
Ray McVay was born in Gourock, Scotland, and started playing clarinet and sax at the age of 15. After a stint of National service in the Royal Tank Regiment, Ray's musical career started in the 50's when he became the Musical Director for Larry Parnes, through which he worked with stars including Billy Fury, Gene Vincent (Ray provided the tenor sax solo on Gene's 'Pistol Packin' Mama), and Eddie Cochran, among others. In 1960, Ray was on tour when he gave up his seat in a taxi to Eddie Cochran, who later died when the taxi crashed into a lamp post. Ray was approached by Eric Morley, the founder of Miss World, to start his own big band to provide music for the Mecca Leisure venues in the UK. Although the idea seems somewhat alien these days, Mecca dancehalls were the place to be on a Saturday night in the UK in the 60's, and Ray was there, providing the music. Ray also led the band for another Eric Morley project, the TV show Come Dancing. Ray's output at this time became more traditional and cha-cha-cha-inspired, as the dancehall scene became more about ballroom dancing and less about rock 'n' roll and northern soul. Ray has won numerous awards for his music, including the Carl-Alan award for most Popular British Dance Band. A long-time fan of Glenn Miller, after his Come Dancing stint, Ray brokered a deal to direct the Glenn Miller Orchestra UK, and continues to tour the world with them to this day
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