The Rays: Crossing over the R&B, Pop and Swing music markets. The Rays formed singing on New York streetcorners and a few Harlem club gigs during 1955 (some accounts say 1954). . They were first released on Chess Records without much chart action. They went to a smaller label XYZ records with "Silhouettes," their biggest hit single. The song peaked at #3 on the Billboard national charts in the summer of 1957. XYZ sold the rights to Cameo Records, a larger record company that could better handle national distribution. "Silhouettes" was written by Bob Crewe (who would later produce The Four Seasons string of hits on Vee Jay Records) and Frank Slay. The Rays maintained a low biographic profile. Their follow up, "Magic Moon" was a moderate hit at best, not breaking the top 40 mark. Herman's Hermits would re-make "Silhouettes" in the 60's, Bob Dylan in the 70's.

The original members of The Rays were:
Harold Miller - (lead singer)
Walter Ford - (high tenor)
David Jones - (tenor)
Harry James - (baritone)

How did this music come to be called 'Doo Wop?' When The Rays originally performed Doo Wop, the word Doo Wop was yet to be used to identify the street corner harmony.

Lore has it, a NY DJ, Gus Gossett, uttered the words "some Doo Wop gold" before playing a stretcorner harmony song like Silhouettes, little did he know the catchphrase would "stick" as the definitive term for the music and the groups. From KLUV-FM in Texas to WCBS-FM in New York, "Doo Wops" would spread. Ironically, they are more revered and popular today than they were back in the fifties when first released. DJ's Don K. Reed (WCBS-FM NY), "Golden Gup" Gascione (WMTR-A< MJ), the late Hubcap Carter (KAAM, TX). Johnny Zee (WFPS, NY)John Summers (KLUV-FM TX), would dedicate shows as "Doo Wop" hours. Among the most requested Doo Wop, The Rays' Silhouettes.

VISIT OLDIES TELEVISION'S
DOO WOP BOULEVARD
featuring DON K. REID, THE EMERALDS, FRANKIE LYMON & THE TEENAGERS
JOHNNY MAESTRO & THE CRESTS, THE KNOCKOUTS & MORE
on oldiestelevision.com CH. 81 - click here

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