Ray Sharpe

Edward Ray Sharpe (born February 8, 1938) is an American R&B and rockabilly singer, guitarist, and prolific songwriter. Influenced by Chuck Berry recordings, he learned guitar and formed Ray Sharpe and the Blues Whalers in 1956, with Raydell Reese (piano) and Cornelius Bell (drums) which became popular playing rock and roll in Fort Worth clubs. Record producer Major Bill Smith once described Sharpe as "the greatest white-sounding black dude ever" and many of his recordings, including his best-known "Linda Lu'', are sometimes classed as rockabilly.

Sharpe's recording career started in Phoenix, Arizona in April 1958, with the Lee Hazlewood produced single, "That's the Way I Feel" / "Oh, My Baby's Gone" under Hamilton / Dot Records Inc. Lester Sill and Hazlewood worked closely with Ray in 1958, recording, producing and publishing many of his later songs through Gregmark Music. "Linda Lu / Monkey’s Uncle" – both sides written by Sharpe, and featuring Duane Eddy and Al Casey on guitars was a mainstay on the Billboard charts in May of 1959, reaching #46 on the Hot 100 that year. Following its success, Ray appeared on American Bandstand and toured with a Dick Clark rock and roll package that also included LaVern Baker, Duane Eddy and The Coasters. "Linda Lu" has been covered by many artists, including the Rolling Stones, The Kingsmen, Johnny Kidd and the Pirates, Flying Burrito Brothers, Ricky Van Shelton, The Ventures and Tom Jones.

Other song highlights penned by Sharpe on Gregmark include "Long John", "T.A Blues", Monkey's Uncle", "Gonna Let It Go This Time", "Givin' Up" and "Have Love Will Travel". Subsequent single releases on a variety of record labels, including Sill's and Hazlewood's own Trey label were less successful. However, Sharpe songs continue to be recorded by artists including Neil Young.