Johnnie was from Dallas Oregon . When I met him He told be how badly he was treated in Dallas , partly because of his hearing aids . but he made quite a name for himself despite the cruelty , perhaps being motivated to get out of Dallas was a good thing. He had such a great voice and original style!
Back in the 1950s here in England, until Elvis arrived, together with Frankie Laine and Guy Mitchell, he ruled the record charts. Regards to all his fans. Keep om listening and enjoying. April, 2023.
@@Ann-nv5sm Thanks Ann. We grew up with Johnnie, Frankie Laine and Guy Mitchell. I remember them so well and still enjoy their music. Kind regards, June, 2023.
People have all kinds kinds of personae for public consumption, but Ray impresses me as a genuinely kind and modest man who was grateful for his success and takes neither it nor his audience for granted.
The part where he said you take a picture with fans who want to take a picture was amazing to hear. Stars of today could learn a thing or two about being humble.
And he's from Oregon. Where once as a young man in my early 30s I met the friendliest kindest people. Just like Johnny Ray. But where did all the friendly open kind people of Oregon go. Now that I've been back the people are just not the same it's so sad. RIP Johnny Ray you were genuinely a likeable person and even with stardom you staid humble and kind
Superior soul singer of 50s who influenced and delighted countless people and performers!!! Loved him then and love him now !!! Johnnie’s hearing aids didn’t turn anyone off!!! On the contrary, they were proof of his magnitude!!! Thanks so much for this Star of Prime Magnitude video!!!
I remember as a kid in the '70's, so many stars of entertainments golden-age where still getting up on stage. It seems like they'd be around forever. Johnny Ray was one of the first singers to break the boundaries of the typical crooner, influencing up and coming rock singers.
Johnnie Ray mentions Palumbo's in Philadelphia at the end of his interview. Even at that late date Palumbo's was the landmark dinner and night club in South Philadelphia for top tier talent such as Sinatra and other great crooners of the the day. Apart from the cigarette smoke, I wish places like that which featured singing talent like Johnnie Ray were still around.
Born in 53 and in the 80s went 1ST time to Vegas, with ma. Her favorie place and entering the strip said to her...Ma this place is evil! And she said totally SERIOUSLY AND ENTHUSIASTICALLY, WAIT TIL YOU SEE IT AT NIGHT And I looked up and saw a billboard Johnny was appearing at the Sands and told her WE GOTTA GO She went along with it and there after hearing him sing LETTER OF GOODBYE OR CRY RATHER I hooted and hollered and an older woman turned around and said BOUT TIME YOUNGER PEOPLE APPRECIATE HIM BEST PERFORMANCE I EVER WAS PRIVILEGED TO WITNESS Miss ma and dear Johnny! RIP TO THEM BOTH And everytime I hear it I CRY!
Actually such a tragic story that the musicians are all wearing the headsets not to hear the music, but to protect their hearing from the stage volume necessary for JR to literally hear.
A childhood accident made him deaf in one ear. Apparently surgery was performed on both ears and left both ears compromised. He had to wear hearing aids in both ears for the rest of his life.
Johnnie ray was before my time. He makes me thi k of roy orbison. Where they can take an ordinary song and make it suck you in and you dont know exactly how they do it. Where so many others are about stage presence or fkamboyance or looks or something beside raw siniging talent.
He seems very relaxed here - especially when he stoops down to kiss those ladies. He had loosened up quite a lot - early on he was seeking his path. His voice was still great and it had mellowed quite a bit and there was more ease. Also, the blond hair was an added plus. Still, its sad he died too young.
I’m supposedly named after him, and my grandmother supposedly married him before I was born, but I am not sure about that anymore? Some things are not adding up as i read about him now.
The fact that one of the YT noted these two are two old queens does not make them a homophobe. It’s like you can make fun of everyone but -jews and gays are hands off! Grow up.
Friend of Monroe and Killgallan. Wonder how he survived ? He was in the middle of the coup d'etat/assassination information hurricane 🌀 Interesting stellar pop star he was and made his role in the Marilyn Monroe, Ethel Merman film really count.
I guess you could say that, being that he was arrested several times for soliciting sex from a male undercover police officer, and it was hushed up because it was the 1950s!!
funch357, yes, he was off. He didn't start in the beat with the band. If you watch at the beginning of the song he misses his entry point at the beginning of the song. I think he figured he'd start a measure later and the band would go along, but it didn't work. I think that was the reason he stopped the music at 1:39 and gave kisses to members of the audience.
