why cant folks just enjoy this fine site and thank youtube insead of bashing remember when gay simply meant you were happy. we are supposed to be grown up
This hit, Just Walking in the Rain, by Johnny Ray was the 19th #1 song in the United Kingdom of the Rock Era. It was also the last #1 hit of 1956. What will the music scene be like in the UK in 1957? We will see.
"just walking in the rain"is a song that is engraved in my memory forever...my sister made sure of that by playing it again and again...and in those days i had no say on that or for that matter on anything...
Looked this up because my Dad said he remembered it from when he was about 7 years old in the refugee camps, some guy played this non-stop. LOL. Amazing.
@stirre00 When this came out in 1956, Johnnie had been a big hit with the Bobbie Sox crowd for a number of years but this recording is what made me a Johnnie Ray fan. He had , I think, better recordings in the late fifties than he ever had in the early fifties.
Talent without marketing. Why are there no true artists today? Just blatant marketing products with no sign of talent. Let's all go back to the good 'ole days.
@TheRogerdee Go Back, My wife says I never left it. My record collection is almost all from the early fifties, plus I have a good size Movie and TV tapes from that same period and if I could aford it I'd be driving a 1954 Hudson Hornet. I don't even own a Cell Phone, Life in the fifties was so less complicated we all knew who we were no one had to find themselfs and we didn't need the government to tell us how to lead our lives.
No sabía el nombre de este artista. Sólo conocía el tema cuando sonaba por la radio. Gran artista este Johnnie Ray. Me puse a buscar otros temazos que llevó al estrellato este gran intérprete. Genial el tema Cry. Un verdadero crack. Gracias
Am loving Johnnie Ray - ! LOVE the dirt on him - switch-hitting, practically deaf, stiff delivery - it's all gravy. Love the "keyhole" shot, and the pedestrian ballet behind him - brilliant. Thank you for posting this!
nice classic ballad. My boss was 10 trs. older than me, she grew up in 50's.when Johny R. passed she remarked how good a singer he was. "Walking my baby back home"
@BipolarPics I just finished his bio and in the late 1950s, Johnny had surgery on his ears which was unsuccessful causing almost full hearing loss in the left ear and partial loss in the right. Trying to avoid the appearance of playing for sympathy, he would lie and say that the surgery was a miraculous success. Quite sad....
@BipolarPics I just finished his bio and in the late 1950s, Johnny had surgery on his ears which was unsuccessful causing almost full hearing loss in the left ear and partial loss in the right. Trying to avoid the appearance of playing for sympathy, he would lie and say that the surgery was a miraculous success. Quite sad....
Still remember Johnny Ray as a kid, my father had the song on a grammophone- hard disk, till my sister sat on it. for ever in my heart a beautiful song about love sadness. Thanks for posting it..
@CoolFreeHardBop I never thought that Johnnie had a great voice or even a good one. But what he could do with what he had was remarkable. Outside of Frankie Laine, I don't think anyone could put more feeling and soul into a song than he could. I was just becoming a teenager when he made it with "CRY", but I think he got better
when his popularity started to fade. I don't think there will ever be another like him.
@sprROINGG Yes I have heard about this Gateway Bridge to "Rock' N' Roll" . But the period between the fall of the Big Bands and the start of "Rock 'N Roll" and Presley (1945 -54 or 55) was full of great singers that bridged that gape. Which is a shame as I think this period was the greatest in music history. I met Presley while in the Army back in 58 or 59, he loved the music of that period also and he said that when he got out he was going to do more of that type songs.
I love all the old Johnny Ray tracks and remember him as a kid on TV. But looking at this old footage I did not realise what really large ears he had, Lol.
I remember seing Frankie Lane and Johnnie Ray in the 50 s frankie lane at the chaud and johnnie same place or maybe the standish hall in hull qué i was about 12 or 14 my father was working at both place great music when music was music.........
What a fantastic performance....what a voice...wish he was still around to entertain us in this crazy world of "Rap"....Music was the greatest back in his time.
I'm so glad I found this gem, plus links to other Johnnie Rae songs. I was 11 in 1956, but this song stuck around for years. I can fully appreciate now how good he was. I spoke to him on the telephone one time as I was a friend of an agent he knew well. Fascinating!
I loved Johnny Ray. I remember the 78 records that I would play on the record player. I loved this one, Cry and the Little white Cloud that cried the best.
Rock on gently to this classic -- reminds me of my dad's tunes on the 50's jukebox. Getting misty and love it! How times have "evolved?" re: music/lyrics/artists!
This brings back loads of memories for me of my time in the army I used to play all the time on the duke box in the N.A.A.F.I. BAR Churchill Barracks in Lippstadt West Germany as it was at time. I was severing with 27 REG'T RA in the summer of 1973 those were the good days then.
