Johnnie Ray
AKA:
The Prince of Wails
Birth Name:
John Alvin Ray
Birth Date:
January 10, 1927
Birth Place:
The Dalles, Oregon
Death Date:
February 24, 1990
Place of Death:
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
Age:
63
Cause of Death:
Hepatic encephalopathy resulting from liver failure
Cemetery Name:
Hopewell Cemetery
Claim to Fame:
Music
In the early 1950s, Johnnie Ray was arguably the biggest musical star in the world. His emotional singing and sexually suggestive performances earned him the titles "The Prince of Wails," "The Cry Guy," and "The Million Dollar Teardrop," and put him at the top of the music charts. From Sydney to Chicago to London, teenage riots erupted wherever Ray performed. Sadly his songs seemed hopelessly dated after "Rock Around The Clock" came out, let alone "Hound Dog" or "Maybelline." If that wasn't bad enough, an ear surgery in 1958 robbed him of even more of his hearing.
Cemetery Information:
Final Resting Place:
Hopewell Cemetery
21600 SE Church Road
Dayton, Oregon, 97114
USA
North America
Grave Location Description
His grave is close to the center of the new section of this small, rural cemetery. His parents are buried together in the old section.
Grave Location GPS
45.103547575412996, -123.10246171253225Photos:
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Read More About Johnnie Ray:
Videos Featuring Johnnie Ray:
Johnnie Ray - Cry
Johnnie Ray - Interview and Hit Medley, 1977 TV
Johnnie Ray - Walking My Baby Back Home (1968)
Johnnie Ray - Yes Tonight, Josephine HD
What's My Line? - Johnnie Ray (Aug 22, 1954)
Johnnie Ray's last interview
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