Diversion: show 12: A Ray McVay Special! - 19/03/2007 
Monday, March 19, 2007, 14:04 - Playlists, Radio Shows, Specials, Ray McVay
Ray McVay was born in Gourock, Scotland, and started playing clarinet and sax at the age of 15. After a stint of National service in the Royal Tank Regiment, Ray's musical career started in the 50's when he became the Musical Director for Larry Parnes, through which he worked with stars including Billy Fury, Gene Vincent (Ray provided the tenor sax solo on Gene's 'Pistol Packin' Mama), and Eddie Cochran, among others. In 1960, Ray was on tour when he gave up his seat in a taxi to Eddie Cochran, who later died when the taxi crashed into a lamp post.

Ray was approached by Eric Morley, the founder of Miss World, to start his own big band to provide music for the Mecca Leisure venues in the UK. Although the idea seems somewhat alien these days, Mecca dancehalls were the place to be on a Saturday night in the UK in the 60's, and Ray was there, providing the music.

Ray also led the band for another Eric Morley project, the TV show Come Dancing. Ray's output at this time became more traditional and cha-cha-cha-inspired, as the dancehall scene became more about ballroom dancing and less about rock 'n' roll and northern soul.

Ray has won numerous awards for his music, including the Carl-Alan award for most Popular British Dance Band.

A long-time fan of Glenn Miller, after his Come Dancing stint, Ray brokered a deal to direct the Glenn Miller Orchestra UK, and continues to tour the world with them to this day.

Ray McVay, Mecca dancehall king, and provider of groovy sounds, we salute you!

Incidentally, don't you think he also looks like Jason King? Oh Yeah!



Longest introduction to a playlist so far? You bet. So here we go! A Ray McVay special! Once again the show has been cut short (by about 4 songs *RAGE!*). You can go to the album covers section for even more info, including album cover shots!



(01. Coffee Song - Ole McVay)

02. Light my Fire - Showcase Ray McVay and his Orchestra

03. Fly me the the Moon - Showcase Ray McVay and his Orchestra

04. Galveston - Showcase Ray McVay and his Orchestra

05. El Condor Pasa - Ray McVay Plays

06. This Girl's in Love with You - Showcase Ray McVay and his Orchestra

07. Sunlit Stream - Ole McVay

08. Mission Impossible - Showcase Ray McVay and his Orchestra

****I can't beleve no-one got this one! Last week's competition sound effect was the merchant from the truly wonderful Resident Evil 4. Ah well, guess it's rollover time!****

09. ??????????? - ????????? (competition music)

10. Theme from 2001 - Ray McVay Roadshow

11. Time is Tight - Showcase Ray McVay and his Orchestra

12. Soul Finger - We Got Soul

13. Mas Que Nada - Ole McVay

14. Aquarius - Showcase Ray McVay and his Orchestra

15. Greensleeves - Ray McVay Plays

16. Popcorn - Ray McVay Roadshow

17. Sultana - Come Dancing to the Hits of Today

18. Revenge - The Easy Project

19. Oh Happy Day - Showcase Ray McVay and his Orchestra



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