Johnnie ray children

Johnnie Ray Biography

He is considered by many people to be the father of 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 publicity agent.

He became deaf in his right ear at age 12 due to a freak accident, and would often perform wearing a hearing aid.

A later operation left him almost completely deaf in both ears.

Ray first attracted attention while performing at the Flame Showbar in Detroit, an r&b nightclub where he was the only white performer. Inspired by rhythm singers like Kay Starr, LaVern Baker and Ivory Joe Hunter he developed a unique rhythm-based style that was far closer to what would become known as "rock 'n' roll" than any other music of the time.

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