Original Ukulele: Ray Rayner (copyright-free version)

[kpenn0910]

My thoughts exactly. I wish I could have talked with him once.

[UKISOCIETY]

@kpenn0910 Thanks.

[CriPP1eTiMMy]

Ray Rayner Rocked!

[trainmanKdawg]

Thanks for sharing.

Ray Rayner's death pulls tears because we Realize our own mortality.

awesome Tribute.

[yardking66]

Very nice. My thoughts exactly

[stylerod]

Great tribute. I can't remember the day I found out he died. 5, 6 years ago? I was looking him up on the web just to see if he was still on TV anywhere. There I sat, a 40 year old man, and cried in front of my monitor. He is a great memory of my childhood. I still miss him.

[UKISOCIETY]

@stylerod yup, i did the same thing. cried like a baby. thanks for sharing

[yourworstfantasy69]

My facebook responces:

He speaks the words that are in all our hearts. Great video, Joe. Thanks for sharing with us

Ray Rayner. I loved how he got stuff wrong and made mistakes. He was so human. I think some of the uncling I do may be modeled after him.

[UKISOCIETY]

@Thank you for sharing!

[yourworstfantasy69]

Thank you!!!! I lost it half way......

[UKISOCIETY]

@yourworstfantasy69 Thanks. It was hard to sing it and get through without losing it.

[yourworstfantasy69]

We were the founders of "The Clams" if you remember us. Your song bought back the pure innocence of my childhood. Sitting at the table sneeking more sugar for my Cheerios, watching Mum straighten dads tie as her gives her a parting peck on the cheek... Hurring to finish my cereal so I could finish watching Ray on the "big" 30ish" color tv. I never knew how good we had it in Chicago till it was gone. You & your song have bought many a happy tear to many people. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless

[Kbuhmann1]

I grew up in N.W. Indiana watching Ray. He was sooooo funny and I loved the cartoons. I did a search to see something from his show and found your video. Thanks for the tribute.

[Exie24]

I remember him always posting Slippery Rocks college scores-am I the only one who remembers??

[Underdog77]

I grew up in Dixon, Illinois, and watched Ray Rayner and Friends every single morning, while I ate my cereal. I remember, even at that young age, appreciating that it was one of the rare shows, of a guy just doing his own thing, improvising much of it. It was real, and heartfelt. What great memories.

I wish they wouldn't suppress content of wonderful memories like this. Don't they know that it only helps them to keep the memories alive?

[UKISOCIETY]

@Underdog77 Thanks for sharing your memories. I appreciate it!

[Underdog77]

@UKISOCIETY I forgot to add, I enjoyed your song. Thanks.

[wrostee]

This song is such a sad lament. I grew up with Ray. I grew up in SW Michigan. Every morning before school. Also as Ollie on Bozo. That goes back a ways. Nothing but fond memories. Any way to get a copy of the edition they made you take down. I would love to see it.

[UKISOCIETY]

@wrostee I was only able to find one episode where Ray was doing the show outside. He has the desk, the blackboard and the clock but little else! Thanks for sharing!

[texasboy888]

I have to admit this makes me cry. Iam a man now and my fond memories of those weekday mornings before going to school in Hampshire Illinois I would watch the Ray Rayner show and listen to theme song The Unicorn Song. Brings back strong memories. Iam sadden that those days are gone...when my mom used to make me breakfast before Ide go to school while I would watch this show...I just lost my mother and this video REALLY HURTS ME...Sorry just had to share this.

[UKISOCIETY]

@texasboy888 Thank you for sharing. Memories are bittersweet.

[bozito00]

Well, your song got this old boom-ager blubbering right in front of his wife and kids. And i don't give a darn, they are lucky enough to remember Ray also. My wife used to get mad at the outcome of his projects and the Thanksgiving turkey! My oldest son recalls Ray's TV POW technology. I loved it when he used to get some weird hat or a prop from the closet and pantomime a silly record. I wish I could have told him "bye-bye, bye-bye, bye-byyyyyyyyyyyyyye!!

[UKISOCIETY]

@bozito00 Awesome memories! Thanks for sharing!

[ChinoPisk]

I remember a monkey. I think it's name was Chatter.

