Johnnie Ray

John Alvin "Johnnie" Ray (January 10, 1927 – February 24, 1990) was one of the most popular American singers of his day. He is considered by many people to be the fore runner of what would become rock 'n' roll.

John Alvin "Johnnie" Ray (January 10, 1927 – February 24, 1990) was one of the most popular American singers of his day. He is considered by many people to be the fore runner of what would become rock 'n' roll.

He was born in Dallas, Oregon, and spent part of his childhood on a farm, eventually moving to Portland. He is often mistakenly said to be of American Indian origin, due to the erroneous claims of a malicious publicity agent. He became deaf in his right ear at age 12 due to a freak accident as a Boy Scout involving a blanket toss, when he fell on the ground hitting his ear, and would often perform wearing a mauve hearing aid. A later operation left him almost completely deaf in both ears.