I had always heard Johnnie Ray was deaf but wasn't sure to what extent. From Wikipedia the following information states: "" At age thirteen, Ray became deaf in his left ear following a mishap that occurred during a Boy Scout ritual called a "blanket toss." In later years, Ray performed wearing a hearing aid. Surgery performed in 1958 left him almost completely deaf in both ears, although hearing aids helped his condition."
JR singing ahead of or behind the beat was a frequent occurrence. His hearing was the reason for that. In many shows with him in Atlantic City in the '80s, the musicians would "go" with JR as to never leave him "hanging" (at my suggestion), so there was never a dull moment. He continued to draw large crowds in Atlantic City.
John 3:16-17 King James Version 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
It seems like william warfield johnnie and roy orbison were to singing what red skelton was to comedy. Where others had to brain their way through things with these 2 tgeir craft came easy and naturally thry dont have to work at it. Theyre unusual.
His performance was kinda sloppy. I believe it could be atributed to the loss of the only woman he ever loved and that of course was Dorothy Killgallen
Yikes he was so awkward and so obviously not interested in the female persuasion. Those poor girls at the beginning seemed so grossed out. He was disgusting. A real creepster. What a freak.
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He broke all box office records at the Palladium and was an absolute sensation.And yes he got a 15 minute standing ovation.
Johnnie was from Dallas Oregon . When I met him He told be how badly he was treated in Dallas , partly because of his hearing aids . but he made quite a name for himself despite the cruelty , perhaps being motivated to get out of Dallas was a good thing. He had such a great voice and original style!
That was Dallas's loss big time...obviously never went back there..
An articulate and modest man whose importance and influence on popular music cannot be ignored...
Offstage, he wasn't flashy at all. If we did not know he was singer - he could have been someone else.
Back in the 1950s here in England, until Elvis arrived, together with Frankie Laine and Guy Mitchell, he ruled the record charts. Regards to all his fans. Keep om listening and enjoying. April, 2023.
I saw him in Birmingham in 1954or5 he was fabulous, still play his records(on cd) to this day. Great entertainer❤
@@Ann-nv5sm Thanks Ann. We grew up with Johnnie, Frankie Laine and Guy Mitchell. I remember them so well and still enjoy their music. Kind regards, June, 2023.
Johnnie was one of the best! My dad was a huge fan! I didn't understand until I was older...... I love him!!!😀😀
My mom knew him. They ran around together as kids. He was my aunt’s cousin. Boy he had an amazing voice!
He's voice has held up quite well. A talented man.
People have all kinds kinds of personae for public consumption, but Ray impresses me as a genuinely kind and modest man who was grateful for his success and takes neither it nor his audience for granted.
The part where he said you take a picture with fans who want to take a picture was amazing to hear. Stars of today could learn a thing or two about being humble.
What a lovely man he was. His talent was outstanding. He had a very distinctive way with a song, so emotional.
Tremendous entertainer. I remember him from the 50’s. How could he be forgotten?
The link between Sinatra and Elvis, Elvis, during one of his live shows pointed him out in the audience and thanked him for his influence.
And he's from Oregon. Where once as a young man in my early 30s I met the friendliest kindest people. Just like Johnny Ray. But where did all the friendly open kind people of Oregon go. Now that I've been back the people are just not the same it's so sad. RIP Johnny Ray you were genuinely a likeable person and even with stardom you staid humble and kind
When did john n ie ray die I too loved him in the fifties and sixties did he ever marry
Superior soul singer of 50s who influenced and delighted countless people and performers!!!
Loved him then and love him now !!!
Johnnie’s hearing aids didn’t turn anyone off!!!
On the contrary, they were proof of his magnitude!!!
Thanks so much for this Star of Prime Magnitude video!!!
I remember as a kid in the '70's, so many stars of entertainments golden-age where still getting up on stage. It seems like they'd be around forever. Johnny Ray was one of the first singers to break the boundaries of the typical crooner, influencing up and coming rock singers.
His influence on punk is there too.
@@darthandeddeu JOHNNIE RAY.
PUNK? YOU MIST BE KIDDING
@@heatherkelly2580 I agree with him. Johnny cracked open the doors for singers getting physical and theatrical on stage. No one did that before.