This brings back loads of memories for me of my time in the army I used to play all the time on the duke box in the N.A.A.F.I. BAR Churchill Barracks in Lippstadt West Germany as it was at time. I was severing with 27 REG'T RA in the summer of 1973 those were the good days then
I suppose Johnny Ray was the first Stage Performer when other pop stars were stationary in one spot singers....But he & Frankie Laine ruled the JukeBox airways for the Early Teds...Then along came the Greatest thing to ever or will ever hit Pop Music ... Rock n Roll with Rock Around the Clock First ;Then Elvis Heartbreak Hotel & the rest that just swept in Elvis was Ultimate Performer ; Roy O "the Voice" ; Jerry Lee "The Rebel" ;; Gene Vincent "the Rocker" Many More .. Great Times & Memories
What a performance!!! I especially like the second song "If I had You". Never herd him sing that one before. He was a true jazz singer and one of the best. He has never gotten his due credit.
Uncle jonnie never lived so bright than that night . Great song, Great voice. Long live Uncle Johnnie Ray. He is survived by My father Randal C. Ray. Salem Oregon.
Your uncle was one of a kind. I wasn't a fan of his before he made this recording. But my favoried Ray song was one that never was a hit "No Wedding Tonight"
@drakeboorer I impersonated J-Ray singing CRY in a show in Tacoma, WA, in 1991. It was a challenge and a treat to emulate him to the best of my abilities. I understand Billie Holiday's song-stylings influenced his own. Is that true?
@drakeboorer I impersonated J-Ray singing CRY in a show in Tacoma, WA, in 1991. It was a challenge and a treat to emulate him to the best of my abilities. I understand Billie Holiday's song-stylings influenced his own. Is that true?
@drakeboorer I fell in love with Johnny in 1956 when I was 11 years old. There was a local record shop where I found his album, "Johnny Ray Sings the Big Beat". I played it all the time. Many years later, toward the end of his career, I was able to see him in person in Cleveland, OH. Since that was the first album of his I bought, I took it for him autograph. He was very gracious.
I just wanted to tell you how much I loved your Uncle Johnnie's songs. No one one could belt one out like Johnnie Ray. I used to sneak my Mom's 78's and play them when she went next door. I am now 62 and I still love his songs, and I can sing along word for word. Thank you for posting him singing.
I just heard of Johnnie Ray for the first time today when I hears a Howard Stern recording of Paul Anka telling a story of when Johnnie Ray tried to get close to Paul Anka. Very interesting story. -- Cocky Chambers, Village TV
my grandmother actually wrote this song in the early 50's,she answered an ad for buying songs in a newspaper,she wrote the lyrics,and the whistling music also. Of course once she sent it in it was the record co.'s property,but I still think about what she could have made if they would have shared. I think one of my aunts still has the original copies she made.
@Mr429bbf If you're referring to the first song 'Just Walkin' In The Rain' then your grandmother didn't write it. It was written by Johnny Bragg and Robert Riley, two prison inmates. Bragg had composed two verses. However, because Bragg was unable to read and write, he asked Riley to write the lyrics down in exchange for being credited as one of the song's writers. Bragg and his band, The Prisonaires, later recorded the song for Sun Records and it became a hit on the R&B chart in 1953.
Both drugs and boose pluse his sex life which they called in thoes day as being a switch hitter which did not go down well with the fans of the fifties.
However. . Johnnie never got a chance much to explain his nature. Never did he have a spotlight for his personal thoughts. He olny had his music. Gather, he only had ? songs writen by his mouth. and yet Morrissey is one of the singers I trust knows his Voice I will say, Strange Simailarites are not with David Bowie. Johnie has More in common with Morrissey. 512-573-7416 ask for Michael strange . son of Randy RAY. I will tell you the truth.
The title of that song is "If I Had You" I can find no record of him ever making a recording of this song in the U.S.. But I heard that he did record it in England in the 60's.
@Corssair2012 Must be some older crooner/singer/rapper you can get with, son.I can think of several who would do, and thank you for your interest. But Johnny's gone.
I feel sory for you kids, you are missing out on a lot of things that we had fifty or so years ago. Everthing wasn't perfect back in the fifties but and life wasn't as easy as today but that is the problem. I don't remember anyone in my generation talk about being bored. My Grand Kids
have everthing you can buy, but they really have nothing. I wouldn't traid places with them.
If you had read some of the comments before yours, you would have found out that git as you call him is just one of the biggest singers of the 1950's. That's Frankie Laine and this was his TV show.
Johnnie bought me my first bottle of champagne on my birthday. The day he showed me his star in front and west of the Pantages, he was just as a little kid. The day we lost him, I'd lost contact of his family, Chuch J., Lilly T & Jane W., June W, etc., so being in San Marino in real estate, I cancelled all my appts and at 3:20PM was standing over his star as they'd not allow me in at Cedars-Sinai. His obit says he made his transition at 3:25 that day... I miss you Johnnie, DonStM
Johnny Ray was, and still is my Hero. When I was 19 I tried to sing his song Cry where ever there was a possibility. Now 66 years of age, I'm singing Standards in my own Jazz Combo and still want to sing Cry, but the other guys don't want to play it. Maybe when we put a little swing in it?
