James Ray - If You Gotta Make A Fool Of Somebody (Original Stereo)

James stood only 5' tall and at the time he was discovered he was destitute living on a rooftop in Washington, D.C. Rudy Clark wrote much of what James recorded including this his only hit from December of 1961, "If You Gotta Make A Fool Of Somebody". When the Beatles came to the U.S. in 1964, they became acquainted with this recording, and John Lennon was so taken with it that he bought a copy just to put on his jukebox back home. James Ray died in 1964 from a drug overdose.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• James Ray
• If You Gotta Make A Fool
• Of Somebody
• Rudy Clark

[johntorrington]

He was so Willie John, right down to the overdose.

[jelwallf2]

Thanks! A hit here in Australia, too.

[larrynealwaxmuseum]

Believe me.This was a very big record here in OKC on our local top 40 radio station. One of my all time favorites to come out of the year 1961. Good Post.

Larry N. Boyington, aka Larry Neal, former curator of the Wax Museum on the big 1520 KOMA

[TheClam88]

released xmastime 1961

[vinylsingleman]

Should add that he did have a follow-up hit, "Itty Bitty Pieces".

[BlackMonk66]

The Beatles would have to have known the recording before 1964. Paul McCartney says that the Freddie and the Dreamers version was based on their's, and that came out in 1963.

[MysticSojourner]

Who could possibly love and appreciate this tune by James Ray, if not those of us who are hopelessly sentimental? Who could possibly impart so much information about the song and the artist, if not someone who really knows what he is talking about? Who could possibly preserve this classic oldie, if not someone who is willing to expend some thought and creative energy? Thank you again, Nocaro!

[KissMeQuk]

Interesting info on James Ray... Beautiful song... Thanks for sharing...