Oregon’s own ‘father of rock and roll' Johnnie Ray would have been 95 today. The iconic singer and songwriter was born on January 10, 1927, in Dallas, Oregon. Though he was partially deaf, Ray showed incredible musical talent at a young age. As a teenager, he sang professionally on Portland radio stations. By the early 1950s, he was a national sensation. His unique bluesy sound, coupled with his emotional performances, thrilled audiences and ushered in a new era of music -- known as rock and rol

24K views · 1.1K reactions | BIRTHDAY ON THIS DAY 1927 Johnnie Ray is born in Hopewell, Oregon. He becomes one of the most popular performers of the '50s, his career waning with the rise of rock and roll. #rockabillyitalia | Rockabilly Italia | Facebook