I just wanted to say that Cry is still a very good song.
You said that it was your Jazz Combo, so tell them to play it or hit the road. But really not everyone could sing this song. Only two singers that tried I thought did a great job. Johnnie's and the version that came out at the same time by Georgia Gibbs. Georgia version was completly different than Johnnies. Other versions by Christal Gale or Ronnie Dove just so so at best.
Johnny Ray had some beautiful songs. Love The Little White Cloud that Cried. He put such total feeling into each song as did Frankie Lane and another of my favorites Harry Belafonte. The singers from that period were and still are to my way of thinking the best. The songs made a bit more sense at that time too. Would like to correspond with anyone that feels the same way. Thanks for bringing these back for pure pleasure. God bless.
Thanks for having access to so many of my old favorites. I grew up with these. My dad used to sing these and play them on the piano. See that you have one large collections. Guy Mitchell I have not heard of since "Hit Parade". Rosemary Clooney and the rest are classics, my daughters love them as much as I do. Words meant something then. Thanks and God bless.
Your very welcome. My tase in music run almost all to the early fifties singers. After Frankie Laine and Vaughn Monroe, Johnnie was my favorited singer. But I didn't like him till this song came out.
i heard he fell with a straw that went into his ear as a child..im only 35 years old but im a bass player and a life long lover of the history of music..people forget JR was before elvis....i find his life facinating..ive always been curious about his relationship with columnist dorothy kilgallen (whats my line panalist):)
When he was a boy at summer camp, he was being tossed up in the air on a blanket by other kids. One time he missed the blanket and hit the ground hard. He was poked in the ear by a stick or something sharp. This is how he lost his hearing.
Yes he had a thing with Dorthy and her husband knew it and didn't care. The story was that Johnnie was gay but I guess he was what you might call a switch hiter.
Guys like that weren't switch hitters, they were just gay and trying to get under the radar by having affairs with women to fool the masses. Just the way it was and thank the Lord it ain't that way no more.
No it was not his biggest hit, his biggest hit came in 1951 when it came in at #1. It was only his 2d recording. It sold almost 3 million recordings that year. "Just Walking In The Rain" Hit #2 (For one week) in 1956.
Vuelvo a mis 17 años. Inolvidable Johnnie!!!!
FeddeCarp 1 week ago in playlist YouTube Mix for Johnnie Ray
why cant folks just enjoy this fine site and thank youtube insead of bashing remember when gay simply meant you were happy. we are supposed to be grown up
mrwarmth100 2 weeks ago in playlist very old
This hit, Just Walking in the Rain, by Johnny Ray was the 19th #1 song in the United Kingdom of the Rock Era. It was also the last #1 hit of 1956. What will the music scene be like in the UK in 1957? We will see.
mkl62 2 weeks ago
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"just walking in the rain"is a song that is engraved in my memory forever...my sister made sure of that by playing it again and again...and in those days i had no say on that or for that matter on anything...
besamemucho5 2 weeks ago
Go, Johnnie, go!
JohnnyLackland 3 weeks ago
rekindled are my songs from my early days love them
SuperJoyce41 1 month ago
he was deaf?
jaylinn1956 1 month ago in playlist favorites
@jaylinn1956 Yes he was deaf due to a childhood accident. and two botched operations in the fifties made it worse.
markalson1938 1 month ago
he got so put down cause he was gay and deaf today he would be a superstar with such a voice and lyrics
dodgeydave68 2 months ago
I could sit and listen to Johnnie Ray all day
1summero 2 months ago
They don't make them like this anymore--pure talent...
sunny42519 2 months ago 5
@sunny42519 Your right, it's a shame what they call talent today
markalson1938 2 months ago
Looked this up because my Dad said he remembered it from when he was about 7 years old in the refugee camps, some guy played this non-stop. LOL. Amazing.
Kalanag01 3 months ago
sehr tolles lied.
TheRegelblutung 3 months ago
my mother (auntie may ) showed me all about good music cheers ma xxx
clanlucas34 4 months ago
I'd only heard 3 Johnny Ray songs previous to visiting this sight. No wonder people love the net, you can find all sorts of treasures.
bushstones 5 months ago
I really like this :) !
stirre00 5 months ago 2
@stirre00 When this came out in 1956, Johnnie had been a big hit with the Bobbie Sox crowd for a number of years but this recording is what made me a Johnnie Ray fan. He had , I think, better recordings in the late fifties than he ever had in the early fifties.
markalson1938 5 months ago
A Great singer, shame there is no more Jonnie Ray.
Thanks for the memories..
1952emirates 6 months ago
Talent without marketing. Why are there no true artists today? Just blatant marketing products with no sign of talent. Let's all go back to the good 'ole days.
