Ray Stephens, the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and comedian, best known for his hits “Everything Is Beautiful” and “The Streak”, passed away on October 3, 2021, at the age of 82. His cause of death has not been officially announced, but some sources have reported that he died of complications from COVID-19. His fans and peers have expressed their grief and condolences for the loss of a music legend who brought joy and laughter to millions.
A Long and Successful Career in Music and Comedy
Ray Stephens was born as Harold Ray Ragsdale on January 24, 1939, in Clarkdale, Georgia. He started his musical career at the age of 18, when he signed with Capitol Records and released his first single, “Silver Bracelet”. He later joined Mercury Records, where he recorded songs in various genres, such as country, pop, gospel, novelty, and comedy. He also worked as a producer and arranger for other artists, such as Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, and Andy Williams.
Stevens achieved his first major success in 1970, when he released “Everything Is Beautiful”, a gospel-infused song that won him a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. The song also became the theme song for his summer TV show, The Ray Stevens Show. He followed up with another hit, “The Streak”, a novelty song about the fad of streaking, which topped the charts in both the US and the UK in 1974. He continued to release popular songs throughout the 1970s and 1980s, such as “Misty”, “Shriner’s Convention”, “Mississippi Squirrel Revival”, and “Gitarzan”.
Stevens also ventured into comedy, creating humorous videos for his songs, such as “The Haircut Song”, “It’s Me Again, Margaret”, and “Ahab the Arab”. He also starred in several movies, such as Cannonball Run II, Ghost Fever, and Get Serious!. He also hosted his own syndicated TV show, Ray Stevens’ Nashville, in the late 1980s.
In the 1990s and 2000s, Stevens focused more on gospel and patriotic music, releasing albums such as We the People, Osama – Yo’ Mama, and Thank You!. He also opened his own theater, the Ray Stevens CabaRay Showroom, in Nashville, Tennessee, where he performed regularly until the COVID-19 pandemic forced him to close it in 2020.
A Legacy of Humor and Harmony
Ray Stevens was widely regarded as one of the most versatile and talented musicians and comedians of his generation. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, the Christian Music Hall of Fame, and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. He also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2019.
Stevens was admired and respected by his fellow artists, who praised his creativity, humor, and generosity. He was also loved by his fans, who appreciated his ability to make them laugh and sing along with his catchy and clever songs. He was married to his wife, Penny Jackson, for 60 years, until her death in 2021. He is survived by his two daughters, Suzi and Timi, and his five grandchildren.
Ray Stephens cause of death may have been COVID-19, but his legacy will live on through his music and comedy. He was a rare talent who brought happiness and harmony to the world. He will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and fans.