JOHNNIE FOR PETE'S SAKE
I saw him at the Sahara in Tahoe in around 72. He was great.
FABULOUS SINGER I prefer it when he trails just behind The Beat Wish we had singers like him today,
Before there was Elvis there was Johnnie Ray. Absolute pioneer.
Yes, I like how they say he's the link between Sinatra and Elvis.
He was so great.
Truly.
The arrangement of "Little White Cloud" was really cool, that tempo picked it up nicely, Johnnie wrote that song bless him
I've always enjoy his music, due to my parents.
Johnnie Ray mentions Palumbo's in Philadelphia at the end of his interview. Even at that late date Palumbo's was the landmark dinner and night club in South Philadelphia for top tier talent such as Sinatra and other great crooners of the the day. Apart from the cigarette smoke, I wish places like that which featured singing talent like Johnnie Ray were still around.
inkyguy
Where are you going to find that talent today?
Congratulations!
No more smoking joints and no more bonafide talents !!!
Playback on 1977. Pure gold!
Thanks for uploading this fascinating piece of musical history.
Clive Fuller-Hale a
Gorgeous, Johnnie, bravo!
Hello Dina
Loved Johnny Ray!! Great singer!!❤️
JOHNNIE PLEASE
Despite the terrible band Johnnie Ray did an outstanding job !!!!!!
The band arrangements were awful.
Er hört nicht.
...I tend to agree. The band arrangements were 'uninspiring'...to say the least. Johnnie charmed every one as always...
Thought I was the only one. Yes, indeed ..at no point were they really with him. Let him down....badly
Saw him at bel view Manchester england 1953 brill show
Born in 53 and in the 80s went 1ST time to Vegas, with ma. Her favorie place and entering the strip said to her...Ma this place is evil!
And she said totally SERIOUSLY AND ENTHUSIASTICALLY,
WAIT TIL YOU SEE IT AT NIGHT
And I looked up and saw a billboard Johnny was appearing at the Sands and told her
WE GOTTA GO
She went along with it and there after hearing him sing LETTER OF GOODBYE OR CRY RATHER
I hooted and hollered and an older woman turned around and said
BOUT TIME YOUNGER PEOPLE APPRECIATE HIM
BEST PERFORMANCE I EVER WAS PRIVILEGED TO WITNESS
Miss ma and dear Johnny!
RIP TO THEM BOTH
And everytime I hear it
I CRY!
What a gracious and respectful introduction of Johnnie Ray by Merv Griffin.
Thanks for this video of the outrageous 50s sensational performer!!!
God, I love this!!!
Actually such a tragic story that the musicians are all wearing the headsets not to hear the music, but to protect their hearing from the stage volume necessary for JR to literally hear.
A childhood accident made him deaf in one ear. Apparently surgery was performed on both ears and left both ears compromised. He had to wear hearing aids in both ears for the rest of his life.
He had a good voice, one which lent itself to the songs he performed.
HAD !!
@@raymondcurry2278 Nothing is forever, and that includes you.
I fell in love with Johnnie the first time I laid eyes on him
Best version of 'Little White Cloud' in my opinion.
I'm happy more of Merv's show videos are here now.
Good Video! Thanks!
Very cool piece of music and television history.
FANTASTIC entertainer not like the crap TODAY
I wish I could sing like that
remember him well
i love you dad
legend
Johnnie ray was before my time. He makes me thi k of roy orbison. Where they can take an ordinary song and make it suck you in and you dont know exactly how they do it. Where so many others are about stage presence or fkamboyance or looks or something beside raw siniging talent.
The father of rock and roll. ♥️
He seems very relaxed here - especially when he stoops down to kiss those ladies. He had loosened up quite a lot - early on he was seeking his path. His voice was still great and it had mellowed quite a bit and there was more ease. Also, the blond hair was an added plus. Still, its sad he died too young.
MISS U BB.....
LUCKY GIRL
I'm surprised no one mentioned Arnold Schwarzenegger sitting to Johnny's left
The day Johnnie Ray died That was the day I felt older
early rock and roll type hard vocals for 1952.if he had joe Perry guitar he would sound like arrowsmith.
I’m supposedly named after him, and my grandmother supposedly married him before I was born, but I am not sure about that anymore? Some things are not adding up as i read about him now.