TheRogerdee 6 months ago 11
@TheRogerdee Go Back, My wife says I never left it. My record collection is almost all from the early fifties, plus I have a good size Movie and TV tapes from that same period and if I could aford it I'd be driving a 1954 Hudson Hornet. I don't even own a Cell Phone, Life in the fifties was so less complicated we all knew who we were no one had to find themselfs and we didn't need the government to tell us how to lead our lives.
markalson1938 6 months ago
No sabía el nombre de este artista. Sólo conocía el tema cuando sonaba por la radio. Gran artista este Johnnie Ray. Me puse a buscar otros temazos que llevó al estrellato este gran intérprete. Genial el tema Cry. Un verdadero crack. Gracias
surulayo 7 months ago
Love the macs, love the song, love the whistling!
ronninj 7 months ago
Am loving Johnnie Ray - ! LOVE the dirt on him - switch-hitting, practically deaf, stiff delivery - it's all gravy. Love the "keyhole" shot, and the pedestrian ballet behind him - brilliant. Thank you for posting this!
3devv4 7 months ago
Wow. Special man..was he gay?
joelarama 8 months ago
@joelarama Johnnie was what we used to call a "Switch Hitter" He had affairs on both sides of the fence.
markalson1938 8 months ago
@markalson1938 i had a feeling that was so.
chyman 7 months ago
@joelarama i don't see why that would matter.
moviesitara 7 months ago
@joelarama y would you think that? just wondering.. :)
bebedalia 7 months ago
@joelarama, yes he was gay. My lover knew him. He was gay all day.
ampdavolts 4 months ago
Comment removed
johnnyray1717 4 months ago
This was played at my Nan's funeral today :( She loved it x
daniellelder 8 months ago 2
nice classic ballad. My boss was 10 trs. older than me, she grew up in 50's.when Johny R. passed she remarked how good a singer he was. "Walking my baby back home"
playboatify 9 months ago 2
Grande João
Beautifull!
roberto5521 9 months ago
One of the greatest voice ever. Loved this man and his music. He will live forever.
skipper8257 9 months ago 3
Wait a minute. I saw a clip of Johnny Ray with his hearing aid in his OTHER ear. What's going on?
BipolarPics 9 months ago 2
@BipolarPics Johnny Ray's hearing was bad in both ears. Sometimes when he wasn't on stages he wore one in each ear.
markalson1938 9 months ago 6
@markalson1938 I didn't know that. I was just thinking, " I didn't know they had 'in-ear' monitors back then". Thanks for the info'.
MrBowsmith 9 months ago
@BipolarPics I just finished his bio and in the late 1950s, Johnny had surgery on his ears which was unsuccessful causing almost full hearing loss in the left ear and partial loss in the right. Trying to avoid the appearance of playing for sympathy, he would lie and say that the surgery was a miraculous success. Quite sad....
kirktucci 8 months ago 3
@BipolarPics I just finished his bio and in the late 1950s, Johnny had surgery on his ears which was unsuccessful causing almost full hearing loss in the left ear and partial loss in the right. Trying to avoid the appearance of playing for sympathy, he would lie and say that the surgery was a miraculous success. Quite sad....
kirktucci 8 months ago 3
@BipolarPics : good call. BUT he just restored my faith in the key change for pop songs.
quad1000 8 months ago
Still remember Johnny Ray as a kid, my father had the song on a grammophone- hard disk, till my sister sat on it. for ever in my heart a beautiful song about love sadness. Thanks for posting it..
emy601000 10 months ago 2
WOW! What a great performer Johnnie was! His voice is just as good as Sinatra IMHO and he doesn't seem as egotistical as Frank...
CoolFreeHardBop 11 months ago 4
@CoolFreeHardBop I never thought that Johnnie had a great voice or even a good one. But what he could do with what he had was remarkable. Outside of Frankie Laine, I don't think anyone could put more feeling and soul into a song than he could. I was just becoming a teenager when he made it with "CRY", but I think he got better
when his popularity started to fade. I don't think there will ever be another like him.
markalson1938 11 months ago
The man had incredible stage presence. He is considered by many to be the gateway bridge to Elvis Presley.
sprROINGG 11 months ago 9
@sprROINGG Yes I have heard about this Gateway Bridge to "Rock' N' Roll" . But the period between the fall of the Big Bands and the start of "Rock 'N Roll" and Presley (1945 -54 or 55) was full of great singers that bridged that gape. Which is a shame as I think this period was the greatest in music history. I met Presley while in the Army back in 58 or 59, he loved the music of that period also and he said that when he got out he was going to do more of that type songs.
markalson1938 11 months ago 3
I'm 2 years old and I love this music, I deserve my 1,000 thumbs up.
TheWalrusOfLife 11 months ago
@TheWalrusOfLife You have good taste for a 2 yr old write pretty good also
markalson1938 11 months ago 2
@markalson1938 Yep, I'm just not your typical 2-year-old that listens to the Wiggles and stuff like that.
