Ray Harris
Ray Harris, actually Homer Raymond Harris ( born September 7, 1927 in Mantachie, Mississippi; † 13 November 2003 in More, Mississippi ) was an American rockabilly musician who was known for his harsh songs at Sun Records in particular.
- 2.1 Singles
- 2.2 albums
Life
Childhood and youth
Ray Harris grew up near Tupelo. His childhood was characterized primarily by an asthma disease. His parents, who were both musically talented, occurred on weekends at local Barn Dances, which the young Harris attended. At age 17, he volunteered for the United States Air Force. After his return drew Harris, who was now married and had two daughters, to Memphis (Tennessee).
Career
In Memphis, Harris found a job at the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, in which Bill Black also worked. Black told Harris that he was making shots with a young singer named Elvis Presley. Harris was allowed to watch at a recording session, while Presley Good Rocking Tonight grossed. Harris was impressed by the new, rhythmically completely different style that would later be called Rockabilly and decided also to become a musician. With his friend, guitarist Wayne Cogswell, he formed a band and performed at local events.
In 1956, Harris and Cogswell presented with Sam Phillips, owner of Sun Records, before and were taken from him under contract. Harris ' first single was released on 20 October 1956 with the harsh Come On Little Mama, which sold well regionally. Although already defused the alternative version of the title was released, the song was as incredible, " rough and raw". In the summer of 1957 was followed by a second single, the interpreted with a completely new rhythm and arrangement Traditional Greenback Dollar, Watch and Chain. The piece was recorded during one of the " Sun - parties ", where also many other Sun artists were present. Harris recalled: "To be perfectly honest, we were drinking the night we cut it. The more we drank, the better the song sounded. " Here a fuzzified version was released again. Then Harris still played an a couple of demos, but then left Sun since his music was to sell specifically and not the commercial audience.
In 1957, Harris, along with the musicians Bill Cantrell and Quinton Claunch and the music store owner Joe Cuoghi the label Hi Records in Memphis. In the aftermath Harris worked as a producer and worked with the cousin of Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl McVoy, together. As an A & R manager, he was able to record several hits in the 1960s with artists such as Bill Black, Ace Cannon, Jerry Jaye and Jumpin ' Gene Simmons.
Later years and death
In 1970, Harris in Tupelo a construction company and the mid- 1970s, he decided to lead with Sam Phillips recording studio. However, the project went wrong, and Harris lost his life savings. In addition, Phillips now turned completely away from him, even if Harris ' daughter was married to his youngest son. After Harris was co-owner of a small studio in Saltillo ( Mississippi).
After a bypass operation in the 1980s to put him firmly in throat cancer. However, Harris fought the disease and began again sporadically occur. In March 2003, he recorded the album Raw'N'Rockin ', which contained his old songs and new.
He was honored with induction into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
Discography
Singles
- Come On Little Mama ( alt. version )
- Greenback Dollar, Watch and Chain (alt. version )
- Lonely Wolf
- I'm Winning Now
- Love Dumb Baby
( Come On Little Mama, Greenback Dollar, Watch and Chain and Lonely Wolf were later published in the CD series That'll Flat Git It at the label Bear Family. )
Albums
- 2003: Raw'N'Rockin '