Johnny Ray is a well-… Read Full Bio ↴Note there are two artists with similar names.
Johnny Ray is a well-known Latin music artist (percussionist and band leader). A native of Puerto Rico, he moved to New York, where he formed several bands (starting in the 60's) focused on salsa and tropical music. His current band ("Salsa Con Clase") continues to perform (see: http://www.salsaconclase.com/).
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Johnnie Ray (born on 10 January 1927 in Hopewell, Oregon, USA – 24 February 1990) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Popular for most of the 1950s, Ray has been cited by critics as a major precursor of what would become rock and roll, for his jazz and blues-influenced music and his animated stage personality.
Ray's first record, the self-penned R&B number for OKeh Records, "Whiskey and Gin", was a minor hit in 1951. The following year he dominated the charts with the double-sided hit single of "Cry" and "The Little White Cloud That Cried".[3] Selling over two million copies of the 78rpm single, Ray's delivery struck a chord with teenagers and he quickly became a teen idol
Ray was born in Hopewell, Oregon, spending part of his childhood on a farm, eventually moving to Portland, Oregon. Ray was of Native American origin; his great-grandmother was a full-blooded Native American and his great-grandfather was Oregon pioneer George Kirby Gay of Berkeley, Gloucestershire, England.[citation needed] He became deaf in his right ear at age 13 after an accident during a Boy Scout event. It was his participation in the "blanket toss," a sort of variation of the trampoline, that traumatized the youngster's inner ear. Ray later performed wearing a hearing aid. Surgery performed in New York in 1958 left him almost completely deaf in both ears, although hearing aids helped his condition.
Inspired by rhythm singers like Kay Starr, LaVern Baker and Ivory Joe Hunter, Ray developed a unique rhythm based style, described as alternating between pre-rock R&B and a more conventional classic pop approach.
Ray first attracted the attention of Bernie Lang, a song plugger, who was taken to the Flame Showbar nightclub in Detroit, Michigan by local DJ, Robin Seymour of WKMH. "We were both excited" Seymour recalls. "We heard two shows that first night."
Lang rushed off to New York to sell the singer to Danhy Kessler, the "Mr. Big" of the Okeh label, which is a subsidiary of Columbia Records. Kessler came over from New York, and he, Lang and Seymour went to the Flame. According to Seymour, Kessler's re-action was, "Well, I don't know. This kid looks well on the stand, but he will never go on records."
It was Seymour and Lowell Worley of the local office of Columbia who persuaded Kessler to have a test record made of Johnnie Ray. Worley arranged for a record to be cut at the United Sound Studios in Detroit. Seymour told reporter Dick Osgood that there was a verbal agreement that he would be cut in on the three-way deal in the management of Johnnie Ray. But the deal mysteriously evaporated, and so did Seymour's friendship with Danny Kessler.[2]
Ray's first record, the self-penned R&B number for OKeh Records, "Whiskey and Gin", was a minor hit in 1951. The following year he dominated the charts with the double-sided hit single of "Cry" and "The Little White Cloud That Cried". Selling over two million copies of the 45 single, Ray's delivery struck a chord with teenagers and he quickly became a teen idol.[3]
Ray's performing style included theatrics later associated with rock 'n roll, including beating up his piano, writhing on the floor and crying.[citation needed] Ray quickly earned the nicknames "Mr. Emotion", "The Nabob of Sob", and "The Prince of Wails", and several others.[3]
More hits followed, including "Please Mr. Sun", "Such a Night", "Walkin' My Baby Back Home", "A Sinner Am I", and "Yes Tonight Josephine". His last hit was "Just Walkin' in the Rain", in 1956. He did, however, hit again in 1957 with "You Don't Owe Me a Thing", which reached #10 in the Billboard charts. He was popular in the United Kingdom, breaking the record at the London Palladium formerly set by Frankie Laine.[citation needed] In later years, he retained a loyal fan base overseas, particularly in Australia.