TheWalrusOfLife 11 months ago
I remember watching this and I saw Johnnie at the London Palladium RIP
SuperBoltonfan 11 months ago
I remember Johnny Ray when I was very young we all tried to copy his style then rock n roll came and we were lost Great days indeed
ipingault 11 months ago 2
johnnie is great but hahaha @broby2 even tho my dad loved his voice
scotland knows
rabblue 11 months ago
johnnie is great but hahaha @broby2 even tho my dad loved his voice
rabblue 11 months ago
I grew up in his hometown. Funny guy but not bad sounding. I always thought the only thing Dallas produced was pregnant teens and bars....
broby2 11 months ago
skill
Barcount 11 months ago
Good old times! We are planning a tribute to Paul Anka tour. Watch the songs on my channel and feel free to comment.
vivalasvegasshow 1 year ago
Thanks, Markalson! They did a really good job of duplicating the background on the record!
wb12337 1 year ago
These two songs seem to have been sung live here, probably to pre-recorded accompaniment. Does anybody know for sure?
He was very special!
wb12337 1 year ago
@wb12337 These songs were record live on "The Frankie Laine Show" in 1957. A live orchestra was used no Caned music were used in those days.
markalson1938 1 year ago
I love all the old Johnny Ray tracks and remember him as a kid on TV. But looking at this old footage I did not realise what really large ears he had, Lol.
critch1901 1 year ago
i am convinced, that 8 people missed the like button.
dissy1994 1 year ago
Just discovered Jonny Ray. Nice singing voice. And, wow....never seen such big ears on a guy? serious. lol. ok, mean no disrepect though.
SeboZax7 1 year ago
@SeboZax7 Shht! He'll hear you.
Dikwerf 1 year ago
Happy birthday
beulahethel 1 year ago
One-of-a-kind voice, that Johnnie Ray...
1956MercM260 1 year ago
You know im 16 years old and i kinda like this song
kne100 1 year ago
just wonderful
coraflange 1 year ago
I remember seing Frankie Lane and Johnnie Ray in the 50 s frankie lane at the chaud and johnnie same place or maybe the standish hall in hull qué i was about 12 or 14 my father was working at both place great music when music was music.........
jpblues69 1 year ago
What a fantastic performance....what a voice...wish he was still around to entertain us in this crazy world of "Rap"....Music was the greatest back in his time.
2egypt 1 year ago
Toora-loora-toora-loo-rye-aye!
fearthegeeklord 1 year ago
I am fascinated by this man. He seems conflicted...
susankhamilton 1 year ago
as a teenager in the fiftiesI saw Johnny Ray live in concert when he toured Britain I was thrilled and remember it still
cliftonbird 1 year ago
I'm so glad I found this gem, plus links to other Johnnie Rae songs. I was 11 in 1956, but this song stuck around for years. I can fully appreciate now how good he was. I spoke to him on the telephone one time as I was a friend of an agent he knew well. Fascinating!
ealo11 1 year ago 2
I loved Johnny Ray. I remember the 78 records that I would play on the record player. I loved this one, Cry and the Little white Cloud that cried the best.
pamkayvan 1 year ago
Rock on gently to this classic -- reminds me of my dad's tunes on the 50's jukebox. Getting misty and love it! How times have "evolved?" re: music/lyrics/artists!
fraupants 1 year ago
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This brings back loads of memories for me of my time in the army I used to play all the time on the duke box in the N.A.A.F.I. BAR Churchill Barracks in Lippstadt West Germany as it was at time. I was severing with 27 REG'T RA in the summer of 1973 those were the good days then.
fatboyjoe90 1 year ago
This brings back loads of memories for me of my time in the army I used to play all the time on the duke box in the N.A.A.F.I. BAR Churchill Barracks in Lippstadt West Germany as it was at time. I was severing with 27 REG'T RA in the summer of 1973 those were the good days then
fatboyjoe90 1 year ago
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I worked with Johnnie Ray at the Fairmont went I sang with the house band and he was a tremendous talent and a truly great guy!
Bingsboy 1 year ago
I worked with Johnnie Ray at the Fairmont went I sang with the house band and he was a tremendous talent and a truly great guy.
