Ray Smith (rockabilly singer)

Ray Smith
BornOctober 30, 1934
Melber, Kentucky, United States
DiedNovember 29, 1979(1979-11-29) (aged 45)
Burlington, Ontario, Canada[1]
GenresRock and roll, rockabilly, R&B, country
OccupationsSinger, songwriter, musician
InstrumentsVocals, piano, guitar
Years active1956–1979
LabelsSun Records
Judd Records
Vee-Jay Records
Tollie Records
Smash Records
Boot Records
Various independent record labels
Formerly ofRay Smith and the Country Boys
WebsiteRay Smith's Rockabilly Hall of Fame page

Ray Smith (October 30, 1934 – November 29, 1979)[2] was an American rockabilly musician.

Career

Smith recorded for Vee-Jay Records, Tollie Records, Smash Records, Sun Records and Boot Records during his career, and had a hit with the song "Rockin' Little Angel" in 1960 on Judd Records.[3] "Rockin' Little Angel" took a portion of its melody from the 1844 song "Buffalo Gals".[4] The record sold over one million copies, earning a gold disc.[5] It reached #22 on the Billboard Hot 100.[6] Smith often recorded material written by Charlie Rich, and was influenced by Elvis Presley.[3] Smith gave a concert at "Karregat" Hall in Eindhoven on April 21, 1979. It is recorded on an album called The Rocking Side and released by a Dutch label (Rockhouse, LP 7909).

Death

Smith committed suicide at his home in Burlington, Ontario Canada on November 29, 1979, at the age of 45, leaving behind his wife Lillian, and children Sheila, Johnny and Ray Jr. [4] Smith's Judd and Sun singles and session material have been released on Germany's Bear Family Records.

References

  1. ↑ "Ray Smith". Discogs. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  2. ↑ "Rockabilly Hall of Fame". Rockabillyhall.com. Archived from the original on September 14, 2018. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  3. 1 2 Greg Adams. "Shake Around - Ray Smith | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  4. 1 2 Joel Whitburn, The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits. 7th edn, 2000
  5. ↑ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins. p. 129. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
  6. ↑ tolsen (January 2, 2013). "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
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