JOHNNIE RAY

Johnnie Ray began recording in December of 1951 and soon became the artist to see and witness on stage and on the new medium called television.

Johnnie single handedly changed the face of music from its mundane vocalists that were window dressing for big band orchestras to exciting never before seen performances. Johnnie Ray brought the world of black music to the all white audiences.

With his rendition of ‘Walk and Talk with my Lord’ a spiritual typically sung in a holyroller church, it caught the white audiences by surprise. Johnnie would admit the black singers at the Flame Show Bar had taught him to sing. Johnnie took notice of how they sang soul and blues, how they expressed and felt the lyrics. The music had existed for years, but because of the racial discrimination most white audiences had never heard it except a few jazz fans.

Johnnie Ray would burst onto the music scene with a new gimmick. He had honed his craft as an intermission singer at the black and tan club. People became aware of his odd singing style and his antics during his performances.  

Once over the shock of seeing this totally uninhibited white singer, they began to listen to the lyrics and messages of his other music.

Viewers began to be mesmerized by this handsome young man who would hold his audience in his hands and toy with their emotions.  Johnnie Ray would build the bridge from the big band era to what would become known as rock and roll. He was on his way to becoming the biggest international star of all time.

He would be the white, male, sassy, blues singer. Much like the black entertainers, Johnnie had hidden hurts. He wanted to express his feelings through music. He became a communicator, a fantastic performer and above all a great showman.

Johnnie Ray could have been the greatest entertainer of the 20^th century. Some bad personal and career choices let it get away from him. Because he was such a hit maker the other recording companies would bring their featured singer in and record the same song which became competitive and forced listeners to make a choice on which artist to buy and request on the radio.

In early 1960 Johnnie unable to find steady work in the United States began to tour Asia, Australia and the United Kingdom, all successfully. In doing so it is believed he deserted his American fan base. One of the most damaging to his career was the result of the British Music Invasion. Like many artists in America Johnnie was unable to find bookings in the United States. The music industry would change quickly with the invasion of young musicians. The Vietnam War would spur new song writers and singers who’s anti war messages would prevail. The stages and night clubs that Johnnie and others used to work were being torn down and huge arenas built to accommodate the new movement. These were venues that fifties legends could not fill. Young Johnnie Ray fans now in their late twenties and early thirties were busy raising their children or involved in the war. It would not be until the mid 80’s that some of the fifties entertainers would get bookings again. These bookings were felt to be more of a welfare package. Johnnie like many did not care for remembrance shows. Entertainment capitols like Las Vegas became show rooms for has-beens and legends to die. To ease egos they were called resurgence shows. Of all the artists that came to Las Vegas I can tell you that Johnnie Ray was the most successful and drew big crowds, often full houses. Trios and quartets appearing here had no original members and the audiences stayed away. But Johnnie Ray was the original and in demand. He had mellowed some, but traces of the old performances were there for those who followed him. Often fans would yell out to him and ask him to sing CRY. He would tease and say ‘I don’t do those old songs anymore.’ You could hear the groans. But when he sang it at the end of his show, the females forgot they were now 30-40 years older and would shriek and jump as they did when teens. He still had that magic.

Johnnie Ray was demonstrative, dynamic and definitely an entertainer that could easily create hysteria, magic and had the ability to sing to a single person in a crowd of thousands.

                            The fans who loved him in the beginning still love him today.

                          He is spoken of with reverence and undying love and admiration.

                       This archive is dedicated to Johnnie Ray. My friend of 38 years.

On June 29^,1956 Johnnie recorded a song titled ‘Look Homeward Angel’ which asks the        question?

                                  Will the folks I used to know remember me?

                          Although over 50 years have passed since the recording.

                                             I can assure you, Johnnie Ray

                                                 We still remember you.

                                        Because you touched us like no other.

                                              You remain part of our life.

                                               Your toiling days are over.

                                         God will give you peace and rest.

                   You can flash that warm smile, knowing we have not forgotten you.

                                                             Tad Mann