[sweetitalianchick]

you're right: WGN is pretty anal about it's copy right protection obsession. I was the "at home player" on Bozo's Circus when the kid hit bucket #6. I went bonkers. I had this pink Big Wheel. mom said I popped a wheelie!

btw: my husband (who was in Iraq from 2003 through '04) shed a tear when he found out about Ray's passing also. I recall in 1988 there was a special called "40 years of WGN". And Ray made an appearance in it from Arizona! :)

[sweetitalianchick]

Local chicago programming was the best. It's such a shame that era is gone. However, my and my other half (now that we live in s.w. Iowa) went to Omaha, NE (an hour's drive) to see the Irish Rovers in concert. In case anyone is unfamiliar with who they are, I refresh: Do you remember the song that opened the segment with R.R. at the Lincoln Park Zoo.??/ It's known as the unicorn song! Ray, may you R.I.P. !!!

[UKISOCIETY]

@sweetitalianchick Thanks for sharing!

[alyssaannodon]

Your song made me cry, time goes by so fast. It's frustrating trying to relate the hilarity of Ray not being able to keep up with Chauncy's fine arts and crafts abilities and nobody knows what I'm talking about. I was born in 1966. Thanks for the memories.

[AmosNomore]

I wonder if Ray didn't mess up those projects deliberately so the clumsy kids at home wouldn't feel so bad. Elmer's glue all over the place.

I also wonder how many Chelvestons there were.

[UKISOCIETY]

@alyssaannodon Thank you. I wish there was an easy way to get some recordings. But WGN hasn't been helpful in that regard.

[krs357]

Thank you.

[mamisaseam]

I was looking for Ray Rayner content, too, when I found this. Living in Wisconsin for the past 25 years, I hadn't heard when Ray Rayner died. He was such a huge part of my childhood! We knew when his show was over it was time to go to the bus stop. I had a Cuddly Duddly, too, and cried so hard when he'd been loved so much by my sisters and me that there was no saving him any longer. I feel so bad for kids, like mine, who don't have a Ray Rayner in their lives. RIP, Ray. You are missed.

[UKISOCIETY]

@mamisaseam Thank you for sharing!!

[hipchickrecords]

very sweet. thanks for the memories!

[UKISOCIETY]

@hipchickrecords Thanks!

[truenorthcompass]

Ray was a staple of kids tv in chicago in the 60's and 70's

It's touching when I read all these kind comments about Ray....heck , I hadn't thought about those old tv shows in years.  Chelveston the Duck, the turtle races...Oliver o Oliver, Officer Pettibone...now I am dating myself!

[UKISOCIETY]

@truenorthcompass yep. we're getting ood!

[DOK1147]

I grew up in Chicago in the 70's and I remember watching for the school closings when it snowed and watching the cartoons while I ate my breakfast before I went to school . This is an excellent tribute to a great person and the memories he made with so many young children over the years he was with us.

[UKISOCIETY]

@DOK1147 Thanks! I forgot about the school closings!

[IlliniPhilly]

Awesome! I loved Ray. Who can forget the White Sox/Cubs hat he would wear? I loved the visits to Cuddly's House...I would sing the song with him every time.

Anyone remember when he would try to draw the US map on his little chalkboard? We'd follow along on our maps at home to see if he was getting it right.

[qtips3]

wow great tribute i grew up on ray and his friends i grew up in bridgeport and me and my friends use to meet at my house every morning to watch him be4 we went to school  GREAT POST TY

[UKISOCIETY]

Cool memory. Thanks for sharing. I usually got to see him up to the Cubs/Sox scores before the bus got to my house.

[kylerott]

Wonderful Tribute. Brought back so many memories. There's certain performers that when they pass you get an empty feeling in your heart. Ray was one of those people for me.

For WGN... two thumbs DOWN for making you remove Ray's images. I know about copyrights & etc, but it's a tribute song. Bet the person that made that decision wasn't even born when Ray was on. WGN share the memories.

[UKISOCIETY]

I don't think any of Ray's shows are even available for purchase. WGN should put some out. Thanks!

[chiefwaz]

Genius and moving.  Thank you! All of Chicagoland thanks you.

[UKISOCIETY]

Thanks. He is missed!

[ghost1stclass]

your song is how i feel still about Ray. They dont come close to making shows like that any more he was a one of a kind and how I wished I still could be 7 again and watch him

[fishroscoe]

Great video... I grew up in the Chicago suburbs and I loved that show. Thanks for the tribute.

[UKISOCIETY]

Thank you for viewing.

[vwlarry]

I cried like a baby the day I heard Ray Rayner died. Thank you for a beautiful tribute to a beautiful human being. :-D

[UKISOCIETY]

Thank you. He was unique.

[vwlarry]

The day I heard Ray Rayner died....I cried.

[harpleblues]

WGN did not have the foresight to save *any* of those old shows. There's maybe a 5 second clip of Garfield Goose. They had all the old video tapes, and in a very smart move one day, they threw them all out. Bozo, Ray Rayner, all of them. Oh well. But we do remember.

