| Ray Smith | |
| Background: | solo_singer |
| Birth Place: | Melber, Kentucky, United States |
| Birth Date: | October 30, 1934 |
| Death Place: | Ontario, Canada[1] |
| Genre: | Rock and roll, rockabilly, R&B, country |
| Occupation: | Singer, songwriter, musician |
| Instrument: | Vocals, piano, guitar |
| Years Active: | 1956–1979 |
| Label: | Sun Records Judd Records Vee-Jay Records Tollie Records Smash Records Boot Records Various independent record labels |
| Associated Acts: | Ray Smith and the Country Boys (1956) |
| Website: | Ray Smith's Rockabilly Hall of Fame page |
Ray Smith (October 30, 1934 – November 29, 1979)[2] was an American rockabilly musician.
Smith recorded for Vee-Jay Records, Tollie Records, Smash Records, Sun Records and Boot Records during his career, and had a hit with the song "Rockin' Little Angel" in 1960 on Judd Records.[3] "Rockin' Little Angel" took a portion of its melody from the 1844 song "Buffalo Gals".[4] The record sold over one million copies, earning a gold disc.[5] It reached #22 on the Billboard Hot 100.[6] Smith often recorded material written by Charlie Rich, and was influenced by Elvis Presley.[3] Smith gave a concert at "Karregat" Hall in Eindhoven on April 21, 1979. It is recorded on an album called The Rocking Side and released by a Dutch label (Rockhouse, LP 7909).
Smith committed suicide on November 29, 1979, at the age of 45.[4] Smith's Judd and Sun singles and session material have been released on Germany's Bear Family Records.