Johnnie Ray

Singer[22][circular reference]

What is Johnnie Ray known for?

John Alvin Ray, known as Johnnie Ray, was an influential singer, songwriter, and pianist from the United States. Born on January 10, 1927, in Dallas, Oregon, he attended Franklin High School in Portland, Oregon. Despite a hearing impairment that left him partially deaf, Ray used his condition as a motivation to create music, saying it led to his need for sincerity in his performances.

At the young age of 15, Ray started his professional singing career on Portland radio stations. Before long, he had built a considerable local following and was noticed by Okeh Records, a subsidiary of Columbia Records. He gained nationwide recognition with the release of his debut album, "Johnnie Ray" (1952) and a 78 rpm single. Both sides of this single, "Cry" and "The Little White Cloud That Cried," reached the Billboard magazine's Hot 100 chart, propelling him to fame.

In addition to his singing career, Ray made a single film appearance in 1954's "There's No Business Like Show Business," sharing screen space with notable performers like Ethel Merman and Marilyn Monroe. Although his acting career was short-lived, Ray's impact on the music industry was far-reaching. His performances, characterized by their emotional intensity and dramatic stage presence, have been recognized by music historians as precursors to later performers ranging from Leonard Cohen to Morrissey.

Despite a decline in his career in the United States starting around 1957, Ray's fanbases in the United Kingdom and Australia remained strong until his death in 1990 from complications of liver failure. Ray's unique style and heart-wrenching delivery of his hit single 'Cry' had considerable influence on artists like Elvis Presley, marking him as a prime target for teen hysteria in the pre-Presley days.

As one of the pioneering figures in the development of the rock and roll genre, Ray's legacy continues to be celebrated and remembered today. For a comprehensive look into the life and career of Johnnie Ray, visit his detailed biography.