Comments on: More on Hal Miller and the Rays

By: james taylor

james taylor — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:37:44 +0000

another point about AN ANGEL CRIED..by the rays is that THE GREAT CHUCK JACKSON USED THE SAME BAND BACKING ON HIS song called KING OF THE MOUNTAIN~~ have a listen to his ENCORE album on WAND 655……killer.

By: David Cace

David Cace — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:12:30 +0000

SYU – Like I said in my brief little write-up, I can’t recall where I heard this story. But when I did hear it years ago, it stuck in my brain as something unique probably because Ed Sullivan was one of the few people who gave Rock’n'Roll groups any acknowledgement or legitimacy in those early days and it seemed quite sad that here you have 4 young guys from nowhere – sound familar – who get a big break and wind up getting into a car accident on the way to the big show – Not Buddy Hollyish by any stretch but nonetheless sad. I figured guys like you who use the internet for research would be far better qualified than I to find confirmation of this story I heard many years ago. I really don’t have anything more to add at this point. Thanks for checking on google.

By: Len Gersten

Len Gersten — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 07:24:44 +0000

David, you continue to astound me with your vast knowledge of everything Frankie Valli/Four Seasons!! It was indeed a pleasure meeting you (and your lovely wife) just a couple of weeks ago at John Lloyd Young’s appearance at Jazz at Lincoln Center. And as for Ted, all I can say is that if I was ever a contestant on a all-Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons-category “Jeopardy” game show, and had you and David as the other contestants, I would probably get shut-out on every question!!! You both do a great job of providing much information about this historical musical act. Thank you for your excellent contributions to the JBB. I look forward to your future postings.

By: Ted Hammond

Ted Hammond — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 04:35:04 +0000

Perhaps it’s the falsetto and doo-wop singing style in “Here I Stand”, at least by the Rip Chords, that is reminiscent of the Four Seasons, stubbleyou. The mother up the street who drove the neighbor kids to school said it was the Four Seasons, though I did see a copy of a local radio station’s playlist a little later, which listed it at #57 and said it was by the Rip Chords. It was on the chart during the chart run of “Walk Like A Man”, Ain’t That A Shame”, and “Soon (I’ll Be Home Again)”. In recent years, I wondered if the Rip Chords released it at that time because the singing style was so popular.

By: stubbleyou

stubbleyou — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 20:57:12 +0000

Fascinating, David. Where did you hear this? A google search for pictures of the group shows at least one (the one in the middle, and maybe also the one on our right) of the three backup singers does appear to part of the Rays. Either way, the harmonies as sung on Ed Sullivan sound richer and fuller than on the recorded version. "Here I Stand," Ted? Awright! I haven't heard anyone even mention, let alone play that record since the mid-60's. It never reminded me of the Four Seasons, though; more reminiscent, in my opinion, of Mickey and Sylvia's "Love Is Strange," particularly in the second half. Then again, I only know the Rip Chords' version, decidedly different from their second hit, "Hey Little Cobra."