From:   "Dik de Heer" 
Date:  Fri Feb 8, 2002  1:14 am
Subject:  Born To Be With You : Ray Sharpe
 
RAY SHARPE

Born Edward Ray Sharpe, 8 February 1938, Fort Worth, Texas

Singer / guitarist / songwriter

Unusual for a black young man, Sharpe was inspired by country music
rather than the blues to take up the guitar. Rock and roll would later become
the driving force behind Ray's music, with Chuck Berry being a particular
favourite, which can be heard clearly in his guitar playing.
His first record was "Oh My Baby's Gone"/"That's The Way I Feel" (1958)
for Dot. His next release (also recorded in Phoenix and produced by Lee
Hazlewood) was "Red Sails In The Sunset"/"Linda Lu" on Jamie in 1959.
"Linda Lu", originally the B-side, was an afterthought and very nearly not
recorded at all. Suddenly a DJ in Los Angeles turned the record over and
things began to happen for "Linda Lu", peaking at # 46 in the Billboard pop
charts. Jamie withdrew the original A-side (because "Red Sails In The
Sunset" was not owned by Hazlewood's publishing company) and replaced
it with "Monkey's Uncle", a great Chuck Berry styled rocker which was wasted
in this way and should have been the follow up single. Four further singles on
Jamie followed, as well as releases on Gregmark, Trey and Park Central, but
"Linda Lu" would remain Sharpe's sole chart entry.
Ian Wallis writes in the Bear Family booklet: "In the end record sales and chart
appearances have not made a lot of difference to Ray Sharpe. He is a masterful
guitarist, above average singer and a seasoned entertainer with a repertoire of
material so wide that he can satisfy the needs of the most demanding audience."

CD: Ray Sharpe, Linda Lu (Bear Family BCD 15888). Twenty-seven tracks from
1958-1962.