Bingsboy 1 year ago 3
incredible high definition video
lol jk
awesome song though
admiralwacky 1 year ago
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I suppose Johnny Ray was the first Stage Performer when other pop stars were stationary in one spot singers....But he & Frankie Laine ruled the JukeBox airways for the Early Teds...Then along came the Greatest thing to ever or will ever hit Pop Music ... Rock n Roll with Rock Around the Clock First ;Then Elvis Heartbreak Hotel & the rest that just swept in Elvis was Ultimate Performer ; Roy O "the Voice" ; Jerry Lee "The Rebel" ;; Gene Vincent "the Rocker" Many More .. Great Times & Memories
1950sTeddyboy 1 year ago
The whistling is too loud. It ruins the song.
lucky8274 1 year ago
@lucky8274 You are an IDIOT!
okie358 1 year ago
Johnny Ray had some Beautiful Songs. Love The Little White Cloud that Cried. He put such total feeling into each song as did Frankie Lane
sessnazx 1 year ago
as good now as it ever was, he was pure class
wilspin01 1 year ago
yeahhhh boffff just best song!!!! lalalala
MrFdoors 1 year ago
even though this was way before my time theres just something about his voice and his music that i love so much
LadyHarbinger 1 year ago
What a performance!!! I especially like the second song "If I had You". Never herd him sing that one before. He was a true jazz singer and one of the best. He has never gotten his due credit.
loverofcountry506070 1 year ago
soy suficientemente viejo para recordar estos exitos y volverlos a vivirlos aun con gusto y alegria.
adolfo3039 1 year ago
Johnny Ray was quite deaf and just look at his hearing aid. Great singer and part of the rock'n'roll history.
parrylynn 1 year ago
O M Goodness... I REMEMBER this song, and it camewas on the charts on 1956.. FIFTY FOUR YEARS AGO!!! Where'd the time go?
sparwood8 1 year ago
Definitely one of my favorite singers. Loved his voice and stage presence. A one of a kind. We will never hear a voice like Johnnys again.
skipper8257 1 year ago 2
Uncle jonnie never lived so bright than that night . Great song, Great voice. Long live Uncle Johnnie Ray. He is survived by My father Randal C. Ray. Salem Oregon.
drakeboorer 1 year ago 23
@drakeboorer
Your uncle was one of a kind. I wasn't a fan of his before he made this recording. But my favoried Ray song was one that never was a hit "No Wedding Tonight"
markalson1938 1 year ago 4
@drakeboorer You have every right to be proud of your uncle!
dkfelix 1 year ago
@drakeboorer I impersonated J-Ray singing CRY in a show in Tacoma, WA, in 1991. It was a challenge and a treat to emulate him to the best of my abilities. I understand Billie Holiday's song-stylings influenced his own. Is that true?
JasonGanwich 1 year ago
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@drakeboorer I impersonated J-Ray singing CRY in a show in Tacoma, WA, in 1991. It was a challenge and a treat to emulate him to the best of my abilities. I understand Billie Holiday's song-stylings influenced his own. Is that true?
JasonGanwich 1 year ago
@drakeboorer Our mum (RIP) Loved Johnnie Wray. Thank you. Paul, Clare, Mark - England.
foriamonlyahorse11 1 year ago
@drakeboorer I fell in love with Johnny in 1956 when I was 11 years old. There was a local record shop where I found his album, "Johnny Ray Sings the Big Beat". I played it all the time. Many years later, toward the end of his career, I was able to see him in person in Cleveland, OH. Since that was the first album of his I bought, I took it for him autograph. He was very gracious.
wayneboatwright 1 year ago
@drakeboorer
I just wanted to tell you how much I loved your Uncle Johnnie's songs. No one one could belt one out like Johnnie Ray. I used to sneak my Mom's 78's and play them when she went next door. I am now 62 and I still love his songs, and I can sing along word for word. Thank you for posting him singing.
pamkayvan 1 year ago
@drakeboorer Man, your uncle could sing
thedoowopden 1 year ago
@drakeboorer Your uncle was one of my mom's favorite in the 1950s.
He was the forerunner of Elvis for a lot of youngsters in the early 50s.
BRUC2016 1 year ago
put jonny ray on, who's this?! its jonny ray, good choice :')
lewakochelsea 1 year ago
I just heard of Johnnie Ray for the first time today when I hears a Howard Stern recording of Paul Anka telling a story of when Johnnie Ray tried to get close to Paul Anka. Very interesting story. -- Cocky Chambers, Village TV
villagegaytv 1 year ago
"If I Had You" - I have this song on a cd
titled "Til Morning/A Sinner Am I. You can find it on line. This cd has some great songs - recorded around 1959.
MSTUBBY240 1 year ago
OMG I haven't heard this in almost 50 years!!!! Fantabulous !!!!!! TenStarsplus !!!!!!!!
BigDuckKetterer 1 year ago 4
i guessss for me it's just about the music.thumbs up!
nomiclas 2 years ago
Put johny ray on.
jordanmahonboi 2 years ago
johnny has a strange incantation in his voice like hed been voodooed
imaguy817 2 years ago
my grandmother actually wrote this song in the early 50's,she answered an ad for buying songs in a newspaper,she wrote the lyrics,and the whistling music also. Of course once she sent it in it was the record co.'s property,but I still think about what she could have made if they would have shared. I think one of my aunts still has the original copies she made.