Ray had a close relationship with journalist and television game show panelist Dorothy Kilgallen who gave a boost to his sagging career during his engagement at the Tropicana Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1965.
In early 1969, Ray befriended Judy Garland, performing as her opening act during her last concerts in Copenhagen, Denmark and Malmo, Sweden. Ray was also the best man during Garland's wedding to nightclub manager Mickey Deans in London.
Ray's American career revived in the early 1970s, with appearances on The Andy Williams Show in 1970 and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson three times during 1972 and 1973. His personal manager Bill Franklin resigned in 1976 and cut off contact with the singer a few years later. His American revival turned out to be shortlived. He performed in small American venues such as El Camino College in 1987.[6] Australian, English and Scottish promoters booked him for their large venues as late as 1989, his last year of performing.
Some writers suggested that the reason American entertainment bookers and songwriters ignored him in the 1980s was because they simply did not know who he was, or what his sound was like.[7] His exposure during the new era of cable television was limited to a few seconds in Dexys Midnight Runners' 1982 music video for "Come On Eileen", using archival footage of Ray from 1954. He was name checked in the lyrics to "Come On Eileen" (viz "Poor old Johnnie Ray sounded sad upon the radio / he moved a million hearts in mono").
His other video appearance was in Billy Idol's 1986 "Don't Need a Gun", in which Ray appeared on-camera.
Ray had issues surface regarding his sexuality several times in his career, including two arrests for soliciting men for sex. Ray quietly pleaded guilty and paid a fine after the first arrest, in the restroom of the Stone Theatre burlesque house in Detroit, which was just prior to the release of his first record in 1951. Ray went to trial following the second arrest in 1959, also in Detroit, for soliciting an undercover officer in one of the city's gay bars. He was found not guilty.
Despite these issues, Ray married Marilyn Morrison a short time after he gave his first New York concert, which was at the Copacabana in 1952. The wedding ceremony, attended by New York mayor Vincent R. Impellitteri, made the cover of the New York Daily News.[10] Morrison, the daughter of a Los Angeles nightclub owner,[10] was aware of the singer's sexuality from the start, telling a friend she would "straighten it out."[9] The couple separated in 1953 and divorced in 1954.
In the years hence, writers have noted that the marriage occurred under false pretenses, and that Ray had a long-term relationship with his manager, Bill Franklin. Ray also had a relationship with columnist Dorothy Kilgallen, whom he met following an appearance on What's My Line? in 1956. Kilgallen was a strong support for Ray during the 1959 solicitation trial.
Ray drank regularly and his alcoholism caught up with him in 1960, when he was hospitalized for tuberculosis. He recovered but continued drinking, and was diagnosed with cirrhosis at age fifty.
Ray's American career revived in the early 1970s, with appearances on The Andy Williams Show in 1970 and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson three times during 1972 and 1973. His personal manager Bill Franklin resigned in 1976 and cut off contact with the singer a few years later. His American revival turned out to be short-lived. He performed in small American venues such as El Camino College in 1987.[10] Australian, English and Scottish promoters booked him for their large venues as late as 1989, his last year of performing.
On 24 February 1990, Ray died of liver failure at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. He is buried at Hopewell Cemetery near Hopewell, Oregon.
For his contribution to the recording industry, Johnnie Ray has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6201 Hollywood Boulevard.
Just Walking in the Rain
Johnny Ray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Getting soaking wet
Torturing my heart by trying to forget
Just walking in the rain
So alone and blue
All because my heart still remembers you
They always stare at me
Shaking their heads in sorrow
Saying, Who can that fool be
Just walking in the rain
Thinking how we met
Knowing things have changed
Somehow I can't forget.
The classic song "Just Walking in the Rain" by Johnny Ray is a poignant representation of the heartache and pain of unrequited love. The singer is seen walking in the rain, getting soaking wet and torturing his heart by trying to forget the person he loved. The fact that he is walking alone in the rain portrays the desolation and loneliness that he feels, and the rain becomes a metaphor for his tears and emotional turmoil.
