Ray smith biography

RAY SMITH

Born Raymond Eugene Smith, 31 October 1934, Melber, Kentucky
Died 29 November 1979, Burlington, Ontario, Canada

Although he is completely ignored in the Escott / Hawkins book about the history of Sun Records (“Good Rockin’ Tonight”, 1991), Ray Smith was an important artist on Sun.

He had five singles released on the label, equal to Billy Riley, Sonny Burgess and Warren Smith, and, unlike these artists, he scored a major hit, with “Rockin’ Little Angel”, although not on Sun. He was always in total control of his powerful, flexible voice.

Sam Phillips called him “the most intense person I ever recorded.

Ray smith cause of death

He was totally wrapped up in what he was doing”.

Ray Smith grew up in various places in Kentucky where his father supported his large family (six daughters, two sons) as a sharecropper and a sheet metal worker. His mother taught him the rudiments of piano playing and encouraged his interest in music.

Ray left home at the young age of twelve and worked several odd jobs be