avoid confusion with boxer Sugar Ray Robinson.

His life is the subject of the Oscar nominated movie Ray.