Mr429bbf 2 years ago 12
@Mr429bbf If you're referring to the first song 'Just Walkin' In The Rain' then your grandmother didn't write it. It was written by Johnny Bragg and Robert Riley, two prison inmates. Bragg had composed two verses. However, because Bragg was unable to read and write, he asked Riley to write the lyrics down in exchange for being credited as one of the song's writers. Bragg and his band, The Prisonaires, later recorded the song for Sun Records and it became a hit on the R&B chart in 1953.
TheMG63 5 months ago
'Put Johnnie Ray on' Rock & Chips lol
whufclewis06 2 years ago
Lol, I like Johnnie Ray
SimonBunker 2 years ago
What happened to his career after Elvis came on the scene?
dalesguy 2 years ago
Johnny had some good size hits including this one after Elvis. What side tracked him was more to do with his personal life.
markalson1938 2 years ago
Do tell markalson. Was he a drinker?
mustangcharger 2 years ago
Both drugs and boose pluse his sex life which they called in thoes day as being a switch hitter which did not go down well with the fans of the fifties.
markalson1938 2 years ago
Wow.
Saw a vid with him and Patti Page and it seemed very awkward.
I see strange similarities between him and David Bowie - the bisexual deal being one of the biggest ones.
mustangcharger 1 year ago
However. . Johnnie never got a chance much to explain his nature. Never did he have a spotlight for his personal thoughts. He olny had his music. Gather, he only had ? songs writen by his mouth. and yet Morrissey is one of the singers I trust knows his Voice I will say, Strange Simailarites are not with David Bowie. Johnie has More in common with Morrissey. 512-573-7416 ask for Michael strange . son of Randy RAY. I will tell you the truth.
drakeboorer 1 year ago
@markalson1938 How sad huh? I was living in Oregon when "Cry" first came out ! Loved it.
jackierave 1 year ago
my father used to play this kind of music when i was young. but now am beginning to appreciate it.
argiepig 2 years ago 2
Well I guess it's never to late.
markalson1938 2 years ago
One thing i remember very well when i see such old stuff is the TV serial The Refugee with David Jansen.
globe255 2 years ago
my mums hero , she died this june ,love you mum .xx
punkydebful 2 years ago
Thanks John for the response. Juan
juan58102 2 years ago
What is the tittle of the second song he is singing ? Thanks Juan Salinas
juan58102 2 years ago
The title of that song is "If I Had You" I can find no record of him ever making a recording of this song in the U.S.. But I heard that he did record it in England in the 60's.
markalson1938 2 years ago
bioshock brought me here.
Bazgann 2 years ago
Oh, I love this kind of music! I'm 31 and was born in the wrong time. Thanks for sharing this. :)
KayEn78 2 years ago 4
im 16 and still loving this kinda music , go this makes me smile :)
arniemonkeyboy 2 years ago 5
IMHO this blows the Prisonaires version out of the water.
ElComadreja777 2 years ago
Try making a remix of that then.
louisethechef 2 years ago
the only good songs are from the past
GraboidxHunter 2 years ago 3
Saw him in Las Vegas in 1959. He brought the house down. Also the folks in the audience were dressed up. Dam, those were days of glamour and style.
Loved Johnnie Ray!!
Robert11xyz 2 years ago 5
Yes, Robert, you've certainly got that right!
39Martyman 2 years ago
ahh i wish i was able to of done that , being born in 1992 with a mind that loved music from the past , really gets on my nerves
arniemonkeyboy 2 years ago
putz !
wascat16 2 years ago
Bioschock, awesome ;)
Corssair2012 2 years ago 3
Memories...Memories
Thank You So Much
sessnazx 2 years ago
thats cool
readingalan 2 years ago
im nly 14 but i love old songs :) wish i was alive when the good songs where out ... x good old times x lovely song
JUSTIN123POWELL 2 years ago 20
Im 15 and i love old songs too ;)
Corssair2012 2 years ago 15
@Corssair2012 Must be some older crooner/singer/rapper you can get with, son.I can think of several who would do, and thank you for your interest. But Johnny's gone.
raydog699 1 year ago
I feel sory for you kids, you are missing out on a lot of things that we had fifty or so years ago. Everthing wasn't perfect back in the fifties but and life wasn't as easy as today but that is the problem. I don't remember anyone in my generation talk about being bored. My Grand Kids
have everthing you can buy, but they really have nothing. I wouldn't traid places with them.
markalson1938 2 years ago
thats frankie laine you idiot
hes probably more renown than johnnie ray(although he doesnt sing as well as johnnie)
Wittkopp94 2 years ago
Who`s the four eyed git rabbiting on at the start?
telstar9 2 years ago
If you had read some of the comments before yours, you would have found out that git as you call him is just one of the biggest singers of the 1950's. That's Frankie Laine and this was his TV show.
markalson1938 2 years ago
Apologies markalston I typed before I read the comments I have nothing but respect for Frankie Lane and Johnny Ray.
telstar9 2 years ago
is good remember old times,lovely melody!
gladietita 2 years ago
Fantastic! Saw him here in Australia in the 50's. The memories come flooding back.
