Harry Ray was a singer and songwriter who rose to fame as a member of the R&B vocal group Ray, Goodman and Brown, formerly known as The Moments. He was known for his smooth and soulful voice, and his contributions to hits such as “Love on a Two-Way Street”, “Special Lady”, and “Look at Me (I’m in Love)”. But how did Harry Ray die, and what was his legacy in the music industry? Here is what we know.
Harry Ray’s Early Life and Career
Harry Ray was born on December 15, 1946, in Long Branch, New Jersey. He began singing at an early age, and joined The Moments in 1968, replacing Mark Greene as the lead vocalist. The Moments were signed to Stang Records, a label owned by Sylvia Robinson, who later became the founder of Sugar Hill Records and the producer of the first rap hit, “Rapper’s Delight”.
The Moments had their first hit in 1968 with “Not on the Outside”, which reached No. 13 on the R&B chart and No. 57 on the Billboard Hot 100. They followed up with more successful singles, such as “Sunday”, “I Do”, “Lovely Way She Loves”, and their biggest hit, “Love on a Two-Way Street”, which topped the R&B chart and peaked at No. 3 on the pop chart in 1970. The Moments also recorded several albums, including Not on the Outside, But on the Inside, Strong!, On Top, and Look at Me.
In 1978, The Moments changed their name to Ray, Goodman and Brown, after leaving Stang Records and signing with Polydor Records. They continued to produce hits, such as “Special Lady”, which reached No. 1 on the R&B chart and No. 5 on the pop chart in 1980, and “Inside of You”, which reached No. 14 on the R&B chart and No. 59 on the pop chart in 1982. Ray, Goodman and Brown also collaborated with other artists, such as Luther Vandross, The Whispers, and The Manhattans.
Harry Ray’s Cause of Death and Legacy
Harry Ray suffered a fatal stroke and died on October 1, 1992, at age 45. He was replaced by Kevin “Ray” Owens, who had previously filled in for him when he was ill. Ray’s death was a shock to his fans and fellow musicians, who mourned the loss of a talented and beloved singer.
Harry Ray’s cause of death was a stroke, according to Music Finder1 and Wikipedia. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted, causing brain cells to die. The symptoms of a stroke may include sudden weakness, numbness, confusion, vision problems, speech difficulties, and severe headache. The risk factors for a stroke may include high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, obesity, and heart disease.
Harry Ray’s legacy lives on through his music, which has been sampled, covered, and praised by many artists, such as Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, and Mariah Carey. He is also remembered as a pioneer of the R&B genre, and a member of one of the most successful vocal groups of all time. Ray, Goodman and Brown were inducted into the R&B Music Hall of Fame in 2014, and received the Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 2015. Harry Ray’s voice will always be a part of the soundtrack of our lives.
