Ray (1942-2022) was born in Bingley and lived in Kent Road, near the Oval housing estate. He was a consummate showman, and his on-stage antics permeated his entire musical career. In his capacity as the group's “newsmaker,” he revealed that many of his outrageous stories were greatly exaggerated for publicity purposes, and that others were pure fiction.
After attending Bingley Grammar School, he was employed by show jumper Harvey Smith, who lived in High Eldwick. But as rock and roll became all the rage, Ray realized he had a great singing voice, and he had the type of voice that local groups were looking for. His first group was the Belvaldos, followed by the Deadbeats. To supplement his singing income, he worked in a joiner's shop in Bingley and as a petrol pump attendant. Things got better when he joined the Del Rio Four as vocalist and compère and played a season with Butlins.
Stories about Ray have become legendary. He once set a piano on fire during one performance, and once drove his van through the double-locked doors of Bradford's Lyceum ballroom to get on stage, get out of the car and quietly bow. On another occasion, he aimed a fire hose at Compère. Even though his antics received extreme sanctions from the group, his talent was considered far greater than his responsibilities – he would later perform with many international artists. That judgment was confirmed when this happened.
Ray formed the Ray Kenan Combo and, as the consummate showman, equipped his band with smart dark suits, white shirts, and “Slim Jim” ties. After the Combo disbanded, he joined The Toledos, then The Quiet Three, and then the 10-piece rock'n'roll band The Governors. Ray then decided to go it alone and became a solo vocalist compere, achieving immediate success. He toured with Lulu, the Rolling Stones, Manfred Mann, and Screaming Lord Thatch. This was followed by shows by Sammy Davis Jr., Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and others at Berlin's then-famous Eden Saloon.
It is “not unusual” to learn that Tom Jones spent time working with Ray, albeit in obscurity, in the early 60s. It would be difficult to imagine this scene now. Ray Kennan and Tom Jones in a telephone booth on Cornwall Road, Bingley, are chasing a booking. Ray usually used that phone booth as his office.
He continued to compete in shows and took Blackpool by storm in one of his last shows. PJ Proby did not show up to perform at North Pier and Ray was asked to take over. His stage presence, experience, and easy-going singing style more than made up for disappointed probie fans.
Ray had the world for himself and calmly packed up his things and sneaked away. He had had enough. He later said: “There was a lot of talent in Bradford, but maybe we were a bit lazy. There was so much going on locally that a lot of us didn't bother to go to London, where the money was actually being made. We didn't seek wealth. Besides, we drove. Some of the rickety vans probably wouldn't have gotten us there. With all due respect, some of the groups were run by men who were greengrocers and butchers. He was a successful businessman, but he wasn't Brian Epstein.”
Although Ray was a successful real estate developer, he attended popular alumni rock and roll nights at the Pile Bar, the Midland Hotel, and the Hilton Hotel. He was still a showman from the rock and roll era, singing “Hello Mary Lou.” Unfortunately, my best friend passed away.
* Derek AJ Lister and co-creator Reuben Davison profile Ray and other singers, bands and musicians from Bradford's 1950s and 60s music scene on their website. Visit www.whenbradfordrocked.co.uk
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