Singer-songwriter from Long Branch, New Jersey, who was a member of The Establishment and The Valtairs before joining The Moments. Sylvia Robinson hired him to replace John Moore. He and Sylvia sang together on 1973’s “Sho Nuff Boogie”. His first turn as lead singer with the group was a remake of The Ink Spots’ “If I Didn’t Care”, which peaked at #7 on the R&B chart.
He co-wrote much of the group’s material, such as 1974’s “Sexy Mama”, a #3 R&B hit that crossed over to #17 on the pop chart. In 1975, “Look at Me (I’m in Love)” soared as high as Harry’s tenor vocals, topping the R&B chart and grazing the top 40 on the pop chart.
When Harry, Al Goodman and Billy Brown left All Platinum to sign with Polydor, the Robinsons wouldn’t allow them to take the name “The Moments” with them. Hence, the first album with their new label was the self-titled Ray, Goodman & Brown, in 1979. Again, Ray co-penned several of the songs with Al Goodman, including “Another Day”, “Inside of You”, and “Slipped Away”. In 1980, they once again claimed the top spot on the R&B chart, and reached the top five on the pop chart, with “Special Lady”.
Harry quit the band in 1982 to take another shot as a solo artist—he had released “Ride Your Pony Girl” backed with “Best Thing for Me” in 1974—and gave the world It’s Good to Be Home. In 1986, he re-joined the group in time for them to hit the R&B top ten one last time with the title track from Take it to the Limit. They released Mood for Lovin’ in 1988, but it would turn out to be Harry’s last album of new material with the group. On 1st October 1992, he died of complications from a stroke. He was buried in White Ridge Cemetery in Eatontown, New Jersey.
Fortunately for The Moments and Ray, Goodman & Brown aficionados, Harry left much to remember him by. Veteran fans and newcomers alike could do worse than 1996’s The Best of Ray, Goodman & Brown and Best of the Moments: Love on a Two-Way Street. The latter boasts one of Harry’s solo singles, “I’m Willing”, and an alternate version of “Sexy Mama”. It’s Good to Be Home was released on CD in 2008.
The Moments recordings
Jack in the Box (Al Goodman/ Tommy Keith/Harry Ray)
All Platinum 6146 318 (UK single)
Sources:
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- http://mog.com/blog_post/content/518/214155
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- http://www.amazon.com/Its-Good-To-Be-Home/dp/B001A3A9QQ
- http://www.top40db.net/find/Songs.asp?By=Author&ID=25521&Match=Harry+Ray