Little Ray

Little Ray also known as Ray Jimenez, (b. - ) was an East Los Angeles, Chicano rock and brown-eyed soul musician, prominent in the 1960s who sang up tempo Rhythm and Blues. Little Ray was born in Delano, California. His first record was “There’s Something On Your Mind.”

Little Ray sang briefly with Thee Midniters, another East Los Angeles band. He then sang with Little Ray & the Progressions, which became the Little Ray Revue.

Background

Personal

He was born in Delano, California and grew up in the area. His brothers worked at a fast food stand and behind the stand was a jukebox. As a boy he would sing along with it. He would memorize songs heard on the jukebox by artists such as Elvis Presley, Little Richard and Fats Domino. Later he moved to Los Angeles. He was schooled at Salesian and Gafield High Schools.

Music career

He started singing in the late 1950s. His first single "There Is Something On Your Mind" was released on Dore Records in or around 1960. In 1962, with backing band The Premiers, he recorded a live single "Shake, Shout And Soul" which was recorded at the Santa Monica Civc. The single was backed with "Soul & Stomp" and released on Tony Hilder's Impact Records label.