[UKISOCIETY]

Thank you.

[alamrob]

Very Nice

[flazmap]

Very nice. I mwt Ray and he made a picture out of my initials. H &S became a yale guy kicking a football thru the uprights. There is one gut still carrying the torch for local tv though, Rich Koz is still bringing it.

[UKISOCIETY]

I grew up with Koz too. Corny but I loved it!

"BERWIN???!!!"

[nomobties]

Very well done. I am 45 and grew up with the shows you mentioned. There is a book out now, locally published that features all Chicago Childrens programs that we grew up on. ( I cant remember the name of the book.) I read it and its companion book on horror shows in Chicago. I really do recommend the book. Great job!!!!!!!

[UKISOCIETY]

I;'ll have to get that book .Thank you!

[chairmanofthebored1]

I loved to watch his show.

[UKISOCIETY]

I miss it so!

[BenAliGtor]

Ray got "started in show biz" when he worked on theatrical productions while he was a prisoner of war after his plane was shot down in WWII. He was held at Stalag Luft III, Sagan, Germany (now Zagan, Poland)- of "the Great Escape" fame. Chelveston the Duck was named after Chelveston, England- the site of his 8th Army Air Force airfield.

[UKISOCIETY]

I bet an autobiography by Ray would have been fascinating.

[amdaol]

Wonderful tribute to Ray. He had a great show and there was not a part of his show that was ever bad. Ray always started my day, getting ready for school. I still have fond memories and I have a Cuddly Duddly next to my bed, even though I'm 46, Cud still keeps me company. I feel sorry for kids now that do not have the great shows that we grew up with, especially the Chicago shows, nothing like them ever again.

[UKISOCIETY]

We had a Cuddly Duddly too. Thanks for sharing!

[bears19]

Yes!! I loved Ray Raynor befdore school! Thanks for this!

[UKISOCIETY]

Every morning! Thanks!

[4687878]

Ukisociety, My name is slim from Chicago, and I loved Ray Rayner too, Garfield Goose and old Bozo! I was born in 1961 and I played blues at the Kingston Mines in Chicago for 20 years! Thanks for the Ray tribute!!!!!

[UKISOCIETY]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing!

[AlwaysWebsurfing]

Sweet Tribute to a great man and a great show. I was looking for links to Ray and Cuddly Dudley and came across your song. Bravo, nice work!

[UKISOCIETY]

Thank you!

[VNRILN]

Like so many of us growing up back in the day in the Chicago area, Ray was a fond memory along with the late Bob Bell.

This is very touching and poignant to the lucky ones from that era. Thanks so much for this.

[UKISOCIETY]

I'm glad you liked it! Thank you!

[menehunenyc]

Awesome tribute!! We had Checkers and Pogo in Hawaii. Every Wednesday they would pick out a lucky kid from the audience and celebrate their un-birthday!! Man you just took me wayyyyyyyyy back, thanks alot.

[UKISOCIETY]

This is great. Thanks for sharing!!

[fourteentwelve]

Very moving tribute Alan. I've never seen Ray Rayner over here, but it sounds like he was pretty special!

[jcspamcan]

Thanks. Ray is a fond memory. My first stuffed animal was Cuddly Dudley.

[UKISOCIETY]

I think we had one too. But my memory's not that good.

[ukeshale]

can't believe wgn weren't flattered more than anything! amazing job - AGAIN.

[uke5417]

A lovely tribute. Something about doing it on the uke makes them especially moving.

btw, Alanfromdarwen does a wonderful one of an English steeplejack/tv personality named Fred Dibnah.

[mjs004]

Very touching song. great job.

[SweepAndMopp]

In Denver we had Blinky the Clown. He was on every Sunday and nobody ever sang Happy Birthday better than him. He's still knocking around Denver running an antique store, but they don't let that type of show onto the airways anymore. Thanks for the song.

[MrMartinTanner]

I remember the expected high temperatures in fractions (mid-to-upper 70's became 77 3/4) and the turtle races!

[pearmanator]

I like your song, I'm sorry that I never got to see Ray Rayner.

[SailQwest]

It sucks that WGN took down the other one! It was so touching. Beautiful job, Alan.

[russbuss415]

how sad that WGN took down your lovely tribute. screw them!

[WhatDoIPlay]

When did you get that uke?

[UKISOCIETY]

This past week. It's acoustic. Sounds great.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Just as good, Alan. Many stars.

KEN

[okvolleyball]

nice job

[deach69]

WGN is the suck!

[UKISOCIETY]

i'm wondering if automated scanners will block this one too...?