Elvis Presley News: delivered by email News Feed SMS

Ray Peterson Died

By: Elvis Australia
Source: Elvis World Japan
January 26, 2005 - 6:28:00 PM
Elvis News

Email this article
Printer friendly page

Raymond Peterson, singer: born Denton, Texas 23 April 1939; married (four sons, three daughters)

In 1958 Stan Schulman heard him singing in a club and became his manager. RCA was looking for new talent as Elvis Presley was serving in the US Army and the label wanted some new teen idols. Rod Lauren, Johnny Restivo and Ray Peterson were all signed to RCA, but only Peterson had any real success. His first single was a revival of Little Willie John's "Fever", but his record was to be eclipsed by Peggy Lee's interpretation. Further singles - "Let's Try Romance", "Tail Light" and "Shirley Purly" - did little, although it was clear that Peterson had a strong voice.

The songwriter Baker Knight had written The Wonder of You for one of RCA's top artists, Perry Como, but Como's producer did not think it suitable. As he left the office, Knight met Peterson and offered him the song. "The Wonder of You" became a Top Thirty US hit, though in the UK Peterson's version was overshadowed by a cover from Ronnie Hilton.

Elvis Presley's pianist and arranger Glen D. Hardin recalls that, when Presley returned to live performance in 1969. Elvis called and said to me, "Do you remember that old song, 'The Wonder of You'? I want to do it tomorrow night on the first show." I just said "OK" and worked through the night on the arrangement.

Presley recorded the song live and then rang Peterson to say that he was releasing it. "You don't have to ask me, you're Elvis Presley," said Peterson. "Yes, I do," said Presley, "You're Ray Peterson."

Ray Peterson & Elvis

Ray Peterson told me a story about how, on one of his many appearances on the hit music variety television show, "Shindig," in the mid 60s, Elvis Presley telephoned him. It seems that it was the 10th anniversary of Elvis Presley being in the music business & on that special "Shindig," broadcast, Ray Peterson had performed 4 of Elvis Presley's songs. Well, the phone rang & it was Elvis Presley. The "King Of Rock & Roll," was in town filming a movie & he had seen the show. Elvis asked Ray if he could possibly have lunch with him that day. Well when "The King Of Rock & Roll," summoned you to lunch, you didn't exactly turn him down.

Over lunch Elvis told Ray how much he had enjoyed Ray's performances of his songs and he wanted to know if it would be alright with Ray, If he recorded one of Rays songs, "The Wonder of You," on his next album.

"Can you believe that. Here's Elvis Presley asking permission to record one of my songs. Of course he didn't need my permission, but it was just a great gesture, by a great guy".

"The Wonder of You," went on to become Elvis Presley's biggest selling ballad. Elvis & Ray became very good friends & remained so, until Elvis' untimely death in 1977.

Ray Peterson, singer of 'Tell Laura I Love Her' died Smyrna, TN, 25 Jan. 2005.

This article © Copyright Elvis Australia : No part of this article maybe re-printed for public display without permission.

	[Home] [Elvis Shop Home] [Contact] [Top]
Elvis Presley News: delivered by email News Feed SMS

Recommended Shop items : CDs, DVDs and Books

Boxcar Enterprises Elvis : Aloha Via Satellite Deluxe Hardcover Book
Elvis : Back In Memphis : FTD Special Edition 2 CD [7" Classic Album Presentation]
Elvis Country (I'm 10,000 Years Old) : FTD Special Edition 2 CD [7" Classic Album Presentation]
The Complete Louisiana Hayride Archives 1954-1956 CD From MRS : CD / 100 page book

The MRS / JAT Productions release of The Complete Louisiana Hayride Archives 1954-1956 CD is a dream come true but I can't as there was no anticipation something like this would ever be released. For years now we have had the basic el cheapo compilation of the basic tracks but now we have a full CD with a running time of over 75 minutes that gives a very good overview of Elvis in concert in the 1950s. This CD is presented exactly the same as the MRS releases Off Duty With Private Presley Book Deluxe CD set, Tupelo Welcomes Home Elvis Presley Deluxe CD set and Such A Night in Pearl Harbor CD and 100 page Book set.
The Elvis Files : Elvis from 1953-1977 [Photo Books]
The Elvis I Knew by Charlie Hodge DVD [Elvis Presley Documenetary and Concerts on DVD]
Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD [Elvis Presley Documenetary and Concerts on DVD] [Below]

Video Preview: Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD

Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD + 16 page booklet. Never before have we seen an Elvis concert from the 50's with sound. Until Now! The DVD Contains recently discovered Unreleased Film of Elvis performing 6 songs, including Heartbreak Hotel and Don’t Be Cruel, live in Tupelo Mississippi 1956. Included we see a live performance of the elusive Long Tall Sally seen here for the first time ever. This is an excellent release no fan should be without it. The 'parade' footage is good to see as it puts you in the right context with color and b&w footage. The interviews of Elvis' Parents are well worth hearing too. The afternoon show footage is wonderful and electrifying : Here is Elvis in his prime rocking and rolling in front of 11.000 people.

Loading the player ...

Macromedia Flash Player 9.1+ required to play this video. Apple iPad Compatible. If connection is slow, once downloading has completed, you can play it uninterrupted as many times as you like. Read more .