The heartbreak of losing someone you loved is emphasized with lines like “All because my heart still remembers you”, and “Thinking how we met, knowing things have changed, somehow I can't forget." The lyrics are a perfect representation of the pain one feels when they are trying to forget someone and move on, yet their mind keeps reminding them of that person, making it difficult to move ahead.
The song was released back in 1956 when it quickly became a massive hit. The emotional depth of the lyrics and the melancholy tune appealed to the hearts of many, and it topped the charts in both the US and the UK. To this day, it remains a classic song, and has been covered by various artists, including The Walker Brothers, who had a hit with it in 1967.
Line by Line Meaning
Just walking in the rain
I am aimlessly wandering in the rain without any specific destination.
Getting soaking wet
The rain is drenching me and making me wet.
Torturing my heart by trying to forget
I am trying to forget someone who holds a special place in my heart, but it is causing me immense pain and agony.
Just walking in the rain
I am still walking in the rain without a purpose or direction.
So alone and blue
I am feeling lonely and sad, with nobody to comfort me in my distress.
All because my heart still remembers you
I am feeling this way because I am unable to forget the person who has left a lasting impression on my heart.
People come to their windows,
Onlookers are watching me from their houses.
They always stare at me
They are looking at me with curiosity and intrigue.
Shaking their heads in sorrow
They are sympathizing with me and feeling sorry for my plight.
Saying, Who can that fool be
Some of them are wondering who this foolish person is, wandering in the rain.
Just walking in the rain
I am still aimlessly moving forward without a clear direction.
Thinking how we met
I am reminiscing about the time when we first met and shared special moments together.
Knowing things have changed
I am aware that circumstances have altered, and our relationship will never be the same as before.
Somehow I can't forget
Despite trying hard, I am unable to erase the memories of our time together from my mind forever.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RILEY SNR, ROBERT STANLEY / BRAGG, JOHNNY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dontquestionmyname5490
Just walking in the rain
Getting soaking wet
Torturing my heart
By trying to forget
Just walking in the rain
So alone and blue
All because my heart
Still remembers you
People come to windows
They always stare at me
Shaking their heads in sorrow
Saying, who can that fool be
Just walking in the rain
Thinking how we met
Knowing things could change
Somehow I can't forget
[Instrumental Interlude]
(Just walking in the rain)
(Walking in the rain)
(Walking in the rain)
(Just walking in the rain)
(All day I ....)
People come to their windows
They always stare at me
They're shaking their heads in sorrow
Saying, who can that fool be
(Now who can he be)
Just walking in the rain
(Walking in the rain)
Thinking how we met
(Walking in the rain)
Knowing things could change
(Walking in the rain)
Somehow I can't forget
(Walking in the rain ....)
@rustyhopp
I'm 66 years old, when I was a young teenager, I "discoverd" Johnnie Ray. Other than Dean Martin, Johnnie Ray was the coolest around. I still love his misic. Thanks for posting.
@onichan8385
He's a relative of mine. my grandmother spent a great deal of time with him! I have a lot of original records and even a picture of him with Elvis.
@almanook3005
I read that he was the nicest guy; he didn't have an ego!
@jesusarmenta6181
I was born the day he passed
@patsyspry6248
Are you from Oregon??
@bayleeroderer508
😱🥺😱awesome
@lrodriguez9315
Wheres the proof
@FunBobKickpants
I used to sing along with this tune as a little boy in 1956. My family got a good laugh out of it. This is the first time I've heard it since that time.
@jenniferkay4038
Happy memories from childhood - when I'm out on wet days I play this song in my head and enjoy a sploshy experience. Magic - try it!
@paulpalmtree9295
I dedicate this record to my mum, who sadly passed away on 22 December 2015. Doreen was a big Johnnie Ray fan. I remember mum telling me about the times back in the 1950s, when she would play Johnnie Ray records on the jukebox, in the milk bar, in Northenden, South Manchester. God bless, RIP ❤️.