|
Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZSTEVENS, Ray(b Harold Ray Ragsdale, 24 January 1939, Clarkdale GA) Entertainer who began with a smash novelty hit and turned out to have a long shelf-life. He was a disc jockey at 15, studied music at Georgia State U, made singles including 'Jeremiah Peabody's Poly Unsaturated Quick Dissolving Fast Acting Pleasant Tasting Green And Purple Pills' (top 40 '61), then to no. 5 with wacky 'Ahab The Arab' '62 (album 1,837 Seconds Of Humour). More minor hits and work in Nashville studios with Dolly Parton, Waylon Jennings etc were followed by a switch from Mercury to Monument, top ten 'Gitarzan' '69, then no. 1 hits on Andy Williams's Barnaby label with 'Everything Is Beautiful' '70 (also a country hit), and the topical humour of 'The Streak' '74 (album Boogity Boogity). His long string of hits big and small included 'Turn Your Radio On' '72 (title track of album of inspirational songs), country adaptation of Erroll Garner's 'Misty' '75 (won a Grammy), 'I Need Your Help Barry Manilow' '79 on WB. He was a fine straight vocalist, mixing comedy with straight vocals and good arrangements; but the novelties just wouldn't stop: 'Shriner's Convention' '80 (LP on RCA), 'Mississippi Squirrel Revival' '84, 'It's Me Again, Margaret' '85 (about nuisance phone calls). Other albums included Just For The Record '76 on WB; I Have Returned and He Thinks He's Ray Stevens '85, Surely You Joust '86 on MCA. He formed his own Clyde Records '88 and signed his daughter, Suzy Ragsdale (a successful songwriter); Ray Stevens: Comedy Video Classics '93 was one of the top-selling music videos of all time. Later albums were Crackin' Up '87 and I Never Made A Record I Didn't Like '88 on MCA; Lend Me Your Ears '90 and #1 With A Bullet '91 on Curb/Capitol. 'Mississippi Squirrel Revival' is an absolute delight: see it and hear it here. |