He resembles larry shut that door grayson.its the blue suit and his moves.who copyed who.johnny has some voice fantastic
Wonderful. Two old Queens having a 'goss'.
typical homophobe
Hah😂. Intersting observation.
The fact that one of the YT noted these two are two old queens does not make them a homophobe. It’s like you can make fun of everyone but -jews and gays are hands off! Grow up.
Lara Maui what a bigot you are.
No need for the label. Until people liked you started applying labels, I did not know about his life style -----and why do I need to?
The fellow guest named Arnold was Schwarzenegger?
Friend of Monroe and Killgallan. Wonder how he survived ? He was in the middle of the coup d'etat/assassination information hurricane 🌀 Interesting stellar pop star he was and made his role in the Marilyn Monroe, Ethel Merman film really count.
Daho l'aime pop ! Les années 70 séléctionné Etienne Daho par Etienne Daho, l'intégralé l Archive INA
who are the other people on the show
Check out my Johnnie Ray ~ "The Nabob Of Sob" ~ The Johnnie Ray Fan Page.
Mr. Agony, The Prince Of Wails.
Did Merv and JR ever date each other behing the celluloid closet?
I thought Johnnie Ray only ever existed in black and white.
Omg Kerry was definitely his son! #twininem
He was quite the odd fellow.
The best often are.
I guess you could say that, being that he was arrested several times for soliciting sex from a male undercover police officer, and it was hushed up because it was the 1950s!!
Is it just me or is his singing out of sync with the band up til he stops around 1:43?
funch357, yes, he was off. He didn't start in the beat with the band. If you watch at the beginning of the song he misses his entry point at the beginning of the song. I think he figured he'd start a measure later and the band would go along, but it didn't work. I think that was the reason he stopped the music at 1:39 and gave kisses to members of the audience.
I had always heard Johnnie Ray was deaf but wasn't sure to what extent. From Wikipedia the following information states: "" At age thirteen, Ray became deaf in his left ear following a mishap that occurred during a Boy Scout ritual called a "blanket toss." In later years, Ray performed wearing a hearing aid. Surgery performed in 1958 left him almost completely deaf in both ears, although hearing aids helped his condition."
YES and sometimes it's annoying All these songs should be more laid back trailing the beat slightly
JR singing ahead of or behind the beat was a frequent occurrence. His hearing was the reason for that. In many shows with him in Atlantic City in the '80s, the musicians would "go" with JR as to never leave him "hanging" (at my suggestion), so there was never a dull moment. He continued to draw large crowds in Atlantic City.
John 3:16-17
King James Version
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Johnny Ray was the messiah? I always suspected it.
NOT BANNED YET SHOCK SHOCK HORRIR HORROR
Oh the good old days when you could get away with that shit.
Sort of weird when he dropped into the audience .
a bit creepy actually...
Tradução É FUNDAMENTAL...OK
It seems like william warfield johnnie and roy orbison were to singing what red skelton was to comedy. Where others had to brain their way through things with these 2 tgeir craft came easy and naturally thry dont have to work at it. Theyre unusual.
Shame he never asked the one question many want to know ,is he the father of Dorothy Kilgallen son Kerrey .
He was married to Dorothy Kilgallon,
The bit with the ladies in the audience was hilarious... Johnny Ray was a gay.
So was Merv.
@@women65andover Yes… very swishy.
That’s right, he was NOT gay. He was A gay. Big distinction there. If you’re Pinhead Larry
@@porgytirebiter7848 I’m gay, it’s a disposition. I’m a man, I’m gay, I’m a gay man, but I’m not ‘a gay’🙄
Dorothy Kilgarren had a "torrid affair" with him. Marilyn also wanted him.
YOU TUBE BAN ME I DON'T GIVE A FLYING F FOR YOUR COMMUNTIY GUIDE LINES
1:42 - That would no fly today.
Actually, I thought JOHNNIE RAY was far superior to ELVIS!!!! Johnnie seemed more complete.
His performance was kinda sloppy. I believe it could be atributed to the loss of the only woman he ever loved and that of course was Dorothy Killgallen
Very Bidenesque lol. Maybe Joe was big fan too?
Yikes he was so awkward and so obviously not interested in the female persuasion. Those poor girls at the beginning seemed so grossed out. He was disgusting. A real creepster. What a freak.
He made history despite being partially deaf and gay. Elvis admired him. He was a fantastic performer.
No chemistry with the ladies
T