marlenb1943 2 years ago
Very few singers have such a distinctive voice that you can hear a couple of notes and know who it is. The great Johnny Ray is one of them.
skipper8257 2 years ago 2
Johnnie bought me my first bottle of champagne on my birthday. The day he showed me his star in front and west of the Pantages, he was just as a little kid. The day we lost him, I'd lost contact of his family, Chuch J., Lilly T & Jane W., June W, etc., so being in San Marino in real estate, I cancelled all my appts and at 3:20PM was standing over his star as they'd not allow me in at Cedars-Sinai. His obit says he made his transition at 3:25 that day... I miss you Johnnie, DonStM
AlexiyDonSaintMichae 2 years ago
Johnny Ray was, and still is my Hero. When I was 19 I tried to sing his song Cry where ever there was a possibility. Now 66 years of age, I'm singing Standards in my own Jazz Combo and still want to sing Cry, but the other guys don't want to play it. Maybe when we put a little swing in it?
I just wanted to say that Cry is still a very good song.
snorrewim 2 years ago
You said that it was your Jazz Combo, so tell them to play it or hit the road. But really not everyone could sing this song. Only two singers that tried I thought did a great job. Johnnie's and the version that came out at the same time by Georgia Gibbs. Georgia version was completly different than Johnnies. Other versions by Christal Gale or Ronnie Dove just so so at best.
markalson1938 2 years ago
Johnny Ray had some beautiful songs. Love The Little White Cloud that Cried. He put such total feeling into each song as did Frankie Lane and another of my favorites Harry Belafonte. The singers from that period were and still are to my way of thinking the best. The songs made a bit more sense at that time too. Would like to correspond with anyone that feels the same way. Thanks for bringing these back for pure pleasure. God bless.
Dragonese1 2 years ago 2
Thanks for having access to so many of my old favorites. I grew up with these. My dad used to sing these and play them on the piano. See that you have one large collections. Guy Mitchell I have not heard of since "Hit Parade". Rosemary Clooney and the rest are classics, my daughters love them as much as I do. Words meant something then. Thanks and God bless.
Dragonese1 2 years ago
Your very welcome. My tase in music run almost all to the early fifties singers. After Frankie Laine and Vaughn Monroe, Johnnie was my favorited singer. But I didn't like him till this song came out.
markalson1938 2 years ago
Love him or hate him ,he was a "one off",i loved him.saw him at the london palladium in about 1953.
peejay33950 2 years ago
bloody terrific
fjbutch 2 years ago
he was a great singer...period !!!!!!!!!!!!
beverlyr222 2 years ago
5×××××!!!!!
pircsi55 2 years ago
Comment removed
thewalpoleone 2 years ago
....getting soaking wet,,,,,
Lochgorm 2 years ago 2
Johnnie was and is cool.
tealeafsen 2 years ago 3
HURRY UP
hiitsme3love128 2 years ago
real music.Real talk
djbjam 3 years ago 2
Played our 45 to bits!
fluxgenerator 3 years ago
He couldn't have been deaf and sing.
marcmgm 3 years ago
Loved it too! All the good ones are gone! Speak soon, L J
challismiller 3 years ago
Hey Johnny Ray was way WAY ahead of his time: He's wearing an ear-monitor! Now they're wireless, of course, but I had no idea they existed then.
bluerailroad 3 years ago
That was a hearing aid, if you read the comments above you would have known the man was deaf and had been since a child hood accident.
markalson1938 3 years ago
i heard he fell with a straw that went into his ear as a child..im only 35 years old but im a bass player and a life long lover of the history of music..people forget JR was before elvis....i find his life facinating..ive always been curious about his relationship with columnist dorothy kilgallen (whats my line panalist):)
Damian
sprintbass 2 years ago 2
When he was a boy at summer camp, he was being tossed up in the air on a blanket by other kids. One time he missed the blanket and hit the ground hard. He was poked in the ear by a stick or something sharp. This is how he lost his hearing.
Yes he had a thing with Dorthy and her husband knew it and didn't care. The story was that Johnnie was gay but I guess he was what you might call a switch hiter.
markalson1938 2 years ago
Guys like that weren't switch hitters, they were just gay and trying to get under the radar by having affairs with women to fool the masses. Just the way it was and thank the Lord it ain't that way no more.
Deshard62 2 years ago
I stand corrected. What was his biggest hit? 1951 I was only 6 years old so I don't remember. But I do remember hearing Hank Williams.
blueblazer68 3 years ago
This was Johnny's biggest hit, but Frankie Lane was the biggest star of the time. Days gone by never to return.
blueblazer68 3 years ago
No it was not his biggest hit, his biggest hit came in 1951 when it came in at #1. It was only his 2d recording. It sold almost 3 million recordings that year. "Just Walking In The Rain" Hit #2 (For one week) in 1956.
markalson1938 3 years ago
the white nat king cole
juncajon 3 years ago